RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Todd S. J. Lawson papers (Ms. 2010.005)

Brown University Library

Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Scope & content

This collection thoroughly documents the life and career of the gay writer Todd S. J. Lawson. It is comprised of a variety of materials, the bulk of which dates from 1974 to 1985, primarily when he lived in San Francisco and established himself as both a writer and a leading figure in the small press industry. It includes an extensive collection of manuscripts from Lawson's published writings, both poetry and prose, and a substantive assortment of documents from the organization he directed, Pacific Arts and Letters and its affiliate, Peace and Pieces Press. It also includes a significant number of print materials, a small collection of photographs, an assortment of ephemeral materials and a small, eclectic collection of artifacts.

Series 1, Personal Materials, includes a small collection of correspondence, a diary from the year 1984, employment documentation and resumes, financial records, military and school records, educational transcripts, a student notebook, and various memorabilia, including a newspaper photo of Lawson at age six, and an old library card.

Series 2, Writings, is comprised of a substantial, if not comprehensive, collection of Lawson's prose and poetry writings, including original manuscripts and photocopies of his many published works.

Series 3, Small Press Materials, includes business correspondence, financial records, meeting minutes, corporate bylaws, conference and book fair organizational documents, printing proofs and other assorted materials from Pacific Arts and Letters and its affiliate enterprises, Peace and Pieces Press and the cable-television series "Lawson and the Arts."

Series 4, Print Materials, consists of a collection of magazine and academic periodicals, including scattered issues from a few historic GLBT titles, including early newsprint issues of The Advocate, The Boston Gay Review, and the The Fag Rag, and from other noteworthy titles such as Second Coming, and Pulpsmith.

Series 5, Photographs, includes photos of Lawson and friends,a small collection of professional photographs by Efren C. Ramirez and a few photographic negatives and slides.

Series 6, Ephemera, includes newspaper clippings, theatre programs, brochures, and flyers.

Series 7, Subject Files, includes a range of scattered, miscellaneous materials about a variety of topics.

Series 8, Artifacts, is comprised of an interesting assortment of objects, including rubber stamps, a book fair banner, and a hand-made poster advertising Lawson's television talk show, Lawson and the Arts.