2418432 http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jm2dwc revised SNAC: Social Networks and Archival Context English VIAF revised 2015-09-18 machine CPF merge program Merge v2.0 revised 2016-08-09T17:32:45 machine SNAC EAC-CPF Parser Bulk ingest into SNAC Database revised 2016-08-09T17:32:45 human System Service (system@localhost) created 2026-05-27 machine SNAC EAC-CPF Serializer SNAC Identity Constellation serialized to EAC-CPF /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou01075.xml Lawrence, Seymour. /data/source/findingAids/umd/MdU.ead.litms.0040.xml Lawrence, Seymour /data/source/findingAids/inu/InU-Li-VAA1301.xml Lawrence, Seymour /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou01861.xml Seymour Lawrence, /data/source/findingAids/umd/MdU.ead.litms.0041.xml Lawrence, Seymour /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou00946.xml Lawrence, Seymour. /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou00724.xml Lawrence, Seymour. /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou01917.xml Seymour Lawrence, /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou00344.xml Lawrence, Seymour. /data/source/findingAids/umd/MdU.ead.litms.0002.xml Lawrence, Seymour /data/source/findingAids/ude/minimal_ead/mss0259.xml Lawrence, Seymour. /data/source/findingAids/harvard/hou00637.xml Lawrence, Seymour. person Lawrence, Seymour presumed Lawrence, Seymour, 1926- presumed active 1985 active 1986

Editor and publisher who worked with Katherine Anne Porter on SHIP OF FOOLS.

From the description of Papers. 1955-1980. (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 23672961

Seymour Lawrence (1926-1994) served as the longtime editor and publisher of Kurt Vonnegut's works through Seymour Lawrence, Inc.

From the description of Seymour Lawrence publishing files related to Kurt Vonnegut, 1966-1983. (University of Delaware Library). WorldCat record id: 668400775

Seymour Lawrence (1926–1994) served as the longtime editor and publisher of Kurt Vonnegut's works through Seymour Lawrence, Inc.

Seymour Lawrence, born on February 11, 1926, first became interested in publishing while attending Harvard University. From 1945 to 1953 Lawrence was an editor and publisher of Wake, a Harvard literary journal. Following his graduation from Harvard, Lawrence pursued a publishing career in Boston. From 1952 to 1954 he worked as special assistant to the editor at the Atlantic Monthly . In 1954 Lawrence moved to the Atlantic Monthly Press, and a year later became the Press's director and editor-in-chief. Lawrence left this position in 1964 after arguing unsuccessfully for unexpurgated publication of J.P. Donleavy's "A Singular Man."

Lawrence's next position was at Alfred A. Knopf in New York, where he became editorial vice president. Discouraged by the weekly commute to New York, Lawrence started his own publishing house in Boston in 1965.

With the creation of Seymour Lawrence, Inc., Lawrence and his wife, Merloyd, became independent publishers. The Lawrences contacted authors and developed their own list of books, but they published in association with a large New York publishing house, Dell, and its hardcover division, Delacorte. Dell and Delacorte financed production, promotion, and distribution in return for a share of the profits.

Lawrence first contacted Kurt Vonnegut in 1966. Vonnegut, whose then current book had sold only 1,500 copies, did not have a regular hardback publisher. By January 30, 1967, he had signed a three book contract with Seymour Lawrence, Inc. Lawrence served as Vonnegut's editor and publisher for over twenty years.

During their association, Lawrence maintained a non-interference policy and functioned more as a friend than an editor to Vonnegut. Their years of correspondence reveal a relationship characterized by humor, mutual support, and honesty. Lawrence remained Vonnegut's editor until the publication of Bluebeard in 1987.

After a brief association with Dutton, Lawrence moved his imprint to Houghton Mifflin in February 1988. Seymour Lawrence died at the age of 67 in January, 1994.

Frede, Richard. "Seymour Lawrence." Publishers Weekly. Volume 205, no. 18. May 6, 1974. pp. 12-13. International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who. East Grinstead, England: Kelly's Directories, 1990. p. 368. "Seymour Lawrence, 67, Publisher For a Variety of Eminent Authors." The New York Times. January 7, 1994.

From the guide to the Seymour Lawrence publishing files related to Kurt Vonnegut, 1966–1983, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)

Seymour Lawrence, an independent publisher of important American and international writers, was born on February 11, 1926, in New York City, the son of Jack and Sophie L. Lawrence. He graduated from Harvard University in 1948 and began his career in publishing by becoming a college traveler, or academic trade representative, for the Van Nostrand Company, a publisher of college textbooks. In 1950 he became a special assistant to the editor of Atlantic Monthly and by 1952 had risen to the position of associate editor of Atlantic Monthly Press. In succession, he became director and editor-in-chief for Atlantic Monthly . He left Atlantic Monthly in 1964 to become editorial vice-president for Alfred Knopf, Inc., another highly respected publishing house.

He launched his own personal imprint, Seymour Lawrence, Inc., in 1965, with only one book, The Ginger Man by J. P. Donleavy. His imprint, a small separate publishing division under his name, allowed Lawrence to assume responsibility for finding, nurturing, and publishing new writers. He was well-known throughout the publishing industry as someone who would provide much needed support, whether financial or psychological, to the writers he had discovered. His imprint was a division of the larger publishing company Dell/Delacorte for seventeen years until the company declined to renew his co-publishing agreement in 1982. He continued his career and imprint with the publishing company, E. P. Dutton, Inc., for six years and, in 1988, affiliated with Houghton Mifflin.

Among the distinguished authors published by Mr. Lawrence were Katherine Anne Porter, Kurt Vonnegut, J. P. Donleavy, Thomas Berger, Richard Brautigan, William Saroyan, and Frank Conroy. He also published the works of four authors who won the Nobel Prize for Literature: Miguel Ángel Asturias, Camillo José Cela, Pablo Neruda, and George Seferis. Seymour Lawrence was responsible for publishing such memorable books as: Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter, Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan, Going After Caciato by Tim O'Brien, Little Big Man by Thomas Berger, Selected Poems by Pablo Neruda, and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

He married Merloyd Ludington on June 21, 1952, and they had two children, a daughter, Macy, and a son, Nicholas. He was divorced in February 1984 and in later years lived with Joan Williams, a novelist and short story writer.

He died on January 4, 1994, from complications suffered during a heart attack which struck him while he was in Florida. The New York Times obituary of Lawrence included the following characterization:

Mr. Lawrence's authors described him as a publisher who was passionately committed to writers and writing, but who was not always tolerant of "misguided reviewers" or the publishing bureaucracy.

From the guide to the Seymour Lawrence papers, 1955-1980, 1955-1969, (Literature and Rare Books) Asturias, Miguel Angel, 1899-1974. Beattie, Ann. Cairnie, Gordon. Cummings, E. E. (Edward Estlin), 1894-1962 Gass, William H., 1924- Glenway Wescott Guillén, Jorge, 1893-1984. Humphrey, William. Katherine Anne Porter Lang, V. R., 1924-1956 Levin, Harry, 1912-1994 Mark Van Doren Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Porter, Paul Porter, Paul. Seymour Lawrence Stout, Janis P. Van Doren, Mark, 1894-1972. Vonnegut, Kurt Westcott, Glenway. Lawrence, Seymour, fl 1952-1964 Lawrence, Seymour. Lawrence, Seymour, recipient. Lawrence, Seymour, 1926-1996 Lawrence, Seymour, recipient. Lawrence, Seymour Lawrence, Seymour. Office files of The American Poetry Review, 1974. Lawrence, Seymour. Office files of The American Poetry Review, 1974. 1 folder. Comprises 1 item, 1 leaf correspondence. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library Seymour Lawrence publishing files related to Kurt Vonnegut, 1966–1983 Lawrence, Seymour. Seymour Lawrence publishing files related to Kurt Vonnegut 1966–1983 3.5 linearfeet and 4 oversize folders; (4 boxes) Publishing materials of American editor and publisher Seymour Lawrence (1926–1994) relating to twentieth century American writer Kurt Vonnegut. English University of Delaware Library - Special Collections Vonnegut mss., 1941-2007 Vonnegut, Kurt Vonnegut mss., 1941-2007 ca. 5805 items Consists of the papers of novelist Kurt Vonnegut, born in 1922. English Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington) Asturias, Miguel Angel, 1899-1974. Miguel Angel Asturias papers, 1964-1969. Asturias, Miguel Angel, 1899-1974. Lawrence, Seymour, 1926- Rabassa, Gregory, 1922- Miguel Angel Asturias papers, 1964-1969. 0.75 cu. ft. (3 boxes) Contains correspondence of Asturias, Seymour Lawrence, Gregory Rabassa, Jose Castillo, Tom Maschler, and others mainly concerning Rabassa's English translations of Asturias' works, such as STRONG WIND (VIENTO FUERTE), THE GREEN POPE (EL POPA VERDE), and THE EYES OF THE INTERRED (LOS OJOS DE LOS ENTERRADOS), and their publication in the United States and abroad. Princeton University Library Paul Porter papers, 1903-2009, 1977-2002 Porter, Paul. Paul Porter papers 8.75 linear feet and 226 items Harrison Paul Porter (1921-2012), a nephew of Katherine Anne Porter, was her legal guardian from 1977 to 1980. His papers include correspondence; guardianship records; published materials and notes; audiovisual materials; memorabilia; and photographs documenting Porter's relationship with his aunt and her literary career and reputation. Significant individuals represented in the collection include Robert Penn Warren, Seymour Lawrence, and Joan Daves. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries Porter, Paul. Paul Porter papers, 1903-2009 (bulk 1977-2002). Porter, Paul. Paul Porter papers 8.75 linear feet and 226 items Harrison Paul Porter (1921-2012), a nephew of Katherine Anne Porter, was her legal guardian from 1977 to 1980. His papers include correspondence; guardianship records; published materials and notes; audiovisual materials; memorabilia; and photographs documenting Porter's relationship with his aunt and her literary career and reputation. Significant individuals represented in the collection include Robert Penn Warren, Seymour Lawrence, and Joan Daves. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries Gass, William H., 1924-. William H. Gass collection, 1961-1985. Gass, William H., 1924- William H. Gass collection, 1961-1985. 8 items. Collection of American author, William H. Gass, consists of 6 typescript letters and 2 published poems written by Gass. The letters of Gass were written, 1961-1963, to American editor and author, Seymour Lawrence. Subjects of the letters include Gass's writings, his application for a Guggenheim grant, and his admiration for author, Katherine Anne Porter. The two poems in the collection were published in limited and numbered editions. The first is titled "Mad Meg in the Maelstrom," published in 1976 and the second is titled "On Place," published in 1985. Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library Katherine Anne Porter papers, 1842-1980, 1932-1975 Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Holloway, Gay Porter. Pressly, Eugene. Abels, Cyrilly. Erskine, Albert. Welty, Eudora, 1909-2001. Lawrence, Seymour. Ford, Ford Madox, 1873-1939. Heintze, Anne. Westcott, Glenway. Elder, Donald. O'Connor, Flannery. Porter, Paul. Wheeler, Monroe, 1899-1988. Herbst, Josephine, 1892-1969. Gordon, Caroline, 1895-1981. Brooks, Cleanth, 1906-1994. Warren, Robert Penn, 1905-1989. Davis, Barbara Thompson. Clark, Eleanor, 1913-1996. Tate, Allen, 1899-1979. Katherine Anne Porter papers 174.50 Linear Feet and 3845 Items (volumes) The University of Maryland Libraries house the primary archive for Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980). Porter is known primarily for her short stories and novel, Ship of Fools, but also published nonfiction. She was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 1966 for The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter. Her personal papers reflect her interests in writing, travel, politics, and current events and also document her private life. The collection includes correspondence, notes and drafts for her works, publications, legal documents, and financial records. It also includes over 1,500 photographs from her personal collection, dating from the 1890s to 1979. Subjects of both snapshots and professional portraits include Porter, her family, friends, homes, and places she visited. The Porter collection also contains memorabilia, including Mexican pottery, furniture, awards, and diplomas, as well as her personal library. Many of these objects and a portion of her library are housed in the Katherine Anne Porter Room in Hornbake Library. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries E. E. Cummings letters to Elizabeth Cummings Qualey, 1917-1963. Cummings, E. E. (Edward Estlin), 1894-1962. E. E. Cummings letters to Elizabeth Cummings Qualey, 1917-1963. 2 boxes, 1 volume (1.01 linear ft.) Letters from American poet E. E. Cummings to his sister Elizabeth Qualey Cummings. English Houghton Library Lawrence, Seymour. Seymour Lawrence publishing files related to Kurt Vonnegut, 1966-1983. Lawrence, Seymour. Seymour Lawrence publishing files related to Kurt Vonnegut, 1966-1983. 3.5 linear feet and 4 oversize folders (4 boxes) The Seymour Lawrence papers contain the publishing and promotional files maintained by Seymour Lawrence as Kurt Vonnegut's editor and publisher. The material includes correspondence between Vonnegut and Lawrence, as well as manuscripts of several speeches and essays written by Vonnegut. The files also contain photographs of Vonnegut, a self-portrait painted by Vonnegut, and publication and promotional materials toward ten of Vonnegut's books. University of Delaware Library, Hugh M Morris Library Lawrence, Seymour. Papers. Lawrence, Seymour. Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Westcott, Glenway. Van Doren, Mark, 1894-1972. Seymour Lawrence papers 3.75 linear feet Seymour Lawrence (1926-1994) was Katherine Anne Porter's publisher, first at Atlantic Monthly Press and later with Seymour Lawrence, Inc., his independent imprint. He was also associated with Alfred Knopf, Dell/Delacorte, E. P. Dutton, and Houghton Mifflin. As editor-in-chief at Atlantic Monthly Press, Lawrence oversaw the publication of Ship of Fools, Porter's novel. The collection consists of correspondence, galley proofs, editing notes, and clippings documenting Lawrence's editorial projects and interactions with various authors. Among the significant correspondents represented in the collection are Katherine Anne Porter, Glenway Wescott, and Mark Van Doren. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Papers. Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Holloway, Gay Porter. Pressly, Eugene. Abels, Cyrilly. Erskine, Albert. Welty, Eudora, 1909-2001. Lawrence, Seymour. Ford, Ford Madox, 1873-1939. Heintze, Anne. Westcott, Glenway. Elder, Donald. O'Connor, Flannery. Porter, Paul. Wheeler, Monroe, 1899-1988. Herbst, Josephine, 1892-1969. Gordon, Caroline, 1895-1981. Brooks, Cleanth, 1906-1994. Warren, Robert Penn, 1905-1989. Davis, Barbara Thompson. Clark, Eleanor, 1913-1996. Tate, Allen, 1899-1979. Katherine Anne Porter papers 174.50 Linear Feet and 3845 Items (volumes) The University of Maryland Libraries house the primary archive for Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980). Porter is known primarily for her short stories and novel, Ship of Fools, but also published nonfiction. She was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 1966 for The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter. Her personal papers reflect her interests in writing, travel, politics, and current events and also document her private life. The collection includes correspondence, notes and drafts for her works, publications, legal documents, and financial records. It also includes over 1,500 photographs from her personal collection, dating from the 1890s to 1979. Subjects of both snapshots and professional portraits include Porter, her family, friends, homes, and places she visited. The Porter collection also contains memorabilia, including Mexican pottery, furniture, awards, and diplomas, as well as her personal library. Many of these objects and a portion of her library are housed in the Katherine Anne Porter Room in Hornbake Library. