May 31, 2012, Filed Under: Books + ManuscriptsNew book explores "The Legacy of David Foster Wallace" The Legacy of David Foster Wallace, a collection of essays that examine Wallace, his writing, and his place in literary history, has been published by University of Iowa Press. Wallace’s archive resides at the Ransom Center. Molly Schwartzburg, former Cline Curator of Literature at the Ransom Center and current curator… read more
May 29, 2012, Filed Under: ConservationYour Humble Serpent: “Book Snake” and “Book Worm” are unsung Reading Room companions Though seldom spoken of, the “book snake” has been a staple for patrons in the Ransom Center’s reading room for many years, while its smaller cousin, the “book worm” has appeared more recently. The story behind these creatures, often seen draped over the sides of books or nestled between the… read more
May 24, 2012, Filed Under: Research + TeachingHyde Park host provided home away from home for scholars Cultural Compass: Can you tell us about some of your most memorable guests? Martha Campbell: Oh, heavens! Martha Campbell, 73, is not your typical B&B owner. During the time she hosted Ransom Center scholars at her home between 1995 and 2010, Campbell helped one renter woo her future husband, competed… read more
May 23, 2012, Filed Under: AuthorsJames Salter wins 2012 PEN/Malamud Award James Salter, whose archive is housed at the Ransom Center, will receive the 2012 PEN/Malamud Award, which honors excellence in the art of the short story. Salter is the author of more than a dozen books, including novels Light Years (1975), A Sport and a Pastime (1967), The Arm of Flesh… read more
May 22, 2012, Filed Under: Books + Manuscripts, Conservation, Exhibitions + EventsBefore and After: Mark Twain’s Bible While writing Innocents Abroad, Samuel Clemens (known more familiarly as Mark Twain) carried a Bible during a trip to Constantinople in 1867. The book is now part of the Ransom Center’s collections and can be seen in the exhibition The King James Bible: Its History and Influence, which runs through… read more
May 17, 2012, Filed Under: Books + Manuscripts"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz": A children’s classic lives on though many editions and sequels The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of the most enduring classics of children’s literature. Despite consistent opposition, the book has survived countless attacks by critics who sniffed out a labor-friendly agenda, removal from the stacks by well-intentioned children’s librarians, and critiques of both the author (L. Frank Baum) and… read more
