Wieners, John, 1934-2002

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Poet John Wieners was born in Boston on January 6, 1934. After graduating from Boston College in 1954, Wieners attended Black Mountain College from 1955-1956, studying under Charles Olson and Robert Duncan. He became associated with the Poet's Theatre in Cambridge, and his two one-act plays were produced by the New York Poet's Theatre and Judson Poets Theatre in New York. In 1957 he founded the poetry magazine, Measure, and in 1962 received the Poet's Foundation Award. Among his published books are The Hotel Wentley Poems (1958), Ace of Pentacles (1964), Pressed Wafer (1967), Asylum Poems (For my Father) (1969), Youth (1970), Nerves (1970), Selected Poems (1972), and Behind the State Capitol, Or Cincinnati Pike (1975).

From the guide to the John Wieners Papers, 1955-1970, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Poet.

From the description of John Wieners papers, 1958-1986. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 16693380

American poet.

From the description of Poetry manuscripts and photograph, [196-?]-1985. (University of California, San Diego). WorldCat record id: 18433598

From 1954, when American Beat poet John Wieners (1934-2002) graduated from Boston College with an A.B. in English, to 1970, when he published Nerves, Boston-born poet John Wieners was thoroughly immersed in the art, culture, and turmoil of the times.

From the description of John Wieners papers, 1961-1968. (University of Delaware Library). WorldCat record id: 608554000

Author, poet and playwright. Wieners was born in Milton, MA, and attended Boston College and Black Mountain College. He published several books of poetry and worked in theatre production. Wieners is active in a number of education cooperatives and political action committees.

From the description of Charles Olson-John Wieners Papers, 1952-1968. (Boston College). WorldCat record id: 33218392

Born in Boston, MA, on 6 January 1934, John Wieners is the son of Albert Eugene and Anna Elizabeth (Laffan) Wieners . He studied at Boston College (A.B., 1954) and attended Black Mountain College (1955-1956) and SUNY-Buffalo (1965-1969). Wieners was an actor and stage manager for the Poets Theatre in Boston, MA, in 1956 before establishing and editing the magazine, Measure (1957-1962). He has been a teacher at the Beacon Hill Free School in Boston since 1973. The author of over 25 books and three plays, Wieners has won awards from the Poets Foundation (1962), New Hope Foundations (1963), National Institute of Arts and Letters (1968) and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (1968-1969). A member of the Academy of American Poets, Wieners resides in Boston, MA .

From the guide to the John Wieners Papers., 1958-1986., (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center .)

From 1954, when American Beat poet John Wieners (1934–2002) graduated from Boston College with an A.B. in English, to 1970, when he published Nerves, Boston-born poet John Wieners was thoroughly immersed in the art, culture, and turmoil of the times. He spent 1955–1956 at Charles Olson's experimental Black Mountain College in North Carolina, studying writing with Robert Creeley and Robert Duncan. Wieners journeyed to San Francisco where he published his breakthrough Hotel Wentley Poems in 1958, at age twenty-four.

Wieners returned to Boston in 1959 to be institutionalized, in part because of drug abuse. In 1961 he moved to New York City with the help of a grant from Allen Ginsberg's Poetry Foundation. He worked as an assistant bookkeeper at the Eighth Street Bookshop from 1962–1963. Wieners went back to Boston in 1963 and worked as a subscriptions editor for Jordan Marsh department stores until 1965. In 1964 Robert Wilson, of The Phoenix Bookshop, published Wieners's second book, Ace Of Pentacles .

In 1965 Wieners moved west, spending time in Los Angeles and at the Berkeley Poetry Conference where he met up with his old friend, Charles Olson. Olson, then an endowed Chair of Poetics at S.U.N.Y. Buffalo, invited Wieners to enroll in the graduate program there, which is where he stayed until 1967. Pressed Wafer (1967) was published chronicling those years.

