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Henry Tim Chambers Collection

 Collection
Identifier: M433

Scope and Contents

The Henry Tim Chambers Collection consists of publications, correspondence, numerical systems and other materials relating to the life and work of Henry Tim Chambers and other poets of his acquaintance. The inclusive dates are from around 1930-1987, but the bulk of materials date from 1980-1987.

Dates

  • 1930-1987

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Noncirculating; available for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Biographical / Historical

Henry Tim Chambers was born on May 15, 1903 in Mt. Park, Oklahoma Territory. His mother was Villa Lenora Chambers. His father was editor of the local paper, The Nashville Oklahoma News. Chambers was small in stature as a boy, and was usually picked last in sporting games. However, he found solace in poetry, and his first poem was published at the age of four in his father’s newspaper. He attended the Oklahoma Institute of Technology and Henry Kendall College. He also took classes at Millsaps College, Indiana University, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Alice Lloyd College and the University of Louisville. In 1939 he moved from Oklahoma to New Orleans.

Chambers shied away from a newspaper career upon the emergence of radio, feeling that radio would put the newspaper man out of business. Over the course of his lifetime, he published numerous articles and books of poetry. One of his frequent co-writers was Mr. James (Jim) Bateman, and their friendship and partnership became legendary among poetry circles. In 1971, Chambers settled in Jackson, Mississippi, where he resided until his death in May of 1988. He left behind a wife and three children.

Extent

.90 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains publications, correspondence, numerical systems, and miscellaneous subjects pertaining to poet, Henry Tim Chambers.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in four series:

Series I: Publications

Series II: Correspondence

Series III: Systems

Series IV: Miscellaneous Subjects

Series I consists of publications in which Henry Tim Chambers had a hand. These include poetry anthologies and books co-written with Mr. Jim Bateman.

Series II deals with correspondence. Correspondence to Mr. Bateman, publishers, magazine editors, and newspapers is included in this series.

Series III is composed of systems that Henry Tim Chambers created. These systems deal with an idea Chambers had to abbreviate numerical values using smaller words from the Cherokee language and other dialects. The name of the system changed periodically, as did some of the main points of each system.

Series IV is comprised of miscellaneous subject files pertaining to Henry Tim Chambers, including affirmations, biographical information, newspaper clippings, reviews, poems, and short story excerpts.

Provenance

Donated to McCain Library and Archives, University of Southern Mississippi by Mr. James Bateman and Mrs. Henry Tim Chambers in1988.

Related Materials

AM01-72 Bateman (James A.) Papers

Title
Henry Tim Chambers Collection
Author
Processed by Jessica Clark
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository

Contact:
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