Organized into seven series: (1) John Kennedy Toole, (2) A confederacy of dunces, (3) The neon Bible, (4) John D. Toole, Jr. (father), (5) Thelma Ducoing Toole, (6) Garvy/Ducoing family, (7) Walker Percy.

Oversize boxes and folders contain miscellaneous framed photographs or large books. Most items in the oversized boxes are cross-referenced in another box.

Arranged numerically, the collection consists of 22 boxes, 3 volumes, 2 oversize boxes, and a copy of the novel A Confederacy of Dunces, autographed by his mother Thelma Ducoing Toole. It is 18 linear feet.

Abbreviations used throughout the inventory:

JKT: John Kennedy Toole

TDT: Thelma Ducoing Toole

COD: Confederacy of Dunces

NB: Neon Bible

LSUP: Louisiana State University Press

CHMM: Curtis, Hyde, Mooney, McEachin (Attorneys)

Date Acquired: 00/00/1980. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Authors, American -- 20th century., Ducoing family., Gottlieb, Robert, 1931-, Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.). Press., Percy, Walker, 1916-1990., Toole, John D., Toole, John Kennedy, 1937-1969., Toole, Thelma.

Forms of Material: Clippings (information artifacts), Correspondence., Manuscripts (document genre), Typescripts.

Languages: English, French, Spanish;Castilian

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection primarily consists of the personal and literary papers of John Kennedy Toole, including unbound manuscripts and typescripts, correspondence, pamphlets, drawings, photographs, music, and posters. There is a considerable amount of memorabilia that his mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole, kept concerning her son, including his baby cup and his undergraduate honors thesis. John Kennedy Toole's correspondence with Robert Gottlieb, his first editor as well as letters illustrating the process of getting A Confederacy of Dunces published are in this collection. There are also large numbers of reviews and articles about Toole and his works. The papers and personal belongings of his parents, John D. Toole and Thelma Ducoing Toole, can also be found in the collection.

Biographical Note

John Kennedy Toole, posthumous winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, was born in New Orleans on December 17, 1937. After skipping several grades, he finished high school at the age of sixteen. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Honors in English at Tulane University in 1958. He received his master's degree in 1959 from Columbia University, and taught at Hunter College. He was drafted in 1962 and stationed with the Army in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he continued to teach English and wrote A Confederacy of Dunces. Upon returning to New Orleans, he unsuccessfully attempted to have his manuscript published; he taught at Dominican College and in 1968 enrolled in graduate school at Tulane University to work on his doctorate. In 1969, he asphyxiated himself in his car in Biloxi, Mississippi. The novel was ultimately published by Louisiana State University Press in 1980 after his mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole, approached novelist Walker Percy with the manuscript. A Confederacy of Dunces won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as the Louisiana Literary Award. A musical production based on the novel premiered at LSU in 1984. Toole was also the author of The Neon Bible, which he wrote at age sixteen.

Subject/Index Terms

Authors, American -- 20th century.
Ducoing family.
Gottlieb, Robert, 1931-
Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.). Press.
Percy, Walker, 1916-1990.
Toole, John D.
Toole, John Kennedy, 1937-1969.
Toole, Thelma.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Accruals: Additional materials added between 1984 and 1998.

Alternate Extent Statement: 18 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. Portions of the collection may not be duplicated.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws. The estate of Walker Percy retains all literary rights to his work, including the correspondence from him in this collection. The Manuscripts Department will not provide researchers with photocopies of documents created by Walker Percy. Permission to use the restricted portions of this collection must be obtained from the estate of Walker Percy.

Acquisition Source: Donated by John Kennedy Toole's mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole, her estate, and heirs between 1980 and 1990.

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Preferred Citation: John Kennedy Toole Papers, Manuscripts Collection 740, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection processed between 1980 and 1990.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid collection record input to Archon by student worker Connor Deegan in 2009. Finding aid revised by Susie Scifres Kuilan in 2005. Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011. Revised by LAC Group 6/24/11.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 236103515

