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VCU James Branch Cabell Library
Special Collections and Archives 901 Park AvenueWeb version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Ray Bonis
None.
Collection is open for use without restrictions.
Box-folder, Virginia Writer's Club Archives, M 160, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University
Received from Secretary Edgar MacDonald, and separate donations from members.
Collection processed in February 1990 and updated in 1994.
The Virginia Writer's Club was organized on 20 November 1918 at the instigation of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Travers Clover and under the sponsorship of Dr. Orie Latham Hatcher, who invited James Branch Cabell and a few other Richmond writers to afternoon tea and proposed the formation of a club "to make Richmond an influence in the world of letters and to line it up with other literary centers of the country".
During its early years the club attracted many who would go on to represent the city and the state in the literary world. Many of its members endorsed the short-lived Reviewer and numerous contributed articles over its four year run. After four years the Club had 45 members, 26 of whom had published books. Other had contributed to magazines, newspapers or other literary-related endeavors Meetings were held monthly and included readings of member's work and an occasional speaker. For much of the period between 1923 and 1961 the Club was led by Hattie Belle Gresham, more of an organizer and promoter of literature than a writer.
In October 1961 the Club was reorganized with new officers and by-laws. The somewhat modified character the Club assumed in 1961 has been maintained ever since. It is an interesting association of published writers in various fields for the promotion of good writing, or, in the words of the by-laws, "to provide a means of exchanging ideas and stimulating the art and craft of professional writing." A history of the Club is included in the collection.
The Club does not possess minutes for the years 1923-1961 and the current collection contains materials from 1951 to 1994. The archives includes correspondence, minutes, manuscripts, achievement notices, news clippings, by-laws, photographs and membership lists. The bulk of the material dates from the 1980s and 1990s and has been submitted to the archives by various members of the club.
(See also Newspaper Clippings)