In 1967 Wieners's lover left him and went to Europe with a mentor of his, but not before aborting his child first. In late 1967 Wieners, back in Boston, resorted to further drink and drugs. In the spring of 1969 Wieners was again institutionalized, resulting in The Asylum Poems (For my Father), published later that year.

Wieners published Nerves in 1970, which contained his work from 1966 to 1970, including all of the Asylum Poems . In the early 1970s, despite brief periods of institutionalization, Wieners taught a course entitled "Verse in the U.S. Since 1955" at the Beacon Hill Free School in Boston. He was also involved in the antiwar movement, crusaded against racism, and campaigned for the rights of women and homosexuals.

In 1975 Wieners published Behind the State Capital, or Cincinnati Pike, a book of letters, memoirs, and brief lyric poems. After 1975, he published little new work and remained largely out of the public eye. In 1986 he produced a retrospective collection, Selected Poems, 1958-1984 with a forward written by Allen Ginsberg. In 1996 he appeared with Ed Sanders at Stone Soup in Boston for what would have been Jack Kerouac's 76th birthday celebration. Also in 1996, The Sun and Moon Press released an edited and previously unpublished diary and journal by Wieners documenting his life in San Francisco around the time of The Hotel Wentley Poems . The book, The Journal of John Wieners is to be called 707 Scott Street for Billie Holiday, 1959, contains prose, poetry, and assorted musings from Wieners at age twenty-four at the dawn of the Sixties.

Wieners died on March 1, 2002 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Two collections of poems, Kidnap Notes Next (2002) and A Book of Prophecies (2007), were published posthumously.

Raymond Foye, "John Wieners," Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 16. The Beats: Literary Bohemians in Postwar America . Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1983. pp. 572-583.

