Lesley Himes papers

Collection

Identifier: 690

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of Lesley Himes document her life with African American novelist and short story writer Chester Himes as expatriates living in Spain, as well as her life following his passing in 1984. The collection includes correspondence with biographers, writers, literary agents, fans of Chester Himes's work, film producers, family, and friends. Photographs of Chester and Lesley Himes, along with friends and associates, are present as loose photographs in two photograph albums. Additional materials include posthumous publications of Chester Himes' work, as well as literary contracts and royalty statements, writings about him and adaptations of his work, newspaper clippings, and collected materials.

Dates

created: 1934-2008
Other: Date acquired: 06/01/2001

Creator

Himes, Lesley (Eileen Mary Lesley Packard) (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

8.34 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Lesley Himes

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Accruals and Additions

Accruals received in 2005 and 2009.

Related Materials

The Amistad Research Center also houses the papers of Chester Himes, as well as 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.