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Katherine Anne Porter Holdings in Special Collections

A guide to Katherine Anne Porter papers and related collections in Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Maryland Libraries.

Welcome to the Special Collections Guide to Katherine Anne Porter

Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Maryland is home to the primary archive for American author Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980). Porter is known primarily for her short stories and novel, Ship of Fools, but also published nonfiction. She was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 1966 for The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter. Her personal papers reflect her interests in writing, travel, politics, and current events and also document her private life.

The Katherine Anne Porter papers consist of materials that Miss Porter created, received, or collected during her lifetime (1890-1980). The materials include correspondence; manuscripts and drafts of both published and unpublished literary works, notes, and research materials; items relating to Porter's awards, her organizational interests, and her lecturing and college teaching careers; legal and financial documentation; personal materials; newspaper and magazine clippings; print material; serials; manuscripts written by other individuals; audio recordings; three-dimensional memorabilia; and photographs.

Additional collections related to Katherine Anne Porter include the papers of Paul Porter, Anne Heintze, Isabel Bayley, Donald Elder, Mary Louis Doherty, Delafield Day Spier, and the Glenway Wescott Collection. 

The collection also contains memorabilia, including Mexican pottery, furniture, awards, and diplomas, as well as her personal library. Many of these objects and a portion of her library are housed in the Katherine Anne Porter Room in Hornbake Library.

Inquiries about permission to publish the work of Katherine Anne Porter should be directed to:


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