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries Additional papers, 1917-1962 and undated. Cummings, E. E. (Edward Estlin), 1894-1962. E. E. Cummings additional papers, 1917-1962 and undated 7 boxes (3.5 linear ft.) Additional papers of American poet E.E. Cummings. Houghton Library Papers, 1920-1995. Levin, Harry, 1912-1994. Harry Levin papers 41 linear feet (34 boxes) Papers of Harry Levin, American literary critic, scholar of modernism and comparative literature, and the Irving Babbitt Professor of Comparative Literature atHarvard University. English Houghton Library Stout, Janis P. Papers. Stout, Janis P. Janis P. Stout papers 0.50 linear feet Janis Pitts Stout (1939-) was an English professor and administrator at a number of research universities, most notably Rice University, Texas A & M, and Auburn University, from 1973 until her retirement in 2002. She produced three novels, compiled and edited a calendar based on the works of Willa Cather, and published six scholarly works, including Katherine Anne Porter: A Sense of the Times (1995). Dr. Stout's papers consist almost exclusively of material related to the research and publication of her 1995 book on Katherine Anne Porter. Included is correspondence regarding permissions from her book, a copy of the book proposal evaluation, other scholarly work on Katherine Anne Porter by Dr. Stout, and a portion of Dr. Stout's research notes. Some general correspondence related to Dr. Stout's book is also included. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries Gordon Cairnie papers, 1922-1973. Cairnie, Gordon. Gordon Cairnie papers, 1922-1973. 6 boxes (3 linear ft.) Letters from various poets to Grolier Book Shop owner Gordon Cairne as well as business papers of the book store. English Houghton Library E. E. Cummings papers, 1870-1969. Cummings, E. E. (Edward Estlin), 1894-1962. E. E. Cummings papers, 1870-1969 116 boxes (18 linear ft.) Correspondence and working drafts of poems and other writings by American poet E. E. Cummings. Houghton Library Seymour Lawrence papers, 1955-1980, 1955-1969 Lawrence, Seymour. Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Westcott, Glenway. Van Doren, Mark, 1894-1972. Seymour Lawrence papers 3.75 linear feet Seymour Lawrence (1926-1994) was Katherine Anne Porter's publisher, first at Atlantic Monthly Press and later with Seymour Lawrence, Inc., his independent imprint. He was also associated with Alfred Knopf, Dell/Delacorte, E. P. Dutton, and Houghton Mifflin. As editor-in-chief at Atlantic Monthly Press, Lawrence oversaw the publication of Ship of Fools, Porter's novel. The collection consists of correspondence, galley proofs, editing notes, and clippings documenting Lawrence's editorial projects and interactions with various authors. Among the significant correspondents represented in the collection are Katherine Anne Porter, Glenway Wescott, and Mark Van Doren. English University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries E. E. Cummings additional papers, 1870-1969. Cummings, E.E. (Edward Estlin), 1894-1962. E. E. Cummings additional papers, 1870-1969 156 boxes (78 linear ft.) Correspondence, poems, prose, notes, and drawings by American poet Edward Estlin Cummings. Also includes papers of his third wife Marion Morehouse Cummings. Houghton Library Beattie, Ann. Papers of Ann Beattie [manuscript], 1985-1986. Beattie, Ann. Braider, Jackson, Delacorte Press E.P. Dutton (Firm), Fleishman, Melanie, Hassett, Rick, Herman, John, Houghton Mifflin Company, Lawrence, Seymour, Little, Brown and Company, Macmillan Publishing Company Reuther, David Talese, Nan A., Tondorf-Dick, Mary Weidenfeld and Nicholson (Firm), Whitehead, Bill, William Morrow and Company Papers of Ann Beattie [manuscript], 1985-1986. 