Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Edna Frederikson Papers, 1972-1992, SC 0278, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Donated to Massanutten Regional Library by David Hudson, Edna's nephew and literary executor. With permission, Massanutten Regional Library donated materials to JMU.

Processing Information

The manuscripts, initially housed in a three-ring binder, were disbound and re-foldered accordingly. All loose pages and items inside the diary have been left as they were found.

Bio/Historical Note

Edna Mattie Tutt was born in Everton, Kansas on January 23, 1904. After receiving her bachelor's degree in sociology at Parsons College in Iowa and her doctorate from the University of Kansas in 1931, she moved to Harrisonburg to teach with her husband, Otto Frederikson (1892-1973) at James Madison University. She taught English at JMU from 1931 to 1941. Throughout her time as a teacher and student she was already working on her first manuscript, titled Three Parts Earth , the first in an already planned anthology series she planned to call The Idea of Love . The books that would comprise this would involve the evolution of a young woman as she struggles to get her manuscripts published, while simultaneously exploring and refining her own views on life and relationships. After Otto retired in 1957, the couple traveled extensively until Otto's death in 1973. Long after settling down in Harrisonburg, Edna released a collection of poetry entitled Never Tomorrow , published in 1988. Before she could finish her anthology series, Edna passed away on February 7, 1998.

Scope and Content

The Edna Frederikson Papers encompass one bound diary and 3 unpublished manuscripts, all created between 1972 and 1992. The diary focuses primarily on Edna's day-to-day thoughts concerning her manuscripts and her own personal musings. The three typed manuscripts are titled The Burning Ice , A Pilgrim of the Heart , and The Idea of Love , and follows the story of Nancy Western, a fictional character who navigates the trials and tribulations of becoming a published author and realizing her true self in the twentieth century.

Edna's diary, spanning from 1972 to 1992, follows the day-to-day musings of its author. Within these pages, Edna attaches correspondence from family, friends, book publishers, editors, and other business relations. The diary can be read almost as a story, with personal interjections and context for any article that she decides to put in. Some items of note include a letter from acclaimed poet Katherine Anne Porter regarding one of Edna's works, letters and personal correspondence between herself and close friend Paul Pines as well as Irma Friedrich, scattered letters regarding her manuscripts (both lauding and critical), and assorted poetry.

The manuscripts are organized as an anthology, following the character of Nancy Western as she struggles with her personal relationships and her work as an author working to get a book published. Although pure speculation, many parallels can be drawn between Nancy's life and Edna's, and can potentially read as Edna's reflection on her own life. The manuscripts were meant to be read as a larger narrative, titled The Idea of Love , but were separated into smaller "books" after unsuccessful attempts to get the entire anthology published.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in chronological order.

Related Material

Edna Frederikson papers, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.

Otto and Edna Frederikson papers, Kansas Collection, RH MS 674, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.

Separated Material

A paperback copy of Frederikson's novel Three Parts Earth was removed and catalogued separately.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• American poetry -- 20th century
• Authors, American -- 20th century -- Diaries
• Diaries
• Literature, Modern -- 20th century
• Manuscripts (documents)