Robert Francis Collection, 1915-1987, undated
Table of Contents
Robert Francis
Abstract
The Robert Francis Collection contains correspondence, writings, personal files, and personal effects from Robert Francis, a poet who lived in Amherst for 60 years. Most of this collection relates to his personal rather than professional life, and includes materials about his family, his life in Amherst and connection to the Jones Library, and his friendship with Robert Frost.Biographical Note
Robert Churchill Francis was born on August 12, 1901, in Upland, Pennsylvania to the Reverend Ebenezer F. and Ida May (Allen) Francis. The family moved to Massachusetts in 1910, and in 1919 Robert graduated from Medford High School. He attended Harvard University, earning an A. B. in 1923 and an Ed. M. in 1926. Between these two degrees he spent a year teaching at Beirut University in Lebanon. In 1926 Francis moved to Amherst to teach high school English. The teaching job only lasted a single year; writing became his life's work. In 1940 he built his home on Market Hill Road, naming it Fort Juniper.Robert Francis is best known for his volumes of poetry and his numerous contributions to journals and magazines. His first book, Stand With Me Here, was published in 1936. The last book to be published during his lifetime was Traveling in Amherst: A Poet's Journal (1986). Other writings include The Sound I Listened For (1950), Orb Weavers (1960), Like Ghosts of Eagles (1974), and Butterhill (1984). His Collected Poems was published in 1971. Francis was also noted for his essays, many of which appeared in Forum, Christian Science Monitor, Virginia Quarterly Review, Atlantic Monthly, and Massachusetts Review. The Satirical Rogue on Poetry, a collection of essays, appeared in 1968. An autobiography, The Trouble With Francis, was published in 1971.
Robert Francis was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his writing career including the Golden Rose of the New England Poetry Club (1942-43) and fellowships from Breadloaf (1936), the American Academy in Rome (1957-58), and the Academy of American Poets (1984). He died in 1987.
During his life Robert Francis had a close relationship with The Jones Library. He was a constant patron, made use of a study on the third floor, and laid out an herb garden behind the building. He was well known in Amherst from his poetry readings at The Jones. Among these was his 85th birthday celebration held at the library, attended by a gathering of poets and other admirers. A memorial service after his death was held at the library. He frequently appeared on the WFCR radio series "Poems to a Listener," including the debut performance of the program in 1977.
Provenance
In 1991, the Trustees of the Estate of Robert Francis transferred his personal archives to The Jones Library, which included family letters and photographs, files on various subjects, and personal copies of his own works.The Lovell Family correspondence was a gift from Bob Lovell in 1996. The Bill Arnold series was donated by Bill Arnold in 1990.
This is an active collection and new acquisitions may be added at any time.
Related Materials
Robert Francis library (shelved separately in Special Collections)Digitized materials on the Digital Amherst website
Robert Francis Collection at the University of Massachusetts, Special Collections and University Archives
Robert Francis Papers at Syracuse University
Arrangement and Series Descriptions
This collection is organized into seven series:Series 1: Writings (1926-1987, not inclusive)
Various articles, essays, manuscripts, and poetry written by Francis or about his works. This series includes two typewritten copies of his Masters’ Thesis: Expression in Violin Playing. The writings are organized alphabetically by type and then by title. Many writings are undated.
Series 2: Correspondence (1915-1987)
This series is separated into three subseries: Subseries A: Outgoing Correspondence, Subseries B: Incoming Correspondence, and Subseries C: Correspondence from Mary Persis Crafts. Subseries A is arranged alphabetically by recipient. Subseries B is arranged chronologically, with some correspondence arranged alphabetically by name of the writer after the chronological section. Subseries C is organized chronologically.
Series 3: General
This series contains materials relating to the life of Robert Francis and includes newspaper clippings, event information, a typescript of a journal kept by Francis, recipes, and information relating to the life and death of his father, Reverend Eben Francis. This series also includes a large box of personal effects as well as Francis’s violin.
Series 4: Subject Files
This series contains files of materials collected by Francis on various subjects, and is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Series 5: Photographs/AV
This series contains photographs and audio-visual materials owned by or created about Francis. The photographs are first, and are arranged alphabetically by topic. The “Francis Through the Looking Glass” video series is housed in its own two boxes. The LP recordings are housed in a separate box titled “Audio Recordings” which is stored with other AV materials.
