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SERIES D: CONTENT DESCRIPTION

 

“At the very core of my collection are the scores of composition notebooks that contain all the thinking about and the revisions of my poems. My composition notebooks often include notes about teaching activities, too. The writing and the teaching are in the same notebook not only because I was working on writing and teaching projects at the same time, along with some letters, but because I never felt the teaching process was a threat to poetry that had to be separated from it. Teaching was simply another kind of creative thinking.”

 

Relevant chronology:

  • Middlebury College, Bread Loaf School of English (M.A., 1968)
  • Colby-Sawyer College, NH (English instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, 1968 -- 1987)
  • Middlebury College, Bread Loaf School of English (M. Litt., 1975)
  • Marietta College, OH (NEA Poet-in-Residence, spring 1978)
  • Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile (Senior Fulbright professor, 1977 -- 1978)
  • University of Chile and other Chilean universities, Santiago, Chile et. al. (American Specialist in American Studies, spring 1979)
  • Dartmouth College, NH (visiting associate professor, 1984)
  • University of Maine, Farmington (associate professor, then full professor, 1987 -- 2004)
  • Colby College, ME (visiting professor, 1999 – 2004)
  • University of Maine, Farmington (professor emeritus and Writer-in-Residence, 2004 -- present)

Click here to read McNair’s comments on the importance—and illegibility—of these notebooks. (See Writing Notebooks section.)

 

SERIES D: CONTAINER LISTS

 

Inclusive dates: late 1960s – 2005. Many notebooks were annotated by McNair in 2006 to indicate contents.

 

BOX D1

 

Folder D1-1:       14 blue exam books (late 1960s, two are annotated)

Folder D1-2:       6 notebooks (late 1960s, not annotated)

Folder D1-3:       1 notebook (late 1960s, not annotated)

Folder D1-4:       1 notebook (1969, not annotated)

Folder D1-5:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folders D1-6 and D1-7:   1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

 

BOX D2

 

Folder D2-1:       1 notebook (late 1960s, not annotated)

Folder D2-2:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D2-3:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D2-4:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D2-5:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D2-6:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D2-7:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D2-8:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

 

BOX D3

  

Folder D3-1:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D3-2:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D3-3:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D3-4:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D3-5:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D3-6:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D3-7:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

 

BOX D4   

 

Folder D4-1:       1 notebook (1972, not annotated)

Folder D4-2:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D4-3:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D4-4:       1 notebook (1971, not annotated)

Folder D4-5:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D4-6:       1 notebook (early 1970s, not annotated)

Folder D4-7:       1 notebook (1974, not annotated)

           

BOX D5

 

Folder D5-1:       1 notebook (1972, not annotated)

Folder D5-2:       1 notebook (1971, not annotated)

Folder D5-3:       1 notebook (1972, not annotated)

Folder D5-4:       1 notebook (1972, not annotated)

Folder D5-5:       1 notebook (1972, not annotated)

Folder D5-6:       1 notebook (1971, not annotated)

Folder D5-7:       1 notebook (1971, not annotated)

Folder D5-8:       1 notebook (1972, not annotated)

 

BOX D6   

 

Folder D6-1:       1 notebook (1971, not annotated)

Folder D6-2:       1 notebook (mid 1970s, annotated)

Folder D6-3:       1 notebook (1974-1975, annotated)

Folder D6-4:       1 notebook (1974, annotated)

Folder D6-5:       1 notebook (1976-1977, annotated)

Folder D6-6:       1 notebook (mid 1970s, annotated)

Folder D6-7:       1 notebook (1976-1977, annotated)

Folder D6-8:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D6-9:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D6-10:     1 notebook (1978, annotated)

 

BOX D7

 

Folder D7-1:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D7-2:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D7-3:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D7-4:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D7-5:       1 notebook (1978, annotated)

Folder D7-6:       1 notebook (late 1970s, annotated)

Folder D7-7:       1 notebook (1979, annotated)

Folder D7-8:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

Folder D7-9:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

 

BOX D8

 

Folder D8-1:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

Folder D8-2:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

Folder D8-3:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

Folder D8-4:       1 notebook (1980, annotated)

Folder D8-5:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

Folder D8-6:       1 notebook (early 1980s, annotated)

Folder D8-7:       1 notebook (1980, annotated)

Folder D8-8:       1 notebook (1980-1981, annotated)

Folder D8-9:       1 notebook (1980, annotated)

               

BOX D9

 

Folder D9-1:       1 notebook (1982, annotated)

Folder D9-2:       1 notebook (1982, annotated)

Folder D9-3:       1 notebook (1982, annotated)

Folder D9-4:       1 notebook (1982, annotated)

Folder D9-5:       1 notebook (1981-1982, annotated)

Folder D9-6:       1 notebook (1981-1982, annotated)

Folder D9-7:       1 notebook (1983, annotated)

Folder D9-8:       1 notebook (1982-1983, annotated)

Folder D9-9:       1 notebook (1982-1982, annotated)

              

BOX D10          

 

Folder D10-1:     1 notebook (1983, annotated)

Folder D10-2:     1 notebook (1983, annotated)

Folder D10-3:     1 notebook (1983, annotated)

Folder D10-4:     1 notebook (1982-1983, annotated)

Folder D10-5:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D10-6:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D10-7:     1 notebook (1983, annotated)

Folder D10-8:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D10-9:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

  

BOX D11

 

Folder D11-1:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D11-2:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D11-3:     1 notebook (1985, annotated)

Folder D11-4:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D11-5:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D11-6:     1 notebook (1984, annotated)

Folder D11-7:     1 notebook (1985, annotated)

Folder D11-8:     1 notebook (1985, annotated)

Folder D11-9:     1 notebook (1985, annotated)

              

BOX D12

 

Folder D12-1:     1 notebook (1985, annotated)

Folder D12-2:     1 notebook (1984-1985, annotated)

Folder D12-3:     1 notebook (1985, annotated)

Folder D12-4:     1 notebook (1984-1985, annotated)

Folder D12-5:     1 notebook (1984-1985, annotated)

Folder D12-6:     1 notebook (mid 1980s, annotated)

Folder D12-7:     1 notebook (early-mid 1980s, annotated)

Folder D12-8:     1 notebook (early-mid 1980s, annotated)

Folder D12-9:     1 notebook (mid 1980s, annotated)

Folder D12-10:   1 notebook (1986, annotated)

 

BOX D13

 

Folder D13-1:     1 notebook (1986, annotated)

Folder D13-2:     1 notebook (1986, annotated)

Folder D13-3:     1 notebook (1985-1986, annotated)

Folder D13-4:     1 notebook (1986, annotated)

Folder D13-5:     1 notebook (1985-1986, annotated)

Folder D13-6:     1 notebook (1986, annotated)

Folder D13-7:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D13-8:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D13-9:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

 

BOX D14             

 

Folder D14-1:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-2:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-3:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-4:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-5:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-6:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-7:     1 notebook (1987, annotated)

Folder D14-8:     1 notebook (1988, annotated)

Folder D14-9:     1 notebook (1988, annotated)

Folder D14-10:   1 notebook (1988, annotated)

 

BOX D15

 

Folder D15-1:     1 notebook (1988, annotated)

Folder D15-2:     1 notebook (1988, annotated)

Folder D15-3:     1 notebook (1988, annotated)

Folder D15-4:     1 notebook (1989, annotated)

Folder D15-5:     1 notebook (1988-1989, annotated)

Folder D15-6:     1 notebook (1987-1988, annotated)

Folder D15-7:     1 notebook (late 1980s, annotated)

Folder D15-8:     1 notebook (late 1980s, annotated)

Folder D15-9:     1 notebook (1988-1989, annotated)

 

BOX D16

 

Folder D16-1:     1 notebook (late 1980s, annotated)

Folder D16-2:     1 notebook (early 1990s, annotated)

Folder D16-3:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D16-4:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D16-5:     1 notebook (early 1990s, annotated)

Folder D16-6:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D16-7:     1 notebook (early 1990s, annotated)

              

BOX D17

 

Folder D17-1:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D17-2:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D17-3:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D17-4:     1 notebook (1990, annotated)

Folder D17-5:     1 notebook (1991, annotated)

