William J. Schafer Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 09-9.41

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of correspondence and notes, writings and research, and records of Schafer's committee and other professional work.

Dates

Other: Date acquired: 05/07/2001

Creator

Schafer, William John (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on use by researchers other than federal copyright restrictions. Some designated personnel files, and personal information held therein, may be restricted.

Extent

4.00 ms_boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

William J. (Bill) Schafer was a Professor of English from 1964 to 2002 at Berea College, where he became the Chester D. Tripp Professor of Humanities. Schafer’s publications included academic articles on American literature, jazz reviews, fiction, personal essays, a co-edited online periodical (Journal of Provincial Thought) and four books on various forms of popular music (rock, ragtime, New Orleans marching bands, and the music of Jelly Roll Morton). Schafer passed away in August 2009.

Arrangement Note

Arrangement of the collection is in two series as follows:

Series 1: Berea College Work, Correspondence, and Reports: Material related to Schafer's work at Berea College

Series 2: Writings, Publications, and Research: Records and materials related to Schafer's research and writings, including correspondence with publishing companies and reviews of his publications

Source of Acquisition

William Schafer/Berea College English Department

Related Materials

Berea College Special Collections and Archives: RG 6.21: English, Theatre and Communications Department; RG 9.0: Faculty and Staff (Unofficial Records); HC 06: Berea Community Collection

Related Publications

Published works of Schafer include:

Brass Bands and New Orleans Jazz. With assistance from Richard B. Allen. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1977.

The Truman Nelson Reader. Editor. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1989.

The Art of Ragtime; Form and Meaning of an Original Black American Art. With Johannes Riedel, and assistance from Michael Polad and Richard Thompson. Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 1973.

Processing Information

Original processing by Robert Boyce and Jaime Bradley 2010-2011. Additional processing 2014. Reprocessed and creation of new boxlist Oct 2020 by Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist. Finding guide published Oct 2020.