Series 6: Music
Three boxes of music for the violin. Francis used much of this music in his teaching.
Series 7: Bill Arnold
This series was donated to the Jones by Bill Arnold in 1990 and maintains the original order in which it was donated.
Series 1: Writings, 1926-1987 (not inclusive)
| Box | Title/Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Articles - About Robert Frost | 1932, 1953, undated |
| 1 | Articles - Christian Science Monitor | 1936-1953 (not inclusive), 1985, undated |
| 1 | Articles - Newspaper (various publications) | 1934, 1976 |
| 1 | Books - Advertisements | Various |
| 1 | Books - Collected Poems - Reading at Jones Library | 1976 |
| 1 | Books - Collected Poems - Reviews | 1977 |
| 1 | Books - Late Fire, Late Snow | 1987 |
| 1 | Books - Like Ghosts of Eagles - Typescript | Undated |
| 1 | Books - The Trouble With Francis Includes a copy of the 'Soybeans for Walden' letter |
1971, undated |
| 1 | Books - We Fly Away | Undated |
| 1 | Books - We Fly Away - Adaptation by Eleanor L. Niedeck | Undated |
| 1 | Books - We Fly Away - Notes | Undated |
| 1 | Books - We Fly Away - Typescript | Undated |
| 2 | Early Writings - Philosophical | Undated |
| 2 | Early Writings - Religious | Undated |
| 2 | Essays - Clarification of God | 1982 |
| 2 | Essays - Forum Magazine | 1948, 1949 |
| 2 | Essays - General | Undated |
| 2 | Essays - A Month in Amherst of the Nineteen-Twenties | Undated |
| 2 | Essays - My Basic Blessings | 1981, undated |
| 2 | Essays - Poetry as Disciplined Play | 1963, 1966 |
| 2 | Essays - Satirical Rogue | 1970, 1971 |
| 2 | Essays - They Were All Young Once | Undated |
| 2 | Essays - Two-Home Francis | 1975 |
| 2 | Essays - What A Witch Told Me | Undated |
| 2 | Manuscripts - Children of God | Undated |
| 2 | Manuscripts - Expression in Violin Playing | 1926 |
| 2 | Manuscripts - Father Gander Rhymes | 1952 |
| 2 | Manuscripts - Notes on Fragrance | Circa 1931 |
| 3 | Manuscripts - Orthodox Views on Poetry | 1984, undated |
| 3 | Manuscripts - Rome Without Camera | 1957-1958 |
| 3 | Poetry - Christmas | Various |
| 3 | Poetry - General | Various, undated |
| 3 | Poetry - Jenkins Manuscripts | Undated |
| 3 | Poetry - Poems in Leaflets | 1960, undated |
| 3 | Poetry - Silent Poem | 1977 |
| 3 | Poetry - Special Printings | 1971, undated |
Subseries A: Outgoing
| Box | Title/Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Burack, Nonny Burack was Francis's secretary here in Amherst during the year he spent in Italy |
1967-1968 |
| 3 | Dwight, Miss | 1939 |
| 3 | Edmonds, Madeline & Sidney | 1938, 1941, 1943, 1981 |
| 3 | Elliott, Irvine & Marjorie Atkins | 1933, 1966-1984 (not inclusive) |
| 3 | Harik Family Includes correspondence between Raida Harik and Helen Ward about Francis in 1991 |
1927-1929, 1991 (see note) |
| 3 | Harvard University | 1976 August |
| 3 | Ingraham, Vernon | 1951, 1962, 1969, 1974, 1985 |
| 3 | Jones Library Correspondence to Charles Green, William Merrill, and Dan Lombardo |
1936, 1942, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1983 |
| 3 | Kirk, Dorothy Wyman (2 folders) | 1942-1979 (not inclusive) |
| 3 | Lovell Family (Sydney, Louise, Bernard, and Robert) Includes letters from Francis when he was in the Army during WWII, 1942-1943. Gift of Bob (Robert) Lovell. |
1939-1949 (not inclusive), 1975, 1977, 1981-1982 |
| 3 | Swallow, Alan | 1948-1949 |
| 3 | Christmas Cards | Various |
| 3 | Christmas Cards to Dorothy Wyman Kirk | Various |
Subseries B: Incoming Correspondence
| Box | Title/Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Correspondence | 1920-1945 |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1946-1981 |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1982 January-May |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1982 June-November |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1983-1984 |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1985 |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1986 |
