Emerson Daggett papers, 1931-1989

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Daggett, Emerson, 1909-1980
Title
Emerson Daggett papers
Dates
1931-1989 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.37 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection Number
3977 (Accession No. 3977-001)
Summary
Correspondence, writings, publications and photographs of a union worker and poet
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Emerson Leroy Daggett (1909-1980) was born in Seattle, attended Franklin High School, then the University of Washington in the 1930s. There he wrote humerous columns and magazine articles for campus publications. In 1937 he moved to San Francisco, later settling in Los Angeles. In 1939 he married Helen Elizabeth Cross. He worked for unions, then as a clerk for Army hospitals during WWII, and later worked in public relations for the American Tuberculosis Association, California Heart Association, and the Presbyterian Medical Center. He also wrote and published stories, articles and poems. He retired in 1973. He died in 1980 at his home in Mendocino, California. Posthumously published was "The Sentinel," a poem about the Centralia Tragedy of 1919. (The event if often referred to as the Centralia Massacre by opponents of the Industrial Workers of the World). Some of his writings are humorous pieces about his illnesses.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Correspondence, writings, diary, publications, photographs, and clippings from the life of Daggett. Materials include an autobiography, correspondence about his health and medical history, "nasty letters", various writings including edited manuscripts. Subject series include Seattle news and clippings around the issue of free speech at the University of Washington.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Helen C. Daggett, 2/1/1988.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Biographical, approximately 1980Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Autobiography and obituaries
approximately 1980

General Correspondence, approximately 1943-1989Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Chronological
approximately 1943-1980
1
Athearn, Hope
1976-1980
1
Boldrey, Edwin B. (Dr.)
1974-1983
1
Cohen, Seymour
1975-1980
1
James, David & Maria
1976-1980
1
Paley, Mark
1980
1
Rejections
undated
1
"Nasty Letters", KQED, etc.
1959-1980
1
re Kent State
1975
1
Poet Business
1976-1981
2
Miscellaneous Correspondence
approximately 1977-1989

Writings (including correspondence re), 1944-1982Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Historic, early manuscripts, "Bits and Pieces"
1958-1971
1
Cancer Manuscript
undated
1
Flora- book try
approximately 1950-1951
1
Hill of Fur
undated, 1981
1
Hospitals
Includes writings inspired by and about Daggett's medical problems, "Journey Out of Time", "What is your Mother's Maiden Name?", "Comrades in the Fiery Brain", "Fourty Days and Thirty-Nine Nights"
undated, 1974
1
Journey Out of Time
Includes manuscript of "Full Moon"
1978-1980
1
NW '30s- book chapters and other manuscripts set in the Pacific Northwest
1967-1971
1
Nurse at Sea- stories of Wilma Brodale as told to Daggett
undated, 1965
1
Raw Red- manuscripts about Red Scares and McCarthyism
1975-1977
1
Seattle- summary for a novel
1971
1
Sentinel
Includes copies of the text, histories of the Centralia Tragedy of 1919 (also known as the Centralia Massacre), and correspondence around the poem, touching on Daggett's own history in the Pacific Northwest.
1977-1982
1
Swensson, T. K. (aka E. L. Daggett)- poems, clippings of published poems, and correspondence
1955-1956
1
Time Is A Sponge (poetry book)
1974-1976
1
Tuberculosis Figured in Early California Lawsuit- story
1956
1
T.B. Victims Almost Outcasts Only Two Generations Ago- story
1956
1
Medical Feature- Why Me
undated
1
World War II
Includes sketches, newsletters from Recife Military Area, Brazil, and "Christmas 1944 at Reciefe"
1944-1945
1
Miscellaneous Manuscripts, Notes, and Cartoons
1961-1979

Publications, 1938-1981Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
The Daily Hurricane- newsletter from ship at sea
1944
1
Freelance- voucher copy of The Times with Daggett's article
1970
1
Early San Francisco- clippings
1938
1
San Francisco Chronicle
1961-1979
1
Publications
1961-1981

Subject Series, 1933-1950Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Jobs- Tests- Pay
Includes personality tests, a union newspaper, Daggett's WPA notice to report, summaries of payroll, and correspondence
1937-1950
1
Seattle News
1931-1937
2
UW Free Speech
1933

Photographs, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
2
Photographs of Daggett
undated

California Health, 1966-1973Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
2
State Health Correspondence
1966-1973

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors
  • Centralia Massacre, Centralia, Wash., 1919
  • Centralia Massacre, Centralia, Wash., 1919--Poetry
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Public relations--California

Personal Names

  • Daggett, Emerson, 1909-1980--Archives

Corporate Names

  • University of Washington--Alumni and alumnae

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Baez, Joan (creator)
    • Dagget, Helen C (creator)
    • James, David A., 1910- (creator)