Guide to the David Cornel De Jong Papers, 1910-1973

(bulk 1940-1969)

John Hay Library, Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	David Cornel De Jong papers
Date range:	1910-1973, (bulk 1940-1969)
Creator:	De Jong, David Cornel, 1901-1967
Extent:	6.25 linear feet
Abstract:	Literary manuscripts (novels, short stories, poems), correspondence, diaries, photograph, scrapbooks, and personal papers.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	MS.92.8

Scope & content

The David Cornel De Jong papers include drafts of his writings, correspondence with friends and colleagues, diaries, photographs, scrapbooks, and personal papers. The correspondence dated after De Jong's death in 1967 was addressed to him and answered by his wife and some of it was addressed to Helen as the executor of his literary estate. Of particular note is De Jong's card catalog, consisting of annotated card entries for his written works. The cards are arranged alphabetically by title and include the publication history for each one. His writings include novels and longer works, short stories, essays, and poems.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Language and Literature
• Novelists, American--20th century

Document Types

• Diaries
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Notes
• Writings (Document genre)

Subject Topics

• Education

Arrangement

The collection is organized in two series:

• Series I. Correspondence, diaries, and personal papers
• Series II. Writings

Biographical note

De Jong was the author of 13 novels, 5 children’s books, several books of poetry and numerous short stories. His poems and articles were published in publications such as Nation, Poetry, Southern Review, and Atlantic Monthly.

He was born in 1905 in Blija, Friesland Province, The Netherlands. Soon after, his family moved to Groningen, and then to Wierum in the Netherlands. His family came to the United States in 1918 when he was thirteen. They settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He finished grammar school at Baldwin Street Christian School, went to business school for a time, worked in offices and banks for the next three years, including G. R. Savings and Home State banks. He received his undergraduate degree from Calvin College (A. B. 1929). He taught at the high school in Edmore, Michigan for one year and then went on a fellowship to Duke University (M. A. 1932). De Jong began his doctorate at Brown University in 1932 but shifted to writing full time before completing his Ph.D. He remained in Providence the remainder of his life. He died September, 1967.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	David Cornel De Jong Papers, Ms.92.8, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The David Cornel De Jong papers were a gift to Brown University from Mrs. Helen E. De Jong. The scrapbook of artwork was a gift from the Providence Public Library in 2016.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Brown University Library staff.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-11-04
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor:	Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Inventory

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