Title: Milton Society of America Records
Inclusive Dates: 1942-2008

Creator:

• Milton Society of America

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 104

Quantity: 2.2 cubic ft. (5 boxes)
Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Records of the Milton Society of America, officially organized in 1948 to promote the advancement of scholarship on John Milton and his works. A nearly complete sequence of annual dinner and meeting programs, as well as the Milton Evening booklets which preceded them, document the society's main function, which was to bring together and honor scholars in the field, The correspondence primarily relates to the planning of the dinner and the gathering of Milton-related works for the society's library. The annual James Holly Hanford award for the best book and for the best article related to Milton is an ongoing function of the society for which it receives submissions. The collection also includes the Seventeenth Century News, the official organ of the Milton Society of America, from 1942 to 1988 with only occasional missing issues. This publication highlights recent Milton scholarship and also includes The Neo-Latin News beginning in 1954.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0104

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The idea of forming the Milton Society of America had been discussed among scholars for several years when, in 1948, Arthur Coon proposed a Milton Dinner as a starting point for a formal organization. The dinner was held December 27, 1948 in New York. The first president, James Holly Hanford, and secretary, Don M. Wolfe, along with an executive committee of six members were elected at the sixth annual dinner in 1953. A constitution and bylaws, adopted in 1957, defined the purpose of the organization as "to further the Milton scholarship, not only in this country but also abroad" through annual meetings, awards, and publications. To honor exceptional Milton scholarship, the society, in 1977, began an annual award for the best book and for best article in the field. The award was named in honor of James Holly Hanford, the society's first president.

The Seventeenth Century News was started in May 1943 (i.e. well before the official formation of the Milton Society of America) by the Seventeenth Century English Literature Group of the Modern Language Association (MLA).By 1950 it was edited by the MLA's English Discussion Group IV: The Period of Milton, but continued to focus on seventeenth century literature in general. J. Max Patrick became the first editor in December 1950 and still held this position in 1988. Beginning in 1954 the publication also included The Neo-Latin News which is "devoted to Neo-Latin Literature 1400-1950" and serves as the organ of the Neo-Latin Society of the MLA.

The files are organized alphabetically by personal name, name of office, or by subject, then chronologically. Files can contain a variety of materials, including correspondence, staff memos, and reports.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

The Milton Society of America archives came to UWM in 1988 as the result of an initiative by the late Dr. J. Max Patrick, an emeritus faculty member and member of the society. The records were transferred to the Golda Meir Library by Dr. Roger Sundell (UWM Department of English) in June 1996 (accession 1996-012). The Society transferred additional materials in August 1997 (accession 1997-025), January 2001, January 2002, January 2003, January 2005 (accession 2004-044), and January 2007 (accession 2006-029). Albert Labriola, Secretary of the Society, donated additional materials in January 2009 (accession 2008-045).

Processing Information

Rhonda Frevert and Leslie Heinrichs processed the collection at the Archives in February 1997. Kathy Koch processed an addition in September 1997. Richard Shay processed an addition in September 2000. Christel Maass added accession 2004-044 to the collection in January 2005. Diana Giordano added the items sent in January 2001, January 2002, and January 2003 to the collection in June 2006. Ryan Claringbole added accession 2006-029 in January 2007. Christel Maass added accession 2008-045 to the collection in February 2015.

UWM Manuscript Collection 104	Records, 1942-2006 Physical Description: 2.2 cubic ft. (5 boxes)
Box   1 Folder   1-3	Annual Dinner and Meeting Programs, 1955-1999
Box   5 Folder   1	Annual Dinner and Meeting Programs, 2000-2008
Box   5 Folder   2	Annual Minutes and Meeting Proceedings, 1966-2008
Box   1 Folder   4	Correspondence, 1955-1973
Box   1 Folder   5-6	Correspondence, 1975-1987
Box   1 Folder   7	Hanford Award, Correspondence, 1978-1979
Box   1 Folder   8	Hanford Award, Plaque, 1979
Box   1 Folder   9	Hanford Award, Submissions, 1983-1984
Box   1 Folder   10-13	Hanford Award, Submissions, 1989-1996
Box   3 Folder   6	Hanford Award, Submissions, 1997
Box   1 Folder   14	"The Hard Season," A Play in Three Acts, undated
Box   1 Folder   15	Membership Lists, 1954-1956
Box   1 Folder   16	Milton Encyclopedia, Contributes and Correspondence, 1973-1977
Box   1 Folder   17	Milton Evening Programs, 1949-1954
Box   4 Folder   2	Milton Conference Papers, undated
Box   4 Folder   1	Milton Tercentenary Conference, 1974
Box   4 Folder   3	Papers on Milton, undated
Box   1 Folder   18	Research Notes, James Holly Hanford, 1921
Box   1 Folder   19-21	Seventeenth Century News, 1942-1964
Box   2 Folder   1-5	Seventeenth Century News, 1965-1979
Box   3 Folder   1-3	Seventeenth Century News, 1980-1988
Box   3 Folder   4	Speeches, 1954
Box   3 Folder   5	"The Tragedy of John Milton," Television Broadcast, 1955-1956