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1955-1967],
[Box 2: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1955-1959],
[Box 3: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1938-1968],
[Box 4: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1944-1999],
[Box 5: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1937-1981],
[Box 6: Unpublished manuscripts, COD manuscripts [Restricted]],
[Box 7: Unpublished manuscripts, COD manuscripts [Restricted]],
[Box 8: Unpublished manuscripts, COD manuscripts [Restricted]],
[Box 9: Collateral printed materials for COD, 1978-1982],
[Box 10: Collateral printed materials for COD, 1978-1990],
[Box 11: NB materials, JDT personal items, and TDT correspondence through 1981 February],
[Box 12: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1981 March-1984 February],
[Box 13: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1984 March-1987 March; 1920-1984.],
[Box 14: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1929-1983],
[Box 15: JKT notebooks],
[Box 16: JKT notebooks],
[Box 17: TDT and family photographs],
[Box 18: TDT personal items],
[Box 19: TDT personal items],
[Box 20: TDT personal items],
[Box 21: Garvey/Ducoing family and Walker Percy items],
[Box 22: Margaret (Dolly Ducoing) Garvey postcard collection and child's items],
[Box 23: Additional typescripts],
[Volume 1: JKT personal materials: Achievement scrapbook],
[Volume 2: Scrapbook with photographs],
[Volume 3: COD signed by Thelma to John Geiser, 1981 June 14],
[Oversize box 1: Oversized collection],
[Oversize box 2: Oversized collection],
[Oversize box 3: Photo album],
[Oversize folder 1],
[All]

Box 13: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1984 March-1987 March; 1920-1984.

Box 13 contains correspondence of TDT from March 1984 until her death and miscellaneous undated correspondence. Unless otherwise indicated, all letters to or written by TDT. Comments on content are only provided for correspondence that directly relates to JKT and the publication of his works or that expresses something other than appreciation. Many of these are simple fan letters. The box also contains TDT's personal items and some contracts relating to the publication of COD.

Folder 1: TDT/Ducoing correspondence, 1984 March-May

1984 March 5. Letter from Margaret [Chaisson].

1984 March 7. Letter to Louisiana State University Press. Written as if from lawyer. Discusses proceeds from stage production and expresses displeasure again about not being consulted.

1984 March 26. Letter from Wade Roberts.

1984 April 16. Letter from Margaret.

1984 May 6. Letter from Mary.

1984 May 18. Letter from Peg Bieker. Resent with a short note on 1984 May 22 with two envelopes.

1984 May 23. Letter from Allen and Renee Hanrahan. Encloses article in which he mentions Boethius and COD.

1984 May 24. Card from Nola. Postmarked. States clippings are enclosed.

1984 May 25. Letter from Liciana Bianciardi (Italy). Discusses Italian translation which she did and for which she won a prize.

Folder 2: TDT/Ducoing correspondence, 1984 June-July

The majority of the cards and letters in this folder mention her illness and wishes for her recovery.

Card from Kenneth.

1984 June 15. Card from Mary and Tony. Postmarked with envelope.

1984 June 28. Letter from Kenneth Holditch. Tells TDT not to worry about Rhoda Faust with envelope [presumably about problems with NB].

1984 July 1. Letter from Mim. With envelope.

1984 July 12. Card from Peg Bieker.

1984 July 30. Letter from Pamela Peterson. Requests information on film rights; copy of Times-Picayune article attached which may not be related to letter since there is no mention of enclosure in letter.

Folder 3: TDT/Ducoing correspondence, 1984 August-1987 May

Much of the correspondence dated 1984 August and September consists of sympathy cards/letters addressed to Arthur Ducoing following TDT's death.

1984 August 2. Letter from Erin Ajubeita (former teacher of JKT).

Letter from Betty and Wayne. 1984 August 3. Encloses address of Consul-General of Columbia with get well card.

1984 August 6. Card from Flora Bauden. Postmarked with envelope.

1984 August 10.Letter from Joel Fletcher. With envelope.

1984 August 15. Card from Dorothy Siecshnaydre. Postmarked with envelope.

Letter to Arthur Ducoing from Anna [1984 August 22]. Mentions enclosure of a write up about TDT [presumably an obituary].

1984 August 24. Card to Arthur Ducoing from Anna Lee and Tommie. Postmarked with envelope.

1984 August 27 . Card to Arthur Ducoing from Marion Green. Postmarked with envelope.

Card to Arthur Ducoing from Anna and [illegible] with envelope.

1984 September 18. Letter to Duke [Arthur] from Sandy.

1987 March 2. Letter to Hantel from Matlen and Associates. Discusses Kramer's movie rights holder, inability to currently pay loan; mentions 20th Century Fox as being the new movie rights holder.

Folder 4: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: A-D, undated

Card from Sister Mary Bernard.

Letter from Sister Mary Bernard. April 9.

Card from Alida with envelope.

Letter to Mrs. Austin.

Card from Sister Mary Bernard.

Letter from Beryl. August 19.

Letter from Washington Star reporter. Discusses article.

Card to TDT from [illegible] and Anna.

