Lawrence I. Berkove Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2016-13

Scope and Contents

The Lawrence I. Berkove Papers contains research materials and books related to the Sagebrush School, Ambrose Bierce, Mark Twain, and other literature.

Dates

  • circa 1945-2015

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unprocessed collection is open for research. Advanced notice is required; contact staff to schedule access. Materials must be used onsite. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law or special donor agreement.

Biographical / Historical

Lawrence (Larry) Berkove was born in Rochester, New York, on January 8, 1930, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. Berkove began college as a Forestry major at the University of Montana. His summer jobs included working for the Forest Service, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and in steel mills. In 1953, he volunteered for a three year stint in the U.S. Army, serving as a Special Agent for the Counter Intelligence Corps in Korea.

After leaving the Army, Berkove received his Ph.D from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962, teaching at Skidmore College, Depaul University, and Colorado College before taking a teaching position at the University of Michigan Dearborn in 1964 where he taught until his retirement in 2003. In 1974, he was promoted to Professor of Humanities. He specialized in American Literature of the 19th Century and was an internationally recognized expert on Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Jack London, and authors of the Sagebrush School. Berkove was a prolific scholar, writing throughout his career and into retirement. He authored nearly 200 publications, including 14 books. In 1982-1983, Dr. Berkove Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan, invited him to be a visiting professor; in 1992, he was a Distinguished Fullbright Lecturer in South Korea. He served in leadership roles in a number of academic organizations, including as President of the Michigan College English Association, President of the Jack London Society, and President of the Mark Twain Circle of America.

Berkove died in Michigan on May 19, 2018.

[Note adapted from Larry Berkove's obiturary, accessed October 19, 2022.]

Extent

17 Linear Feet (17 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Dr. Lawrence I. Berkove (January 8, 1930-May 19, 2018) was an academic and author specializing in American Literature of the 19th Century. He was an internationally recognized expert on Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Jack London and authors of the Sagebrush School. The collection contains research materials and books related to the Sagebrush School, Ambrose Bierce, Mark Twain, and other literature.

Arrangement

Unprocessed collection. Arranged as received.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Lawrence I. Berkove in 2016. Additional material donated by Gail Berkove in 2018.

Title
Guide to the Lawrence I. Berkove Papers
Status
Unprocessed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
Reno Nevada 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)