Willie Morris Papers Available at the University Library

In 1995 the University"s Department of Archives and Special Collections acquired the personal papers of Mississippi man-of-letters Willie Morris. Thomas Verich, University archivist, and Lisa Speer, senior library assistant, have meticulously catalogued the materials.

"I'm delighted that the University has my papers. I love Ole Miss and Mississippi and think it is appropriate that my papers remain in my native state," Morris said. The author of such works as North Toward Home, Good Old Boys, and The Last of the Southern Women, Morris distinguished himself early on as a Rhodes Scholar, journalist, and editor of Harper's magazine. From this latter perch Morris corresponded with such literary figures as Walker Percy, Ralph Ellison, Arthur Miller, Robert Penn Warren, and Kurt Vonnegut. His papers include this correspondence as well as postcards, letters, and notes from political figures, relatives, school children, critics, and admirers.

Because Morris was writer in residence at the University from 1980 to 1991, the letters include professional and personal communications from a younger generation of writers as well. A 1988 letter from Larry Brown begins, "Dear Mr. Morris, I'm not sure if you remember me or not . . ." and concludes with a request that Morris contribute a blurb for the jacket of his story collection Facing the Music.

Of the 17,000 letters only one is kept in a plastic sleeve. Its author is one William Jefferson Clinton who, in 1971, met with Morris in New York on the way to England. It is truly a human document of the good ole boy network. Clinton expresses gratitude at Morris's integrity to the tenets of this brotherhood. This sentiment takes its place amid the amusing, witty, telling, and often allusive prose correspondence, photographs, and clippings that make up this collection. It is open for public viewing.