| 4 | Correspondence | 1987 |
| 4 | Correspondence | Undated |
| 5 | Birthday Cards - 80th Birthday | 1981 |
| 5 | Birthday Cards | 1982-1984, undated |
| 5 | Christmas Cards | 1984 |
| 5 | Christmas Cards | 1986 |
| 5 | Condolences on the death of his father | 1940 |
| 5 | Donnelly, Dorothy | 1978, 1979 |
| 5 | Family | Various |
| 5 | Francis, Clarissa (Step-mother) | 1919, 1924, 1943, 1956-1958 |
| 5 | Francis, Eben (Father) | 1915, 1918, 1922-1924, 1939, undated |
| 5 | Correspondence concerning Francis to Dorothy W. Kirk | 1954, undated |
| 5 | Correspondence concerning Francis | 1930, 1934, 1968, 1971, 1988 |
Subseries C: Correspondence from Mary Persis Crafts, 1947-1996 (bulk 1952-1963)
| Box | Title/Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Correspondence | 1947-1951 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1952 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1953 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1954 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1955 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1956 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1957 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1958 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1959 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1960 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1961 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1962 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1963 |
| 6 | Correspondence | 1964-1966 |
| Box | Title/Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Academy of American Poets Fellowship | 1984 |
| 7 | Amherst Ballet Theatre Company | 1980 |
| 7 | Awards | 1983 |
| 7 | Bibliography | Undated |
| 7 | Biography | 1990, undated |
| 7 | Books - Advertisements | Undated |
| Oversized | Broadsides | |
| 7 | Budget | 1973-1974, 1976-1978, 1984-1985 |
| 7 | Bust | 1977 |
| 7 | Buttermilk Club | 1941 |
| 7 | Clippings | 1930s |
| 7 | Clippings | 1940s-1960s |
| 7 | Clippings | 1970s |
| 7 | Clippings | 1980s |
| 7 | Compositions (Musical) | Undated |
| 7 | Copyright certificates | Various |
| 7 | Events - 85th Birthday Celebration | 1986 |
| 7 | Events - Book signing | 1985 |
| 7 | Events - Notes for poetry readings | Undated |
| 7 | Events - Poetry readings | Undated |
| 7 | Events - Poetry readings - Bangs Center | 1982 |
| 7 | Events - Robert Francis Day | 1980 |
| 7 | Exhibits | 1981-1982 |
| 7 | Fort Juniper - Sign from front door | Undated |
| 7 | Francis, Eben - Appointment Diary | 1940 |
| 7 | Francis, Eben - Biography | Undated |
| 7 | Francis, Eben - Clippings | 1921, 1936, 1950, undated |
| 8 | Francis, Eben - Correspondence Letters sent to Rev. Eben Francis |
1939, 1940, 1981-1983 |
| 8 | Francis, Eben - Death | 1940 |
| 8 | Francis, Eben - Legal Documents Marriage certificates, naturalization certificate, ministry certificates |
Various |
| 8 | Francis, Eben - Misc. | Various |
| 8 | Francis Family - Scrapbook Created by Eben Francis, contains genealogical data, news clippings, other ephemera |
Undated |
| 8 | Frost Christmas Poems | 1933-1962 (not inclusive) |
| 8 | Frost Relationship | Various |
| 8 | Italic Handwriting Competition Francis's poem "Watching Gymnasts" was used for the contestants to copy |
1968-1969 |
| 8 | Jones Library Information on Francis's Founder's Day talks, the herb garden he created, and other information |
Various |
| 8 | Journal | 1931-1959 |
| 8 | Journal (copy) | 1931-1959 |
| 8 | Manager - A. H. Handley | 1940-1941 |
| 8 | Medical History | 1942, 1953, 1971, 1983-1985 |
| 9 | Memorial Celebration | 1987 |
| 9 | Morris Dancers | 1980, 1981, 1985, undated |
| 9 | New England Poetry Club | 1928 |
| 9 | Obituaries Copies of Francis's obituary form various sources |
