Wharton, Walter William (1908-1985), Papers, c. 1912-1985 (C3772)

2.5 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

Papers of a Missouri poet and writer, trade magazine editor, book reviewer, and lecturer. The papers include correspondence, books, newspaper clippings, poetry, sketches, and plays.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Wharton Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Wharton's daughters Minerva Durham and Alexandra Grannis on 6 May 1987 (Accession No. 4772). An addition was donated by Minerva Durham on 11 August 1988 (Accession No. 4868). On 13 December 1989 Douglas Wixson donated an addition (Accession No. 4937).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Walter William Wharton was born on 12 June 1908, one of three sons, to William and Mary Elizabeth Walsh Wharton. He attended Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, graduating in 1926.

Following graduation Wharton worked for a variety of companies while attending Washington University in St. Louis. He started with the McQuay-Norris Manufacturing Company (later the Eaton Corporation) sometime in the 1930s, eventually taking over as editor of the company's in-house publication. He retained this position until his retirement in 1972.

Wharton married Ida Willis while in his early twenties. After a brief marriage, they were divorced. He secretly married Minerva C. Primm on 17 November 1934. They had three daughters together--Cornelia (later changed to Cynthia), Alexandra, and Minerva. Wharton later divorced Minerva. Sometime later he married for a third time--Charlotte Wainwright, a divorcee with children. Charlotte died in 1951.

Wharton served as St. Louis editor for the trade magazine Spirit, Wine and Beer Marketing for thirty years. He contributed poems and reviews to The Anvil, Poetry, Curled Wire, The Human Voice, and other creative experimental magazines. He was a frequent book reviewer for both the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Globe-Democrat. He also taught literature and creative writing classes at the People's Art Center and Washington University in St. Louis.

Wharton was the author of three books of poetry. The first, May Harvest, was published in 1927 while Wharton was a student at Washington University. The second, Graphiti From Elsinore, was published in 1949. The third, Lays For The Laity, was in preparation at the time of his death.

Wharton, plagued by poor health in his later years, died on 23 March 1985 after a long illness.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

These papers depict a small percentage of Wharton's life. The collection is arranged topically, then chronologically within. Undated items are filed at the end of each section.

The correspondence spans a period of seven decades, though the first three are sparsely represented; and consists of correspondence between Wharton and his family, friends, colleagues, and literary contacts. There is a small amount of biographical information, and material documenting Wharton's teaching career is almost nonexistent, consisting, primarily, of class notes and handouts.

On the other hand, Wharton's literary career is well-represented. The extensive book reviews, plays, poetry, and stories capture both his writing style and unique sense of humor. A reference section contains material collected by Wharton and meant to serve as inspirations for future poems, stories, and book reviews. The works are, primarily, the literary works of friends and colleagues.

A small collection of photographs of Wharton, family members, and friends completes the collection.

FOLDER LIST

f. 1Correspondence, 1927-1934
f. 2-5Correspondence, 1935-1942
f. 6Correspondence, 1946-1949
f. 7-12Correspondence, 1950-1965
f. 13Correspondence, 1966-1969
f. 14-22Correspondence, 1970-1979
f. 23-27Correspondence, 1980-1985
f. 28-35Correspondence, n.d.
f. 36-37Biographical. Newspaper and magazine clippings concerning Wharton, his family, friends, and colleagues. Also includes a copy of Wharton's birth certificate, obituaries, and recognition awards and citations.
f. 38-83Literary Career
f. 38-39Articles, 1940-1977. Clippings of and notes from editorials and columns.
f. 40-61Book Reviews, 1950-1980. Clippings of and notes from reviews printed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Globe-Democrat.
f. 62-63Empty due to error in numbering.
f. 64Newsletters, 1955-1969. Issues of brief newsletters compiled by Wharton for the amusement and edification of his friends.
f. 65-66Plays, n.d. Unpublished plays written by Wharton and his friends mainly for their own amusement.
f. 67-75aPoetry, 1949-1967. Published and unpublished poems, including a copy of Graphiti From Elsinore.
f. 76-83Stories, 1934. Published and unpublished stories, including a manuscript for an untitled novel.
f. 84-85Teaching Materials.
f. 86-106Reference.
f. 86Articles, n.d.
f. 87-95Books, 1946-1984
f. 95aDrawings, 1966-1975
f. 95b-cDrawings, n.d.
f. 96-99Newsletters, 1979-1983
f. 100-105Poems and Stories, 1933-1953, 1972-1984
f. 106Sheet Music, 1977
f. 107-114Photographs.
f. 107c. 1912-1919
f. 108c. 1920s
f. 1091935-1938
f. 110c. 1940-c. 1942
f. 111c. 1950-1957
f. 112c. 1960-1969
f. 1131971-1979
f. 1141980-c. 1983

