These papers supplement those donated to the Institute in 1972 and 1976 (processed as Mss 10) and a later donation by his children in 2000 (processed as Mss 259).  See the finding aid for a description of this collection.)  The focus of these papers are his poems.  The poems are collected and filed according to decades.  There are also manuscript versions of many of the longer poems or books, and a collection of periodicals and books containing published poems and articles.  An important source of information for interpreting and evaluating the poems is the correspondence with other poets, editors, and agents about his work.  Among Lyons correspondents are poets Thomas McGrath, Robert Bly and W. H Auden. 

Other aspects of Lyons' interests are the papers concerning the exhibiting of his prints, his academic interests including a proposal for an American Studies program at NDSU, and his anti-war (Vietnam) activities.   An exchange of letters with North Dakota governor William Guy explores the controversy surrounding missile sites in North Dakota.

The Correspondence Series concerns the publication of Lyons' poems.  Most of these are about individual poems submitted to periodicals.  Extended correspondence about the publication of particular poems or books are filed separately in alphabetical order.  Files of correspondence with other poets are usually followed by one or two files of clippings about poems by the correspondent.  Correspondence is filed by date.  Undated letters are filed in the order found or at the back of the file. 
 
The Collected Poems Series was organized by Mr. Lyons by decade.  Two notes from Lyons concerning the collection begin the series.

The Plays Series consists of four poems and is not a complete series.  At least one play, "John, Where Are You?", is not in this group.  A note from Mr. Lyons about the plays begins this series.

The Manuscripts Series consists of the manuscripts for his poems, stories and one novel.  There are several versions of some, and if the dates are known they are indicated.  Along with the manuscript of Scanning the Land the paste-ups for the book, a group of uncut pages and miscellaneous items relating to the production and promotion of the book are included.  At the end of the manuscript series are two folders of poems filed as they were found and a folder of handwritten poems.

The Publications Series dates from his high school years (1938) until 1981.  A variety of periodicals are represented from well-established, respected journals of literature such as the Kenyon Review, to short-lived experimental publications such as The Refugee Journal of Poetry. 
 
The Research Series is composed of two folders containing information Lyons gathered on two early North Dakota poets, Aaron Beede and Captain Enoch Adams, and a third folder containing photocopies of bibliographical note cards on North Dakota and the Northwest.

The Proposal and Development Series includes Lyons formal proposals for publication and some for grants for several of his books.  Development indicates that there are papers describing progress and notes of Lyons' ideas for the project.  Scanning the Land has the most complete papers on proposal and development.

The Reviews and Clippings Series concerns Lyons' published work including, Racer and Lame, Scanning the Land, Poetry and Photographs: The Quest and the Questions, and Above Time.

The Subject Series is of projects that Lyons was involved in as a poet or writer, but do not include his own poetry.  There are introductions for poets who read for the Poetry North presentations, a transcript of an extensive interview with Thomas McGrath, an article on artist Charles Beck and material relating to a panel discussion entitled "A Sense of Place."

The Anti-war (Vietnam) Series begins the series of topics concerning Lyons' activities beyond poetry and writing.  The anti-war materials contain none of Mr. Lyons own writing but reflect an interest that is also seen in some of his poems.

The Art Exhibits and Activities Series demonstrates Mr. Lyons interest in the visual arts.  There are three folders of catalogs from exhibits in which his art work was hung dated from 1946 to 1979, and a folder of catalogs, newsletters, receipts, etc. from the Rourke Gallery of Moorhead.

The University Activities Series includes three folders of material concerning American Studies and a proposal for an American Studies program at NDSU.  There are also several folders of course material for English 300, Introduction to Humanities.  These were filed exactly as Mr. Lyons had left them.  The slides associated with the course are on the separations list.

The Biographical and Educational Data Series includes a variety of records, job applications, and a partial vita which together offer some biographical information, particularly, about his education and his early years at NDSU.

The Subject File Series includes a variety of subjects.  There are clippings about, or by, Mr. Lyons, clippings about people not included in the correspondence series, and a folder containing a report he prepared for the Fargo Community Development Project. 
 

Richard Lyons Papers  |  Literary, Music and Theater