The Jamaica Manuscripts Collection contains 20 documents, most of which concern Jamaica in a variety of ways (others are regarding the British West Indies at large). Included, among other things, are plantation records, correspondence, journals, official documents such as power of attorney documents and affidavits, notes on the climate of Jamaica, and Spanish reports on English possessions. Some of these are originals, where others are later 20th century documents about Jamaica or typescripts of letters.
The James A. Michener Papers consist of correspondence, notes, research materials and drafts of manuscripts created and compiled by best-selling author James A. Michener (1907-1997) in the course of his work on the novel Caribbean (1989).
Correspondence and memoranda found within the files provides information concerning the intellectual preparation required to compose an historical novel that spans more than four hundred years. Michener chose to preserve the results of his research and editorial efforts "... so that aspiring writers can see what work lies ahead for them if they finally succeed. Stated better, what work they will have to do if they want to succeed." Exchanges with editorial staff members throughout the stages of manuscript preparation, and the concurrent suggestions, recommendations and revisions to the manuscript noted on various "copies" of the manuscript illuminate the internal aspects of the modern publishing industry.
The author includes notes and correspondence concerning the logistical, financial and personal decisions that influence the creative process. The pervasive degree of experimentation, discovery and change inherent in the process of creative writing appears throughout the stages of this manuscript. The very title of the novel, Caribbean, is a reflection of this evolutionary process, for the author first conceived on calling the volume Lost in the Sun.
The James F. O'Boyle Papers contains two manuscripts, one titled "The Coke Twins" and dated 1985, and other titled "Black Night, Black Dawn" and dated 1995.
This collection contains speeches, interviews, scrapbooks, programs, writings, newspaper clippings, and other items from the office of Jay F. W. Pearson, second president of the University of Miami.
This collection contains typed manuscripts, drafts, poems, periodicals, publications, correspondence, news clippings, photographs, slides, negatives, VHS tapes, audiocassette tapes, CDs and other archival materials from the local South Floridian poet, Jeffrey Knapp (1949-2011). Also included in the collection are photographs and research materials on the South Floridian artist, Betti Bernay (also known as Betty Godlfarb; 1926-2010).
The Johann Heinrich Hesse Papers contains a 1791 manuscript of Johann Heinrich Hesse (1712-1778)'s "Anweisung zum General-Baß," or "Guide to Thorough-Bass."
Dr. Josephine Johnson is Professor Emeritus of the University of Miami School of Communication, former Chair of the Department of Communications, and alumna of the University. Her scholarship extends from W. B. Yeats to post-modern British poets. She is a recognized solo performer throughout the country.
Josephine Johnson's papers contains documents pertaining to her work in organizing a number of poetry events in the Miami area, including the Richter Library Poetry Series and poetry recitals in Beaumont Hall presented by the University of Miami Chamber Theatre, as well as personal research materials.
The collection contains videocassettes, DVDs, film reels, clippings, letters, reports, certificates, sheet music, photos, programs, manuscripts.
The papers document professional activities of Dr. Jorge Aguayo, who was the founder of the School of Library Science at the University of Havana. He came to the United States in 1960 and was the director of the Columbus Memorial Library at the Organization of American States until his retirement in 1973. The materials include correspondence, publications and clippings of articles written by Jorge Aguayo, as well as, an unpublished manuscript book written by Jorge Aguayo about his father and titled: "A Memoir of Alfredo M. Aguayo." The manuscript documents the career of Alfredo M. Aguayo, who was a reformer of the educational system from elementary school to universities, in Cuba, at the beginning of the Republican period, and who elevated the rank of the School of Education at the University of Havana to graduate School of Education, as well as, wrote many books on education.
The Jorge Castellanos Papers contain personal papers from the exiled Cuban professor and author Jorge Castellanos (1915-2011). The collection contains research notes, book manuscripts and copies of published works authored by Jorge Castellanos related to his research and writings.
Dr. José Agustín Balseiro (1900-1991) was an award-winning author, poet, and scholar of Latin American Studies and Hispanic literature. He was also a professor of Hispanic Literature at the University of Miami from 1946 to 1967.
Throughout his career, Dr. Balseiro exhibited a strong interest in Latin American and Hispanic-American studies, Latin American and Spanish literature, and Puerto Rican history and literature. His papers, donated to the University of Miami, reflect all of these interests and range in date from his earliest activities as a writer in Spain to his final days working as a consultant to the University of Miami Libraries starting in 1974. Much of the content consists of correspondence, clippings, typescripts, and periodicals in which Balseiro’s writings were featured. Also included is sheet music belonging to his father, Rafael Balseiro, who was a Puerto Rican composer.