1987 |
| 9 | Poems Set to Music | |
| 9 | Publishing | Various |
| 9 | Publishing Contracts | Various |
| 9 | Reading Notes on Francis's personal reading |
Undated |
| 9 | Recipes (2 folders) Recipes and cookbooks, including the recipe for Francis's "Fort Juniper Special" bread |
Undated |
| 9 | References to Francis | 1971, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1999 |
| 9 | Remembrances | 1988, 1999 |
| 9 | Reviews | Various |
| 9 | Robert Francis Footbridge | 1979-1980 |
| 9 | Schoonmaker Papers | Various |
| 9 | Sound Track for a Silent Vigil | 1969 |
| 9 | Thoreau Society | 1983-1984 |
| 9 | Thoreau Society Address | 1977 |
| 9 | Translation | Undated |
| 9 | Violin Performances | 1949-1952, undated |
| 9 | Violin Teaching | Undated |
| 10 | Personal Effects Items that belonged to Francis, including eyeglasses, a stereopticon viewer and cards, sewing kit, a picture of his mother, and his award from the Academy of American Poets |
|
| Unboxed | Violin |
| Box | Title/Description |
|---|---|
| 11 | Arts |
| 11 | Communication |
| 11 | Death |
| 11 | Dickinson, Emily - "The Belle of Amherst" |
| 11 | Education |
| 11 | England |
| 11 | Health (2 folders) |
| 11 | History |
| 11 | Holidays |
| 11 | Ireland (2 folders) |
| 12 | Italy (3 folders) |
| 12 | Keats and Shelly |
| 12 | Local Biographies |
| 12 | Miscellaneous (2 folders) |
| 13 | Miscellaneous |
| 13 | Nature |
| 13 | Philosophy |
| 13 | Poems - Sources |
| 13 | Psychiatry |
| 13 | Quotations (2 folders) |
| 13 | Reading |
| 13 | Sports |
| Box | Title/Descriptions | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Photographs - 1 Francis as a younger man |
|
| 14 | Photographs - 2 Francis as an older man |
|
| 14 | Photographs - 3 | |
| 14 | Photographs - Childhood | |
| 14 | Photographs - European trip with his father | |
| 14 | Photographs - Family | |
| 14 | Photographs - Fort Juniper | |
| 14 | Photographs - Lebanon | |
| 14 | Photographs - Lovell Family See also: Correspondence: Subseries A: Lovell Family |
|
| 14 | Photographs - Miscellaneous | |
| 14 | Photographs - Negatives (2 folders) | |
| 14 | Photographs - Parents | |
| 14 | Photographs - Unidentified | |
| 15 | AV - 85th Birthday Celebration | 1986 |
| 15 | AV - Kaynor, Fay - Robert Francis and Children | |
| 15 | AV - Like Ghosts of Eagles - Recording | |
| 15 | AV - Memorials | |
| 15 | AV - Poems to a Listener (2 folders) | |
| 15 | Poetry readings | |
| 16 & 17 | AV - Francis Through the Looking Glass - A Video Portrait | |
| AV Recordings | Selections from Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle | 1968 |
| AV Recordings | Selections from Faces and Places: Poems for You | 1971 |
| AV Recordings | Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle... | 1967 |
| AV Recordings | Todays' Poets: Their Poems - Their Voices, Volume 1 | 1967 |
| AV Recordings | An Introduction to Poetry | 1964 |
| AV Recordings | Robert Francis Reads His Poems... (4 copies) | 1975 |
| AV Recordings | Readings and Dramatizations for Communicating | 1973 |
| AV Recordings | Some Haystacks Don't Even Have Any Needle | 1970 |
| AV Recordings | When the Mode of the Music Changes | Undated |
| AV Recordings | Sound Image: A Magazine of Aural and Visual Art, Number 1 | 1975 |
Series 7: Bill Arnold Collection
| Box | Title/Description |
|---|---|
| 21 | Finding Aid |
| 21 | Arnold, Bill |
| 21 | Volumes 1 & 2 - Folder 1 |
| 21 | Volumes 1 & 2 - Folder 2 |
| 21 | Volumes 1 & 2 - Folder 3 |
| 21 | Volumes 1 & 2 - Folder 4 |
| 21 | Volume 3 - Folder 1 |
| 21 | Volume 3 - Folder 2 |
| 22 | Volume 4 - Folder 1 |
| 22 | Volume 4 - Folder 2 |
| 22 | Volume 5 - Folder 1 |
| 22 | Volume 5 - Folder 2 |
| 22 | Volume 6 - Folder 1 |
| 22 | Volume 6 - Folder 2 |
| 22 | Volume 6 - Folder 3 |
| 22 | Memorabilia A paper knife, paperweight, and two postcards given to Bill Arnold by Robert Francis |