10 items. In a series of letters, 1985-86, Beattie receives requests from representatives of various publishing companies for advance reviews of unpublished novels. Also included in the collection is a copy of a piece of work entitled "North Garden." University of Virginia. Library Humphrey, William. William Humphrey Papers, 1932-1992 (bulk 1944-1992). Humphrey, William. Affre, Pierre. Antone, Evan Haywood. Dupee, Fred W. Eady, Toby. Faulk, John Henry. Foote, Shelby. Gottlieb, Robert, 1931-. Hills, L. Rust. Knopf, Alfred A., 1892-1984. Lambert, Jean. Lawrence, Seymour. Lucas, Jack. Lyons, Nick. Mewshaw, Michael, 1943-. Parsons, Ian. Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. Smallwood, Nora. Stone, Richard L. Thomas, Ted. Tomlinson, Charles, 1927-. Weis, Ted. Wescott, Glenway, 1901-1987. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Chatto & Windus (Firm). Doubleday & Company, Inc. Gallimard (Firm). Nick Lyons Books. Sports Illustrated. William Humphrey Papers, 1932-1992 (bulk 1944-1992). 28 boxes (11.86 linear feet), 1 oversize box, 1 oversize folder. Typed and holograph manuscripts, notebooks, correspondence, clippings, photographs, audio recordings, and printer's and galley proofs document William Humphrey's writing, life, and family. The Works series contains manuscript material for all of Humphrey's books and many of his short stories. Also included are drafts of lectures he presented at Washington and Lee University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Notebooks located throughout the series provide particular insight into Humphrey's life and writing. In varying detail, they contain hand written outlines, notes, revisions, commentary, and typed fragments that trace the creation of his published and unpublished works. The Correspondence series consists almost entirely of incoming correspondence to Humphrey dating from the mid 1940s to the early 1990s. Much of the correspondence documents the business aspects of Humphrey's writing, such as publication, promotion, sales, reviews, and copyright. A few letters include drafts or copies of Humphrey's replies. The Subject Files series includes general clippings, biographical and bibliographical records, personal memorabilia, travel brochures and maps, and several short works by students and other writers. Also present are a large number of photographs, including several of Humphrey as a child in Clarksville. English French Italian Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center Seymour Lawrence Collection, 1952-1992 Seymour Lawrence Collection, 1952-1992 108 boxes (54.0 linear feet) The collection chiefly contains materials relating to and created by authors whose books were published by Seymour Lawrence. Materials include correspondence, promotional materials (including photographs, publication announcements, and publishing catalogs), manuscripts, page proofs, and miscellaneous other documents. University of Mississippi V. R. Lang papers, 1929-1974 (inclusive) 1943-1959 (bulk). Lang, V. R., 1924-1956. V. R. Lang papers, 1929-1974 (inclusive) 1943-1959 (bulk). 7 boxes (3 linear ft.) Manuscripts and correspondence of the American poet, playwright, and actress V. R. Lang. English Houghton Library Guillén, Jorge, 1893-1984. Jorge Guillén archives, 1951-1964 (bulk 1963-1964). Bonnefoy, Yves, Guillén, Jorge, 1893-1984. Belitt, Ben, 1911-2003, Borges, Jorge Luis, 1899-1986, Bowra, C. M. (Cecil Maurice), 1898-1971, Brée, Germaine, Castro, Américo, 1885-1972, Di Giovanni, Norman Thomas, Eliot, T. S. (Thomas Stearns), 1888-1965, Lawrence, Seymour, Levin, Harry, 1912-1994, Lowell, Robert, 1917-1977, Madariaga, Salvador de, 1886-1978, Paz, Octavio, 1914-1998, Peyre, Henri, 1901-1988, Poirier, Richard, Poulet, Georges, Spender, Stephen, 1909-1995, Wilson, Edmund, 1895-1972, Atlantic Monthly Press. Jorge Guillén archives, 1951-1964 (bulk 1963-1964). 52 items. This collection contains the poet's correspondence with his American publisher, Atlantic Monthly Press, and responses to the publisher's attempts to get dust jacket blurbs from other writers. Included are letters from Ben Belitt, Yves Bonnefoy, Jorge Luís Borges, C.M. Bowra, Germaine Brée, Américo Castro, Norman Di Giovanni, T.S. Eliot, Harry Levin, Robert Lowell, Salvador de Madariago, Octavio Paz, Henri Peyre, Richard Poirier, Georges Poulet, Stephen Spender, and Edmund Wilson. Also contains a small amount of related materials, including promotional schemes. Pennsylvania State University Libraries