Hubert Creekmore Collection | General Special Collections

Born in Water Valley, Mississippi, Hiram Hubert Creekmore (1907-1966), gained notoriety as an author, poet, translator, editor, and literary critic. He spent much of his adult life in New York City, with sporadic moves back to Mississippi. His novels drew largely upon his early life in the Southern United States and often criticized the region’s history of racial discrimination. In addition, as a gay man living in the South, Creekmore faced what scholar Courtney Chartier described as the “forced heterosexuality” of the area, which is also reflected in his work

Read more about Hubert Creekmore's life as a writer, editor, translator, and literary critic.

The Creekmore Collection, donated by Mary Alice Welty White and Elizabeth Welty Thompson in 2010 and subsequently by Cynthia Walker Kennedy, is arranged into three series:1. professional/personal correspondence; 2. family correspondence; 3. ephemera (including a large collection of theatre programs collected by Creekmore).

This digital collection was made possible through the generous support of the Creekmore family. Additional physical items may be consulted on-site in the Department of Archives and Special Collections (archivesdept@olemiss.edu).

For more information about use and permissions, please consult the Hubert Creekmore Collection Introduction.

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Letter from Levi Robert Lind to Hubert Creekmore (23 January 1953)

Levi Robert Lind and Hubert Creekmore

Lind is a professor in the Department of Latin and Greek at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. He writes on department letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. He thanks Creekmore for his translation of Angelo Poliziano's "Bacchanale." He relays [Thomas G.] Bergin's pleasure that Creekmore has translated Provencal poems, but he does not expect Yale University Press to be eager to publish another lyric book. Bergin suggests that Creekmore contact Eugene Arthur Davidson, an editor at Yale University Press. Lind states that he will wait to hear what Charles Scribner's Sons says about reprinting Creekmore's translation of Calvicanti in Lind's own anthology. Includes envelope.
Card and note from "Stony and Dot" (undated)

Dorothy Jackson, Delmar Jackson, and Hubert Creekmore

Card and note from "Stony and Dot" [Dorothy and Delmar Jackson] to Hubert Creekmore expressing congratulations for the recent publication of his anthology; asks for information about his novel; and shares the news about the new editors of the O'Henry Prize Stories Anthology.
Card from Perdita and John Schaffner to [Hubert Creekmore] (undated)

Perdita Schaffner, John Schaffner, Hubert Creekmore, and Robert Stuart MacKellar

Card from Perdita and John Schaffner to [Hubert Creekmore] with a family update. The front of the card features a drawing of a family by Robert Stuart MacKellar.
Clipping of drawing by cartoonist "Anton" (undated)

Antonia Yeoman

Clipping of drawing by cartoonist "Anton" (Antonia Yeoman) featuring a man and a woman in the ocean. The woman is holding a tentacled arm with the caption, "Should I let it go?"
Clipping of drawing by cartoonist David Engdon (undated)

David Engdon

Clipping of cartoon by David Engdon featuring two women carrying water with the caption, "He offered me riches, tap water, a life of ease…"
Envelope from the Ward Ritchie Press (undated)

Ward Ritchie Press

Envelope bearing the address of The Ward Ritchie Press of Los Angeles, California.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hiram Hubert Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore, Mittie Horton Creekmore, and Hiram Hubert Creekmore

Letter from Hubert Creekmore to his parents, Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hiram Hubert Creekmore, regarding his trip to Mexico City, Mexico. Hubert discussed his travels; visiting friends; experiences in Mexico City; food and meals; the Legation events, among other topics.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert Creekmore writes from New York City to Mittie Horton Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi regarding various news updates, including: an overview of his trip to New York; celebrations with Walter [Welty?]; and the army.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert Creekmore [possibly writing from an artists' retreat] writes to Mittie Horton Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi regarding personal and professional news, including: his mother's rental unit; visits to his mother from Elizabeth and possibly Aunt Mary Lee; arrival of his books; Yaddo; invitation from actor friend to dinner; the recent marriage of Count Gaszynski; Frank Lyell; potential publication date for Creekmore's anthology work published by Scribner's.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert Creekmore writes from New York City to Mittie Horton Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi regarding personal and professional news, including: new additions to his apartment; social activities with Chuck Shrader; dinner with Ruth and Dolly; news from Dolly about her job; visit from Bill and Barbara Smith; reading by Isak Dinesen; Margaret Marshall, editor from Harcourt Brace; Major, Requiem for a Nun play and Ruth Ford; reading Hal Phillips' book; taxes.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert Creekmore writes from New York City to Mittie Horton Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi regarding personal and professional news, including: family updates; dinner with Paul Bigelow; Tennessee Williams' new movie; Audrey Wood; attendance at Truman Capote's play "The Grass Harp;" friends in New York, including Lehman Engel; Marlene Dietrich; Creekmore's novel; sale of David Pompador's book by John Schaffner; Nash Burger.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert Creekmore writes from New York City to Mittie Horton Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi regarding personal and professional news, including: family updates and photographs; Chuck Shrader; collecting stamps to send to Wade; John Schaffner and work; interest in Creekmore's novel; Schaffner family news and Perdita's pregnancy.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert Creekmore writes from New York City to Mittie Horton Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi regarding personal and professional news, including: an update about the Schaffner family; dinner with Ben Weber; Weber's upcoming visit as composer-in-residence at the University of Wisconsin.
Letter from Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty to Hubert Creekmore (undated)

Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty and Hubert Creekmore

Letter from Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty to