Chester Himes papers

Collection

Identifier: 180

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of African American novelist and short story writer Chester B. Himes are comprised of correspondence; financial, legal and other personal records; professional records including literary contracts and royalty statements; photographs; manuscripts and published appearances of Himes' writings; and collected articles and reviews about Himes. Of note is the extensive correspondence between Himes and various individuals, including writers, publishers, literary agents, friends, fans, researchers, and others. His manuscripts reflect his writing from his early periodical appearances to his later autobiography and novels. The collection is organized into five series: 1) Correspondence, 2) Personal and Professional Papers, 3) Photographs and Artwork, 4) Writings by Chester Himes, and 5) Writings by Others and Collected Materials.

Dates

created: 1933-1984
Other: Date acquired: 06/01/1990

Creator

Himes, Chester B. (Chester Bomar), 1909-1984 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright to these papers has not been assigned to the Amistad Research Center. It is the responsibility of an author to secure permission for publication from the holder of the copyright to any material contained in this collection.

Extent

13.30 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

E.M. Lesley Himes

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Related Materials

The Amistad Research Center also houses the papers of Chester Himes' wife, Lesley Himes, which document their life together and continued interest in his work by publishers following his death. The Center also houses the papers of his brother, Joseph S. Himes. The Center's library houses an extensive collection of Himes' books, particularly foreign translations.

Additional collections of Chester Himes' papers are at Yale University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Ohio State University.

Related Publications

Edward Margolies and Michel Fabre. The Several Lives of Chester Himes. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 1997.

James Sallis. Chester Himes: A Life. New York: Walker and Company, 2000.

Separated Materials

Lesley Himes' papers originally accessed as an addendum to the Chester Himes papers were later established as a separate collection. Material that post-dated the life of Chester Himes and originally housed in his papers has been transferred to the Lesley Himes Papers.