Charles L. Adams was born in Joliet, Illinois, May 11, 1929. He earned his B.A. from Michigan State, his M.A. from the University of Illinois, and his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. He was a professor of English at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1960 to 1999.
Adams's specialty was modern literature, but he was particularly interested in the writings of Frank Waters, the southwestern novelist, essayist, biographer and non-fiction writer. Adams taught a two-semester series of courses on Waters and was a founder of the Frank Waters Society and editor of its annual journal. He edited Frank Waters: A Retrospective Anthology (Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 1985) and, with Waters, co-edited W.Y. Evans-Wentz's Cuchama and Sacred Mountains (Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 1981). He also published numerous articles on Waters and other literary topics in an assortment of journals. Adams was quoted as saying: "I find it very exciting to be able to work with a living author." Waters spoke in his classes and at UNLV's commencement, and Adams participated in numerous conferences and panels on, about, and with Waters.
This biographical note was excerpted from Adams's obituary posted on the Frank Waters Foundation website.
From the guide to the Charles L. Adams papers, 1946-2002, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)