Card from [illegible] and Anna.

Letter from Bobby Frese.

Letter from Jim Braly. Discusses an article he wants to write about JKT. January 15.

Letter from Cary.

Letter from Captain of Clones. Encloses boutonniere.

Card from Tanya Coyle.

Letter from Times-Picayune Publishing Corporation.

Letter from Thelma Quintana Dean.

Letter from Diana.

Letter from Delphine. Congratulates TDT on Pulitzer and Tom Snyder show.

Letter from Diana. Encloses excerpts from John Steinbeck Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

Letter from Diana [on Tulane letterhead]. Encloses Tulanian.

Folder 5: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: E-K, undated

Letter from Joel Fletcher. Tuesday, February 17.

Letter from Joel Fletcher. Monday.

Letter from Joel Fletcher. Mentions the possibility of a private printing of The Neon Bible.

Letter from Joel Fletcher. Sunday.

Letter from Judy Forbes with envelope.

Letter from Karen Frught.

Letter from Robert Gordon. Discusses screen rights.

Letter from John Hantel. Congratulates TDT on Pulitzer.

Card from Lucy and Sheldon Hackney.

Letter from Jewish Civic Press.

Letter from Jimmy. June 17, Sunday.

Form card stating "Compliments of Tulane University" signed by Eamon M. Kelly, President with envelope.

Card from Evelyn Kenney. TDT wrote all over the card about various books and authors and seems to have quotes or thoughts about these works.

Advertisement for an arts fair from Kit (one of TDT students). 1982 October 15 and 16.

Folder 6: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: L-R, undated

Card from Dorothy.

Card from Carolyn Levy.

Letter from Edmund Leach.

Letter from Linda. Mentions COD movie.

Letter from Linda. Thursday. Mentions legal problems with COD and The Neon Bible.

Letter from Elsa McCay.

Postcard from Jim McNalis. June 5.

Letter to [Arthur] from the Mendives.

Letter [written by TDT] from Mooney (attorney). Requests a meeting concerning The Neon Bible [presumably with the heirs and their attorney].

Letter from April O'Rourke. Requests information for a report that she was writing for school.

Card from Barbara Miller.

Letter from David Rosen. Encloses manifesto type document he wrote to the President, Pope, United Nations, and ninety-seven others.

Note from Rick, who is a child.

Folder 7: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: S-Z, undated

Letter to unknown person. Wednesday morning. [Judging by the content, this letter was written to Arthur Ducoing who apparently was in TDT's estimation rude to "a scholarly gentlemen,"" Dr. Peter Jaeger].

Letter from Robert Scott.

Letter to either Grove Press or LSUP from Patricia Testa. Requests TDT address.

Letter from Vice President Starr (Tulane).

Letter to Joel Fletcher - judging by content. Thursday.

Card from Sarah and Marcus.

1981 April 14. Card from Vera. Congratulations to TDT on Pulitzer.

1984 June 5. Card from Maidee Walker. With envelopes.

Letter to Louisiana State University Press from Peter Wittman. Request that his letter concerning movie rights be forwarded to TDT with envelope.

Letter from Palaemon Press Limited. Requests the right to publish JKT letters or other unpublished short work with list of their publications.

Letter from unknown with scraps of fabric attached along with prices [appears to be Margi Gras related].

Folder 8: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: Barranger and Pulitzer Prize Letters

1979 February 19. Letter from Garie Kenneth Barranger (GKB), signed "Nikki." Suggests editing changes such as removing the Dr. Talc scenes, eliminating preface and replacing with Walker foreword, and changing title (did not like Ignatius Reilly or COD); discusses problems with Mancuso's change of attitude toward the Reillys at the car wreck scene and gives a suggestion on how to fix it [written prior to acceptance by Louiaina State University Press].

1979 March 6. Letter from GKB (Nikki). Offers to write letter to Louiaina State University Press and suggests looking at JKT's original manuscripts to follow the track of JKTs editing and revising.

Note from GKB (Nikki). Undated. Congratulates her [presumably for publication] and mentions being glad that "succession problems" were handled prior to publication [presumably getting heirs to relinquish rights].

1981 May 1. Letter from Columbia University. Encloses certificate for Pulitzer.

1981 April 13. Letter from Columbia University., Office of the Administration of The Pulitzer Prize. Confirms the award and encloses prize check.

Folder 9: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: Letter from TDT to JKT unsigned, undated

Addressed to Ken. Wednesday evening. Mentions meeting him at the station upon his arrival and includes two poems "Ode to White Shoes" and "How Do I Love Thee."

