The Lawrenceville Literary Magazine Collection
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
- Lawrenceville Literary Magazine (Organization)
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.
Bibliography
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Casey Babcock in October of 2012.
Cultural context
Topical
- High school student activities
- High school student newspapers and periodicals
- High school students -- United States -- Periodicals.
- High school students -- United States -- Societies and clubs.
- High school students' writings
- Lawrenceville School -- History
- New Jersey -- History.
- The Lawrenceville School
- 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