Of special note are three bronze medallions: (1) from the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, commemorating el primer Centenario del Natalicio de Luiz Muñoz Rivera (the centennial of the birth of Luiz Muñoz Rivera); (2) from the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, commemorating el Centenario de la Abolición de la Esclavidud in Puerto Rico (the centennial of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico); and (3) from the University of Panama commemorating the first 25 years of the University’s existence.
The papers consist of published and unpublished works by and about Varela Zequeira, noted Cuban physician and literary author of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection also includes some materials of his granddaughter Beatriz Varela’s, primarily pertaining to her research for the biography she authored about Varela Zequeira.
The Joseph Spencer Kennard Papers includes correspondence, a scrapbook, and the manuscript of A Literary History of the Italian People (1940) by Joseph Spencer Kennard (1859-1944), author of several books about Italian literature and theater.
The papers consist of the manuscripts of Cuban songs written by Juan Valdés Terán in Cuban prison where he was held as a political prisoner for many years, correspondence, clippings, memorabilia and photographs.
A local poet who grew up in Manhattan and resided in Miami Beach, Florida for the latter years of her life, Judith Anne Berke (Sep 9, 1931 - Jul 24, 2013) wrote and published several works that embody the spirit of Florida, its unique history and its people. She attended Smith College in her youth and began writing when she was 49 years of age then published her first book in 1989. Outside of writing, she studied painting at l'Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris and was a skilled sculptor. She also studied acting, designed puppets, and sang in the Opera Guild of Greater Miami, demonstrating a huge breadth of talent that spanned many disciplines.
Her papers include her manuscripts, drafts, and poems either in notebooks or in typescripts. Also included are some of her scrapbooks and a sculpted bust.
The Julian Corrington Papers contain teaching and academic files concerning the University of Miami in addition to materials on scientific research and literature. Class records and course materials, dated 1944-63, include syllabi, memos, lecture notes, book lists, lists of research topics, correspondence with students and student recommendations. Other correspondence and memos, relating to the Biology Department discuss such topics as the curriculum, course requirements, faculty meetings and building plans. University of Miami "faculty notices," and "university memoranda" cover announcements of library news, information on education, and the Science Department. The records also contain publications such as "Self Portrait of a University," and a program from the 1962 dedication of the Otto G. Richter Library. Correspondence with faculty of other universities discusses the merits of general introductory science courses versus more specialized instruction.
Several files contain manuscripts and correspondence dealing with publications. Other files include materials on the electron microscope and include photographs taken through the microscope, reprints of articles and news clippings relating to the microscope. "Field Check Lists," dated 1917-21, and field trip reports record observations on the sea coast at Georgetown University. Photographs document trips led by Corrington. Reprints and publications on various scientific topics as well as and bulletins, newsletters, and programs from various scientific and scholarly organizations are included in files. Additional files of particular interest contain newspaper clippings and literature from various organizations on eugenics, genetics and the teaching of evolution. Corrington collected these materials, dated 1920-44, for inclusion in class lectures.
Born in Cifuentes, Cuba in 1861, Julio A. Domínguez was a member of the Cuban rebel army better known as Mambises o Ejército Libertador. After the Spanish American War, he held many positions in the Cuban government under American jurisdiction and later when Cuba became a republic. The collection is comprised of documents related to his activities during the Cuban Independence War against Spain. Letters signed by General José J. Monteagudo, documents from "Ejército Libertador de Cuba" from the late 1890s, and photographs are some of the materials gathered in this collection.
The abolition of enslavement in Cuba took place gradually over the course of several years. In 1880, the Spanish colonial government instituted a system called patronato, loosely translated as "apprenticeship." Most of the workings of the enslavement system were preserved, but patrocinados, as former enslaved people came to be known, received a minimal set of legal rights and were to be paid a token wage. The transition to the patronato system was overseen by a provincial network of government agencies called Juntas de Patronato. The Junta Provincial de Patronato de Matanzas was created in 1880 when the Law of Patronato was passed. As a central body, it processed claims and cases from a series of local juntas throughout the province of Matanzas. The records in this collection contain official documents, correspondence between local juntas and the main junta, and tables reporting names or numbers of patrocinados. The collection also documents the cases of individual patrocinados who were trying to obtain their freedom through the provisions of the new law.
All of the materials in this collection have been digitized and are available through the University of Miami Digital Collections.
Matanzas (Cuba : Province). Junta Provincial de Patronato
Partially handwritten, partially typewritten, hand colored illustrated manuscript. Contains 24 watercolor illustrations. The manuscript contains two epistolary short stories written by Kate Whiting Patch. Both stories "A Garden Idyl" and "The Blue Bird's Return" were originally published in Harper's Magazine. Illustrator is unknown.