Folder 10: TDT/Ducoing correspondence: Card and notes with some envelopes

Twenty-three various cards (thank you, get well, holiday).

One card appears to be written by TDT. Thanks someone for help with car purchase and service.

Five gift or florist cards.

Five postcards.

Three business cards.

Five miscellaneous notes.

Folder 11: TDT personal items: Birth and marriage certificates

Microfiche copy of marriage certificate between TDT and JDT.

Microfiche copy of marriage license.

Receipt from Paul A. Ducoing for registering the birth of his child, TDT.

Folder 12: TDT personal items: Southern Music Company Diploma, 1920 June 2

Diploma from Southern College of Music New Orleans, Louisiana (piano)

Folder 13: TDT personal items: TDT's teaching certificate

Located in Oversized Box 2.

Folder 14: TDT personal items: Medical

TDT dental bridge - the actual bridge is in this collection.

Index card from home visits from 1978 November 16-1980 February 9.

Two eligibility cards for Louisiana Social Services. Expire 1978 October 30 and 1979 December 31 and authorization forms.

Two statements from Tulane Medical Center. 1981 May 27 and 1982 December 8.

Statement from Met. Anesthesia Associates.

Handout from nutritionist on diet for TDT.

Folder 15: TDT financial items

Substitute form W-6 or W-7.

Address change form.

1981 February 24. Receipt for contribution to Loyola Homestead Association.

1981 February 24. Withdrawal receipt for Columbia Homestead Association.

Passbook savings; opened 1962 January 11 and closed 1977 April 29.

Statement for composite of income derived from COD. Prepared by TDT [1982] for 1981 and 1982.

Statement for royalties and subsidiary rights paid on COD. Prepared by for 1981.

Report on sales of COD from 1981 April 1-June 30. Prepared by Louisiana State University Press.

Note to bank instructing them on how to handle a large amount of money she is sending with Arthur Ducoing.

Copy of passbook savings page for Whitney National Bank from 1978 November 13-1979 July 1.

Financial status worksheet of TDT securities.

List of foreign rights and status of payment.

Statement from J.K. Byrne and Company for professional fees.

Copy of statement from CHMM (attorneys) for copyright work on The Neon Bible and copy of cashier's check to them.

Various notes and statements from Dorsey and Company (investments).

Receipt for check paid by 1st National Bank as surviving spouse of JDT.

Earnings statement from Columbia Homestead Association.

Copy of check from LSUP deposited into Columbia Homestead Association.

Folder 16: TDT contracts: Walker Percy's evaluation of COD

Speech written by TDT to be given by unknown. Read to Barranger, Mrs. McGuire, and Harold Toole, Jr.; discusses the disgrace of them signing the contract [presumably prior to their relinquishing rights to COD or else this letter is out of place in this folder and belongs with TNB correspondence].

Memorandum written by Walker Percy to LSUP evaluating COD.

Copy of contract giving International Creative Management Properties exclusive film rights.

Contract with LSUP for publishing.

Copy of contract between LSUP and Klett Cotta Verlag (publisher) for German rights.

Copy of contract between LSUP and Editions Robert Laffont (publisher) for French rights.

Copy of case between Estate of Ernest Hemingway and Random House. It was suggested to TDT that she look at this case as a way of resolving The Neon Bible publishing problem.

Folder 17: TDT printed programs of recitals

1917 May 28. New Orleans College of Oratory. Graduation.

1980 September 29. Performance.

1980 November 2. Performance.

Spring 1982. Le Petit Salon Program.

1983 April 24. Performance.

1984 February 4. Performance at Loyola. Dedicated to President Carter.

Performance, undated. Dedicated to Professor David Dillon.

Performance, undated. "Day and Night in Poetry and Music."

Performance, undated. "The Moon and the Stars in Poetry and Music."

Performance, undated. "The Supreme Being in Poetry, Prose, and Music."

Performance, undated. "Loveland."

Performance, undated. 'Flowerland."

Performance, undated. "Childhood's Realm in Poetry and Song."

Folders presented to Martha Hall and Les Phillabaum from TDT titled "A Thematic Arrangement of Remembered Poetry and Music by TDT" and includes previous programs plus copies of other poems, et cetera.

Folder 18: TDT notes and writings

Whole folder contains scraps of paper with various poems; lists of songs, poems, books; various thoughts on different writings; lists of words and word pairs [she was partial to TRT telegram paper; some of these items are interesting reading but it is unclear what is original and what is copied].

Folder 19: Blank envelopes

Tulane University Special Collections