Archives West Finding Aid

Edward G. Lueders was born in Chicago, Illinois on 14 February 1923. While he was a student at Hanover College in Indiana, Lueders was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces in 1943. Edward served in the department of special services performing as a pianist in a jazz trio which entertained the troops in India, China and Burma. After being discharged from the army in 1946, he returned to Hanover College and earned a bachelor's degree in 1947. Lueders continued his academic studies at Northwestern University where he received a Master's degree in English in 1948. Entering the doctoral program in American Studies at the University of New Mexico in 1948, Edward commenced his teaching career at UNM as an instructor in 1950 and received his Ph.D. in 1952. While teaching at UNM, he became head of the English department's workshop and director of the freshman composition program. In 1957 Lueders joined the English department at Long Beach State College where he taught as an associate professor for four years. His next academic job occurred in 1961 when his alma mater, Hanover College, appointed Lueders as a professor and chairman of its English department. Five years later Edward obtained his last teaching position when the University of Utah hired him. Lueders chaired the English department during 1969-1971, worked as director of the creative writing program between 1981 and 1983, and was editor of the Western Humanities Review. After teaching at the U of U for twenty four years, he retired in 1990.

Lueders was an author, poet, editor, reviewer, and translator. Among his publications are non-fiction works, nine of which he was an editor, a co-editor, a co-compiler, and a co-translator. Edward wrote two books focusing upon the life of Carl Van Vechten, a twentieth century novelist, music critic, and photographer, and composed The Clam Lake Papers. His poetry has appeared in many anthologies and his novel entitled The Wake of General Bliss was published in 1989. Throughout his distinguished career, Lueders has been the recipient of many awards. In 1972 Hanover College recognized his accomplishments by selecting him as one of its distinguished alumni. Edward received a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in 1983 and the University of Utah bestowed upon him several grants, including a highly esteemed University Professorship. It should be noted that Lueders' creativity has not been limited to the publishing and the teaching worlds. From World War II onward, Edward has played jazz piano in a variety of venues, especially in Utah ski and summer resorts.

Biographical note composed by Roger V. Paxton.