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The Lawrenceville Literary Magazine Collection

 Collection
Identifier: DC029

Scope and Contents

The Lit Collection includes a large run of both bound and unbound editions of The Lawrenceville School's literary magazine. The bound collection is the more complete of the two runs through 1961. The bulk of the collection past 1961 is unbound.

Dates

  • Creation: 1895 - 2020

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies and digital photographs may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Archivist. Researchers are responsible for determining any other copyright questions.

Biographical / Historical

The Lawrenceville Literary Magazine (now know as The Lit) was founded by novelist Owen Johnson '97 in 1895. Initially there was concern that The Lawrenceville School would not support two periodicals, and The Lit appeared to be a threat to The Lawrence. But Johnson assured students that “The Lit was strictly a literary publication, and it in no way intended to interfere with the function of the School newspaper.”

The Lit serves as an opportunity for students to showcase their literary talent and “follows the individual thought of the School,” more so than other school publications. It features poems, book reviews, stories and photographic scenes of the School. Few changes have occurred to The Lit since its first publication. Early editions included athletic news and gossip columns but these sections were discontinued early in the magazine's run. It has remained entirely student-run and is still published three times a year.

Notable novelists and poets who were published in The Lit include Frederick Buechner, Owen Johnson, James Merrill, and Thornton Wilder.

Extent

15.86 Linear Feet (49 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Lit Collection is arranged into two series: Series 1: Bound and Series 2: Unbound. The magazines are arranged chronologically within each series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Lit is collected from The Lit Office shortly after publication. The collection has accumulated steadily over the years.

Appraisal

Appraisal has been conducted in accordance with The Lawrenceville School Stephan Archives guidelines.

Related Materials

Additional material on The Lit Office can be found in the Publications Collection (DC028), Series 8: General Information.

Bibliography

Information in the historical note was gathered from material within the collection. The Lawrenceville Lexicon: A Compendium of All Things Lawrenceville, Merrell Noden, editor, was also consulted.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Casey Babcock in October of 2012.

Title
The Lawrenceville Literary Magazine Collection: Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Casey Babcock
Date
October 8, 2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The Lawrenceville School Stephan Archives Repository

Contact:
Box 6128
2500 Main St.
Lawrenceville 08648 U.S.A. US