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David Small Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 043

Summary

This collection contains Small's notes, rough drafts, typescript drafts for Almost Famous 1982 and The River in Winter 1987; the typescript drafts of two unpublished books Year of the Dog Star and Next Best Thing (much of the material of which formed the basis for Almost Famous); and an early version of Almost Famous entitled, King of Infinite Space. It also includes research materials, correspondence, notes, drafts, and galley proofs.

Dates

  • 1968-1991,
  • Majority of material found within 1978-1986

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Access unrestricted.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Photocopying and publication restricted by copyright. except by permission of copyright holder..

Biographical / Historical

David Small was born February 16, 1937 in Gardiner, Maine, the son of Harold Raymond and Madelyn Small. He graduated from Carlisle High in 1955 and studied at Hersey Junior College receiving an A.A. in 1957, Boston University in 1958 and Franklin and Marshall College where he received a degree in English Literature in 1960. He taught English in Fleischmanns and Camilus, New York from 1960-62 and did a few months as a radio announcer in Palmyra from 1962-63. Small married and divorced and has two sons, Dennison and David (deceased). Small was an Associate Executive Vice President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and has taught literature and creative writing at F & M. Almost Famous,1982 was Small's first published book. After the book's publication, Small was the David R. Sokolov fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in 1982 and then was awarded Guggenheim Fellowship which allowed him to resign from his executive post and devote himself, full-time, to the writing of fiction. He went on to write The River in Winter, 1987;, Alone, 1991 and City at Midnight, 1998. Almost Famous was named as an American Book Awards finalist in 1983.

Extent

18 Linear feet (20 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Collection: Organized into series corresponding to publication career.

Ownership and Custodial History

The David Small Papers were donated by David Small in June of 1997. Additional material was donated in November 2003.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--David Small. Address--Camp Hill, PA. Method of acquisition--Gift (ongoing); Date of acquisition--1997-.

Processing Information

Processing completed May 1998.

Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Franklin and Marshall College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3003
Lancaster PA 17604 United States