From the guide to the John Wieners papers, 1961–1968, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Ball State University Library, Bracken Library
creatorOf John Wieners Papers., 1958-1986. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Gitin, David. Papers, 1968-1993. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Poetry mss., 1954-2002 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. Letter, 1966 July 25, Gloucester, Mass., to David Gitin, Buffalo, N.Y. Ball State University Library, Bracken Library
referencedIn Wallace Berman papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn James Schuyler Papers, 1947-1991 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
creatorOf Schuyler, James. Papers, 1947-1991. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Edward Dorn Papers University of Connecticut. Libraries
referencedIn Robert LaVigne Papers, 1954-1969. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Diane Di Prima Papers, 1948-1971 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn (Everett) Leroi Jones (aka Amiri Baraka) Papers, 1957-1965 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Ossman, David, 1936-. Tape recordings of interviews with poets and poetry readings, 1960-1970. University of Toledo, William S. Carlson Library
referencedIn Rumaker, Michael, 1932-. Michael Rumaker papers, ca. 1957-1990. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
creatorOf Stony Brook Poetics Foundation. Stony Brook Poetics Foundation collection. [1961-1968]. University of Victoria Libraries, UVic
referencedIn Antioch Review mss., 1940-2007 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Anne Waldman Papers (1945-2012, bulk 1965-2000) University of Michigan
referencedIn Photographs of John Wieners [manuscript], [n.d.]. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Once : a one shot magazine archive 1966-1967. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Larry Eigner Papers., 1950-1979. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf John Wieners Papers, 1955-1970 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Pa'lante. Papers, 1959-1969. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. Charles Olson-John Wieners Papers, 1952-1968. Boston College. John J. Burns Library
referencedIn Fanny Howe Papers Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn John Wieners, ca. 1960. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn Ann Charters Papers., 1966-1982. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Larry Fagin Papers., n.d., 1958-1977. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
referencedIn Woodberry Poetry Room (Harvard College Library) poetry readings, 1931- (ongoing). Woodberry Poetry Room, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Gitin, David. Papers, 1968-1993. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Loewinsohn, Ron. Papers, 1953-1976 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Dorn, Edward. Edward Dorn papers, 1956-1993. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
creatorOf Ansen, Alan. Collection of literary manuscripts from Measure, [ca. 1953-ca. 1960]. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Ginsberg (Allen) photograph collection Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Stony Brook Poetics Foundation. Stony Brook holographs portfolio, 1968. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. John Wieners papers, 1958-1986. University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library
referencedIn The Perishable Press, Ltd. Records and papers, 1965-1980. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Gerard Malanga Papers, 1944-1971 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Enslin, Theodore. Theodore Enslin Papers. Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn Economou, George. George Economou papers, 1954-1996. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Joanne Kyger Correspondence, 1957-1975 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
referencedIn Gordon Cairnie papers, 1922-1973. Houghton Library
referencedIn Allen Ginsberg papers, 1937-1994 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. God is the organ of novelty. Ball State University Library, Bracken Library
creatorOf John Wieners papers, 1961–1968 University of Delaware Library - Special Collections
referencedIn Fanny Howe Papers Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Kyger, Joanne. Correspondence, 1957-1975. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Theodore Enslin Papers, ca. 1955-1975 Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn Hanuman books. Hanuman books records, 1978-1996, (bulk 1986-1994). University of Michigan
referencedIn V. R. Lang papers, 1929-1974 (inclusive) 1943-1959 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Guide to the Signal Archive, circa 1963-1965 Fales Library & Special Collections
referencedIn William L. Kinter papers, Kinter (William L.) papers, 1958-1965 John Hay Library, Special Collections
referencedIn George Economou Papers, 1954-1996. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Once: A One Shot Magazine Archive, 1966-1967 Fales Library & Special Collections
creatorOf Di Prima, Diane. Papers 1956-1972. Indiana University
referencedIn Felver, Christopher, 1946-. The group surrounding Allen Ginsberg : photographs, 1980-1985. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. Unpublished anthology of the San Francisco Renaissance, ca. 1965. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Lavigne, Robert. Robert Lavigne papers, 1954-1969. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Loewinsohn, Ron. Ron Loewinsohn papers, 1953-1976. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Ansen, Alan. Collection of literary manuscripts, [ca.1953-1960]. State Library of Ohio
referencedIn Gary Snyder Papers, 1910-2003;, (1945-2002 bulk) University of California, Davis. General Library. . Dept. of Special Collections
referencedIn Wallace Berman papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Robert A. Wilson John Wieners collection, 1958-1988 University of Delaware Library - Special Collections
