Evelyn Scott Papers
The bulk of this collection contains correspondence between Evelyn Scott, her family, friends, and business associates written between 1948 and 1956. Also available are drafts of unpublished works including The Gravestones Wept and Evelyn Scott’s autobiography, Scott’s scrapbook, and a small collection of other personal papers.
SERIES I: Works and Drafts
This series contains Scott’s unpublished works and drafts arranged alphabetically. It also includes plays written by Scott and her first husband, Cyril Kay Scott, as well as several drafts of The Gravestones Wept.
SERIES II: Correspondence
This series contains correspondence between Scott and her friends, family, and business associates. Many letters are written to publishers and grant institutions, representing Scott’s attempts to publish or obtain funding for literary projects. Others are written to friends and discuss her daily life and personal developments. Other topics include Scott’s reentry into the U.S. after residing in England, Scott’s relationship with her son, and Scott’s views on the state of the arts in Europe and the U.S. The material in this series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
SERIES III: Memorabilia and Personal Papers
This series contains Scott’s personal effects, including a large scrapbook of reviews, photographs, and a draft of her autobiography. Also included is a reel-to-reel tape of Peggy Bach’s Evelyn Scott, A Rediscovery recorded by LSU’s Television-Radio Service in 1984.
Dates
- 1766, 1928-1984, undated
- Majority of material found within 1948-1956
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
4.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
The bulk of this collection contains correspondence between Evelyn Scott, her family, friends, and business associates written between 1948 and 1956. Also available are drafts of unpublished works including The Gravestones Wept and Evelyn Scott’s autobiography, Scott’s scrapbook, and a small collection of other personal papers.
Biographical/Historical Note
Author Evelyn Scott (1893-1963) was born Elsie Dunn in Clarksville, Tennessee to Seely and Maude Thomas Dunn. The family moved around but Scott was primarily raised in New Orleans. In 1913, she married Frederick Creighton Wellman (1873-1960), and they changed their names to Evelyn Scott and Cyril Kay-Scott (largely because Cyril was already married); the couple then fled to Brazil where they lived until 1919. Together they had one son, Creighton “Jigg” Scott, born in 1914. It was also during her time in Brazil that Scott began writing poetry and essays. She then published her first trilogy of novels, beginning with The Narrow House, between 1921-1923. Over the next two decades, Scott published several works including the critically acclaimed The Wave (1929) and Eva Gay (1932). She later left Cyril by 1928, and then married novelist John Metcalfe (1891-1965) in 1930. Following health complications, Scott died in 1963.
Arrangement
This collection is divided into the following three series:
- Series I: Works and Drafts
- Series II: Correspondence
- Series III: Memorabilia and Personal Papers
Previous Citation
Parts of this collection were previously listed as MS.1991, MS.2064, MS.2500, and MS.2523.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository