Joel L. Fletcher papers, 1960-2006 | Louisiana Research Collection

By Eira Tansey

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Collection Overview

Title: Joel L. Fletcher papers, 1960-2006

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection 995

Primary Creator: Fletcher, Joel L.

Extent: 6.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection is organized by material type into six boxes. It consists of 3 linear feet.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2006

Subjects: American literature -- 20th century., Authors, American., Fletcher, Joel L., Fletcher, Joel L., Ken and Thelma., Louisiana -- History -- 20th century., Nevils, René Pol. Ignatius rising., New Orleans (La.) -- Intellectual life -- 20th century., Toole, John Kennedy, 1937-1969., Toole, Thelma.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection consists of Joel Fletcher’s research files for his book, Ken and Thelma. It includes correspondence, drafts, reviews, and supporting materials. Also included is a detailed criticism of Ignatius Rising, an account written by René Pol Nevils and Deborah George Hardy of the life of John Kennedy Toole. Also included are letters with New Orleans author Poppy Z. Brite, University of New Orleans professor Kenneth Hoditch, and friends of the Toole family.

Biographical Note

Joel L. Fletcher was born in Lafayette, La., in 1935, remaining there through high school. In 1957, he received his B.A. degree from Tulane University. Between 1957 and 1960, he served as a gunnery officer aboard the carrier U.S.S. Bennington. During 1960-1961 he pursued graduate study at Stanford University, and then independent study in Italy, France, and England. From 1963-1967 he directed the American Language School in Florence, Italy. He lived extensively in Europe, working in the fields of education, art collecting, and literature, returning to the United States in 1975. He is widely known as the author of Ken and Thelma, a personal memoir published in 2005, describing the background story to the publication of Toole's A Confederacy of dunces, as well as his friendship with John Kennedy Toole in New Orleans and Lafayette, and through correspondence. In 2009, he is a partner in Fletcher/Copenhaver Fine Art, Fredericksburg, Va.

Subject/Index Terms

American literature -- 20th century.
Authors, American.
Fletcher, Joel L.
Fletcher, Joel L., Ken and Thelma.
Louisiana -- History -- 20th century.
Nevils, René Pol. Ignatius rising.
New Orleans (La.) -- Intellectual life -- 20th century.
Toole, John Kennedy, 1937-1969.
Toole, Thelma.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Alternate Extent Statement: 3 linear feet

Access Restrictions: The collection is open to the public and has no known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Technical Access Note: Box 6 contains audio cassette tapes. The Louisiana Research Collection does not provide cassette tape players, please contact LaRC staff to make alternate arrangements if you wish to use these materials.

Acquisition Source: Joel L. Fletcher

Acquisition Method: Gift

Related Publications: Fletcher, Joel L. 2005. Ken and Thelma: the story of A confederacy of dunces. Gretna, La: Pelican Pub. Co.

Preferred Citation: Joel L. Fletcher papers, Manuscripts Collection 995, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: The collection was processed by Kevin Fontenot in July 2009, who also wrote the initial finding aid.

Finding Aid Revision History: Added tape label information on 5/7/2013.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 436921581

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Correspondence and other papers, 1963-2006],
[Box 2: John Kennedy and Thelma Toole research materials, 1960s-2000s],
[Box 3: Ignatius Rising and Bumbershoot Productions, 1982-2005],
[Box 4: Ken and Thelma materials, 2005],
[Box 5: Magazines Articles on John Kennedy Toole and Photographs, 1980-2007],
[Box 6: Audio cassette recordings, 1979-2000],
[All]

Box 4: Ken and Thelma materials, 2005

Folder 1: Corrected galley proofs
Folder 2: Corrected galley proofs
Folder 3: Correction
Folder 4: Notebook
Folder 5: Publicity
Folder 6: Reviews
Folder 7: Copy annotated by "Stephen"
Folder 8: Copy annotated by Cornelia Montgomery

Tulane University Special Collections