Raymond T. Drew (AC 1949) Papers, 1943-1982 (bulk 1943-1972)
General International Standard for Archival Description
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Sarah Sorscher AC 2005. 2003-06-24
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Drew Papers
Creation of Drew Papers
Time of Creation of Drew Papers
Drew, Raymond Totman, 1923-1981
Biographical History for: Drew Papers
Biographical Note Raymond Totman Drew was born in 1923 in Conway, Massachusetts, the son of Ernest Clare and Mary (Totman) Drew. He grew up in nearby Greenfield. He attended the Massachusetts School of Art, Amherst College (B.A., English, 1949) and the University of New Mexico (M.A., 1951). During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps with hopes of being an aviator, but served instead as a radio operator from 1943 to 1946, with overseas assignments primarily in Brazil and Puerto Rico. In 1958, after various stints as an art teacher and museum curator, Drew joined the faculty of New Mexico Highlands University, where he became professor of art education. Since the 1940s Drew wrote poems, several of which were published in magazines. While living in New Mexico he published a small book of poetry, Goat Songs (1970). His paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and in a USIA traveling exhibition. Drew died on February 13, 1982.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The bulk of the collection consists of letters written by Drew to his family in Greenfield, Massachusetts, while serving as a radio operator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, 1943-1946, which were transcribed and printed by his cousin Conrad Totman; and poetry manuscripts, ca. 1946-1975. Included in the poetry are two copies of his book Goat Songs (1970), and letters to Drew about the book; correspondents include James Merrill. The collection also includes photographs of Drew, snapshots taken during World War II, miscellaneous correspondence and sketches.
Artists--United States--20th century.
lcsh
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
Drew, Raymond Totman, 1923-1981.
lcnaf
Merrill, James Ingram.
Totman, Conrad D.
Amherst College--Students.
New Mexico Highlands University--Faculty.
Amherst College. Class of 1947. Merrill.
Amherst College. Class of 1949. Drew.
series
Series 1: Personal Affairs and Biographical Material
Personal affairs and biographical material n.d.
Series 2: Correspondence - Army letters home, 1943-1946
"An Army of Civilians" - Letters home by Raymond T. Drew, 1943-1946, transcribed by Conrad Totman 1999
Army letters - Atlantic City 1943 Feb-May
Army letters - St. Anselm's 1943 May-Aug
Army letters - Greensboro, North Carolina 1943 Aug-Nov
Army letters - Scott Field, Illinois 1943 Nov-1944 Jan
Army letters - Truax Field, Wisconsin 1944 Jan-Mar
Army letters - Scott Field, Illinois 1944 Mar-Jul
Army letters - Selfridge Field, Michigan; Miami and Miami Beach, Florida 1944 Jul-Sep
Army letters - Natal, Brazil 1944 Sep-Dec
Army letters - Natal, Brazil 1944 Dec-1945 Mar
Army letters - Natal, Brazil 1945 Mar-Jun
Army letters - Natal, Brazil 1945 Jun-Aug
Army letters - Bahia and Natal, Brazil 1945 Aug-Nov
Army letters - Bahia and Natal, Brazil; San Juan, Puerto Rico 1944 Sep-1946 Mar
Series 3: Other correspondence, 1959-1972
Letters to cousin Conrad Totman 1959
Letters to cousin Conrad Totman 1960
Letters to cousin Conrad Totman n.d.
Incoming correspondence 1979-1981
Incoming correspondence - Amherst College 1971-1972
Series 4: Poetry
Brevities, book n.d.
Brevities, ms. n.d.
"Fifteen Brevities" n.d.
Poems, published 1949, 1965, n.d.
Poems, ms. n.d.
Proofs n.d.
Quotations n.d.
Writings n.d.
Poems n.d.
Poems - typed, four copies 1947-1949
Poems - typed, four copies n.d.
Goat Songs - book, illustrations by Bob Totten 1970
Goat Songs - tape recording, 1 reel tape and 1 cassette dub 1971 Mar 28
Goat Songs, ms. n.d.
Goat Songs, proofs n.d.
Goat Songs, correspondence 1970
Goat Songs, correspondence with David Kherdian (Giligia Press) 1969-1970
Goat Songs, publicity and reviews 1970-1972
Series 5: Photographs
Photos - Army and home c. 1942-1943
Photos - Natal and Bahia c. 1944-1945
Photos - Natal; Puerto Rico c. 1945-1946
Photos - RTD portraits n.d.
Series 6: Sketches
Sketches n.d.