Lorine Niedecker collection

Collection

Identifier: MC 76

Staff Only

Abstract

Lorine Faith Niedecker was a Wisconsin poet and the only woman associated with the Objectivist poets. She was a member of the Beloit College class of 1926, but she left school during her sophomore year and did not return. This is a collection primarily of writing about Niedecker, and includes her files from the Beloit College Alumni Office and many published biographical and critical accounts. There is a small amount of her poetry and art.

Dates

1922-2005

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

From: Burwell, Fred. "The Poet's Years at Beloit College," The Beloit Magazine. (January 1996), page 7

When Lorine Niedecker applied to Beloit College in 1922, she wrote that her favorite studies were "English and French" and that her favorite activities were "literary, aesthetic dancing and dramatic." A few other brittle and time-worn documents reveal in part the life Niedecker led as a student here.

We know that as a freshman she lived in old Chapin Hall and moved to Stowell Cottage her sophomore year. She performed well academically in English, music, and philosophy, though not so well in botany and economics.

In June 1923, she was elected secretary-treasurer of the women's debating society, known as the Girls' Forum Club.

Biographies mention Niedecker's life-long devotion to music. At Beloit, joining other msuic students in recital, she performed on the piano "Le Papillon," by Lavelle.

That Lorine Niedecker would emerge as one of the nation's innovative poets is hinted at only once. In May 1923, the women's literary society, known as Ka Ne, invited a number of students to its meeting. "Laurine" Niedecker, as the Round Table reported it, was among five freshman women who presented papers. The future poet read "Koshkonong" and "Fever." The newspaper praised her originality.

A member of the class of 1926, Niedecker left Beloit after her sophomore year to care for her ailing mother. She never returned to college.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

The primary Niedecker archives are in the Dwight Foster Public Library (which inherited Niedecker's personal library) and the Hoard Museum in Fort Atkinson (which holds a collection of Niedecker's papers, as preserved and donated by her neighbor and close friend, Gail Roub). [from Wikipedia, accessed May 23, 2013]