referencedIn Ted Berrigan Papers, 1963-1964 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. Poetry manuscripts and photograph, [196-?]-1985. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
referencedIn Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997. Allen Ginsberg papers, 1937-1994. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn John Wieners publisher's files for, The Hotel Wentley Poems, 1963-1971, 1965 University of Delaware Library - Special Collections
creatorOf Wieners, John, 1934-2002. John Wieners papers, 1961-1968. University of Delaware Library, Hugh M Morris Library
referencedIn Cid Corman Papers., 1954-1989. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center.
creatorOf Allen, Donald, 1912-2004. Donald Allen collection, 1930-2005. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Rosenthal, Irving, 1930-. Irving Rosenthal papers, ca. 1950-1996. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Irving Rosenthal papers, ca. 1950-1996 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Alexander, Robert person
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associatedWith Berrigan, Ted person
correspondedWith Bertholf, Robert person
associatedWith Blaser, Robin. person
correspondedWith Bockris, Victor person
associatedWith Broughton, James Richard, 1913- person
correspondedWith Butterick, George person
correspondedWith Byrne, Marie person
correspondedWith Cairnie, Gordon. person
associatedWith Carr, James F. person
correspondedWith Ceely, John person
associatedWith Charters, Ann. person
correspondedWith Cooper, Dennis person
correspondedWith Corbett, Bill person
associatedWith Corman, Cid. person
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associatedWith Creeley, Robert, 1926- person
correspondedWith Creely, Robert, 1926- person
correspondedWith Crozier, Andrew person
correspondedWith Cullen, Rosemary L. person
correspondedWith Curtiss, Julie person
correspondedWith Davidson, Michael person
associatedWith Davidson, Michael, 1944- person
correspondedWith DeLoach, Allen person
correspondedWith Di Prima, Diane person
associatedWith DiPrima, Diane person
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associatedWith Dorn, Edward person
correspondedWith Dorn, Edward person
correspondedWith Doyle, Kirby person
associatedWith Duncan, Robert Edward, 1919- person
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correspondedWith Eigner, Larry, 1927- person
correspondedWith Ellingham, Lewis person
correspondedWith Elmslie, Kenward person
associatedWith Enslin, Theodore. person
correspondedWith Eshleman, Clayton person
correspondedWith Fagin, Larry person
associatedWith Felver, Christopher, 1946- person
correspondedWith Foye, Raymond person
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correspondedWith Gatlin, Debbie person
associatedWith Ginsberg, Allen person
correspondedWith Ginsberg, Allen person
correspondedWith Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997 person
associatedWith Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-1997 person
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correspondedWith Glover, Albert person
correspondedWith Goldberg, Jeff person
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correspondedWith Grundel, Bonnie person
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associatedWith Hanuman books. corporateBody
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associatedWith Haselwood, David. person
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correspondedWith Kahn, Paul person
associatedWith Kerouac, Jack, 1922-1969 person
correspondedWith Killian, Kevin person
associatedWith Kinter, William L. (William Lewis), 1915- person
associatedWith Kyger, Joanne. person
associatedWith Lamantia, Philip, 1927- person
correspondedWith Lang, V. R., 1924-1956 person
correspondedWith Lansing, Gerrit person
associatedWith Lansing, Gerrit. person
associatedWith Lavigne, Robert. person
associatedWith Loewinsohn, Ron. person
associatedWith Loewinsohn, Ron. person
correspondedWith Logan, Ruth person
correspondedWith MacAdams, Lewis person
correspondedWith MacAdams, Lewis, 1944- person
associatedWith MacLeish, Archibald, 1892-1982 person
associatedWith Malanga, Gerard. person
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correspondedWith McNaughton, Duncan, 1942- person
correspondedWith Meltzer, David person
correspondedWith Meltzer, David person
associatedWith Merwin, W. S. (William Stanley), 1927- person
correspondedWith Minkhoff, George person
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associatedWith Rosenthal, Irving, 1930- person
correspondedWith Rumaker, Michael, 1932- person
correspondedWith Schuyler, James person
associatedWith Schuyler, James. person
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associatedWith Stony Brook Poetics Foundation. corporateBody
correspondedWith Taylor, Saundra person
correspondedWith Tebor, Dawn person
associatedWith The Perishable Press, Ltd. corporateBody
correspondedWith Timby, Sara person
correspondedWith Volkersz, Evert person
associatedWith Waldman, Anne, 1945-. person
associatedWith Wallace Berman person
associatedWith Whalen, Philip. person
correspondedWith Wildley, Lynne person
correspondedWith Wilkinson, John person
associatedWith Williams, Jonathan, 1929- person
associatedWith Wilson, Robert A. (Robert Alfred), 1922- person
associatedWith Woodberry Poetry Room (Harvard College Library). corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Massachusetts--Boston
Subject
Authors, American
American poetry
Poets, American
Poets, American
Poets, American
Berkson, Bill
Creeley, Robert, 1926-
Di Prima, Diane
Dorn, Edward
Dramatists, American
Fagin, Larry
Foye, Raymond, 1957-
Ginsberg, Allen, 1926-
Kyger, Joanne
MacAdams, Lewis, 1944-
McNaughton, Duncan, 1942-
Meltzer, David
Radicalism
Rumaker, Michael, 1932-
Wieners, John, 1934- Poems. Selctions
Occupation
Poets
Activity

Person

Birth 1934

Birth 1934-01-06

Death 2002-03-01

Male

Americans

English

Information

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