Charlton Laird Papers
Scope and Contents
The Charlton Laird Papers consists of Laird's personal and professional correspondence, personal journals, published and unpublished manuscripts, poetry, note cards, and audio tapes. In addition to his own numerous publications, both scholarly and fiction, he co-authored English text books with Robert M. Gorrell, and a language book with wife, Helen Gent Laird. His correspondence includes items from folklorist and linguist Sven Liljeblad and his wife, Astrid; Nevada author Walter Van Tilburg Clark; Max Urban, Latin music promoter; Helen S. Carlson, author of a book on Nevada place names; and Gareth Hughes, an actor who changed his name to Brother David when he became and Episcopal priest. Laird also was appointed editor in 1946 to A Guide to comparative literature, a study of influences upon English and American literature, which was never published. Laird was married to Floy Davis in 1925, until her death in 1944, and to Helene Gent in 1945; both women were writers as well, and their writings are represented in the collection.
Dates
- 1927-1982
Creator
- Laird, Charlton, 1901-1984 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions apply to publication of manuscripts found in the collection; see Deed of Gift.
Biographical Note
Charlton Laird was a linguist and professor of English at the University of Nevada, as well as a novelist and author of numerous scholarly and reference works. Laird was born in Nashua, Iowa, March 16, 1901, and died in Reno, Nevada, May 14, 1984. He was a graduate of the University of Iowa (B.A. 1925; M.A. 1929) and received his Ph.D. from Stanford University (1940). He came to the University of Nevada in 1943, after teaching at Purdue and Idaho State University. In 1968 he retired and became emeritus professor of English. Laird was married to Floy Davis Laird, in 1925, until her death in 1944, and to Helene Gent Laird, in 1945, until her death in 1979. Both women were writers as well, and their materials are also found in this collection.
Extent
25.75 Linear Feet (39 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Charlton Grant Laird (1901-1984) was a linguist and professor of English at the University of Nevada, 1945-1968. In addition to his own numerous publications, both scholarly and fiction, he co-authored English text books with Robert M. Gorrell, and a language book with wife, Helen Gent Laird. The collection consists of Laird's personal and professional correspondence, personal journals, published and unpublished manuscripts, poetry, note cards, and audio tapes. Included is correspondence with Walter Van Tilburg Clark, Robert Gorrell, Gareth Hughes, Floy Davis Laird, Helene Gent Laird, and Sven Liljeblad.
Arrangement
Arranged into the following series: 1) Professional Correspondence; 2) Personal Correspondence; 3) Manuscripts; 4) A Guide to Comparative Literature; 5) Manuscripts; 6) Exhibit; 7) Note Cards; 8) Audio Tapes and Plaques
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Nancy Laird Hunt in 1984.
- Carlson, Helen S., 1917- -- Correspondence
- Clark, Walter Van Tilburg, 1909-1971 -- Correspondence
- Gorrell, Robert M. -- Correspondence
- Laird, Charlton, 1901-1984 -- Correspondence
- Laird, Floy Davis -- Correspondence
- Laird, Helene, 1905- -- Correspondence
- Liljeblad, Astrid -- Correspondence
- Liljeblad, Sven S. (Sven Samuel), 1899-2000 -- Correspondence
- Urban, Max -- Correspondence
Creator
- Laird, Charlton, 1901-1984 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Charlton Laird Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Karen Gash
- Date
- Approximately 2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. University Archives Repository
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno NV 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)
specoll@unr.edu