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • Algren, Nelson
  • Art
  • Authors
  • Authorship
  • Authors--Missouri
  • Balch, Jacob S.
  • Balch, Jacob S.--Castle of Words
  • Bates, Edward
  • Biggs, Edith
  • Biggs, Robert
  • Black men, 1960s
  • Black men, 1960s
  • Boeschenstein, Charles K.
  • Books--Reviews
  • Carr, Jess
  • Cartoons and caricatures
  • Children & dolls
  • Children and dolls
  • Children, 1910s
  • Children, 1910s
  • Children, 1940s
  • Children, 1960s
  • Children, 1970s
  • Children, l940s
  • Children, l960s
  • Children, l970s
  • Children--Costume, 1910s
  • Children--costume, 1910s
  • Christmas decorations
  • Christmas decorations
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Comedy
  • Conroy, Jack
  • Costume, 1930s
  • Costume, 1930s
  • Costume, 1950s
  • Costume, 1950s
  • Costume, 1960s
  • Costume, 1960s
  • Costume, 1970s
  • Costume, 1970s
  • Costume, 1980s
  • Costume, 1980s
  • Dana, Clara
  • Dana, Myrtle E.
  • Derrickson, Howard
  • Diamond, Frank
  • Diamond, Gary
  • Dogs
  • Dogs
  • Durham, Minerva Louise Wharton
  • Family groups, 1930s
  • Family groups, 1930s
  • Family groups, 1940s
  • Family groups, 1940s
  • Family groups, 1960s
  • Family groups, 1960s
  • Family groups, 1970s
  • Family groups, 1970s
  • Family groups, 1980s
  • Family groups, 1980s
  • Finch, Nancy
  • Finch, Russell Taze
  • Finley, Vernon R.
  • Flanagan, Susan Gail Wharton
  • Ford, Willene A.
  • Friends
  • Games--Cards
  • Games--Cards
  • Grandparents & grandchildren
  • Grandparents and grandchildren
  • Grannis, Alexandra Wharton
  • Grannis, Eric
  • Grannis, Joseph
  • Greeting cards
  • Greeting cards
  • Guenther, Charles
  • Guenther, Charles--Jules LaForgue Selected Poems
  • Guenther, Charles--Paul Valery in English
  • Guggenheim, Paul
  • Hair & hairdressing, 1930s
  • Hair & hairdressing, 1970s
  • Hair and hairdressing, 1930s
  • Hair and hairdressing, 1970s
  • Huge, Marian Martin ( -1975)
  • Interiors--Dining Rooms, 1940s
  • Interiors--Dining Rooms, 1940s
  • Interiors--Living Rooms, 1950s
  • Interiors--Living Rooms, 1950s
  • Junior high school building, Moberly, Missouri
  • Junior high school building, Moberly, MO
  • Koehler, Robert
  • Lectures & lecturing
  • LeGros, Cardinal
  • Men and animals
  • Men cooking
  • Men drinking
  • Men playing cards
  • Men playing musical instruments
  • Men smoking
  • Mockler, Stanley
  • Parties, 1950s
  • Pets
  • Plays
  • Poetry
  • Postcard photographs
  • Postcard photographs
  • Postcards
  • Primm, Sandy
  • Privies
  • Radulovich, Stanley
  • Short stories
  • Snow, Walter
  • Stevens, John H., Jr.
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Thursby, Cynthia Wharton
  • Toys
  • Typewriters
  • Weddings
  • Wharton family
  • Wharton, Carol
  • Wharton, Charlotte Wainwright
  • Wharton, Cornelia
  • Wharton, Edna
  • Wharton, James
  • Wharton, James Elbert
  • Wharton, Mary Elizabeth Walsh
  • Wharton, Minerva
  • Wharton, Minerva C. Primm
  • Wharton, Robin Gail
  • Wharton, Walter William
  • Wharton, Walter William (1908-1985)
  • Wharton, Walter William (1908-1985)--Graphiti From Elsinore
  • Whitehead, Fred
  • Wixson, Douglas C., Jr.
  • Women, 1930s