Folder D17-6:     1 notebook (1991, annotated)

Folder D17-7:     1 notebook (1991, annotated)

Folder D17-8:     1 notebook (1991, annotated)

              

BOX D18

 

Folder D18-1:     1 notebook (1990-1992, annotated)

Folder D18-2:     1 notebook (1992, annotated)

Folder D18-3:     1 notebook (1992-1993, annotated)

Folder D18-4:     1 notebook (1992, annotated)

Folder D18-5:     1 notebook (1993-1995, annotated)

Folder D18-6:     1 notebook (1993, annotated)

Folder D18-7:     1 notebook (1993, annotated)

Folder D18-8:     1 notebook (1993, annotated)

              

BOX D19

 

Folder D19-1:     1 notebook (1993, annotated)

Folder D19-2:     1 notebook (1994, annotated)

Folder D19-3:     1 notebook (1994, annotated)

Folder D19-4:     1 notebook (1994, annotated)

Folder D19-5:     1 notebook (1995, annotated)

Folder D19-6:     1 notebook (1995, not annotated)

Folder D19-7:     1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

Folder D19-8:     1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

Folder D19-9:     1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

Folder D19-10:   1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

 

BOX D20

 

Folder D20-1:     1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

Folder D20-2:     1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

Folder D20-3:     1 notebook (1996, annotated)

Folder D20-4:     1 notebook (1996, annotated)

Folder D20-5:     1 notebook (mid 1990s, annotated)

Folder D20-6:     1 notebook (1996, annotated)

Folder D20-7:     1 notebook (1997, annotated)

Folder D20-8:     1 notebook (1998, annotated)

 

BOX D21

 

Folder D21-1:     1 notebook (1999, annotated)

Folder D21-2:     1 notebook (1999, annotated)

Folder D21-3:     1 notebook (1999, annotated)

Folder D21-4:     1 notebook (1999, annotated)

Folder D21-5:     1 notebook (late 1990s, annotated)

Folder D21-6:     1 notebook (late 1990s, annotated)

Folder D21-7:     1 notebook (late 1990s, annotated)

 

BOX D22

 

Folder D22-1:     1 notebook (later 1990s, annotated)

Folder D22-2:     1 notebook (2000, annotated)

Folder D22-3:     1 notebook (2000-2001, annotated)

Folder D22-4:     1 notebook (2000-2001, annotated)

Folder D22-5:     1 notebook (2001, annotated)

Folder D22-6:     1 notebook (2001, annotated)

Folder D22-7:     1 notebook (2001-2002, annotated)

Folder D22-8:     1 notebook (early 2003, annotated)

 

BOX D23

 

Folder D23-1:     1 notebook (2002-2003, annotated)

Folder D23-2:     1 notebook (2002, annotated)

Folder D23-3:     1 notebook (2002, annotated)

Folder D23-4:     1 notebook (2002-2003, annotated)

Folder D23-5:     1 notebook (2003, annotated)

Folder D23-6:     1 notebook (2002-2003, annotated)

Folder D23-7:     1 notebook (2003, annotated)

 

BOX D24

 

Folder D24-1:     1 notebook (2002-2003, annotated)

Folder D24-2:     1 notebook (2004, annotated)

Folder D24-3:     1 notebook (2004, annotated)

Folder D24-4:     1 notebook (2004, annotated)

Folder D24-5:     1 notebook (2003-2004, annotated)

Folder D24-6:     1 notebook (2003-2004, annotated)

Folder D24-7:     1 notebook (2005, annotated)

Folder D24-8:     1 notebook (2005, annotated)

 

BOX D25

 

Folder D25-1:     1 notebook (2005, annotated)

Folder D25-2:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

Folder D25-3:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

Folder D25-4:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

Folder D25-5:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

Folder D25-6:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

Folder D25-7:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

 

BOX D26

 

Folder D26-1:     1 notebook (undated, annotated)

Folder D26-2:     1 notebook (undated, not annotated)

Folder D26-3:     1 notebook (undated, not annotated)

Folder D26-4:     1 notebook (undated, not annotated)

Folder D26-5:     1 notebook (undated, not annotated)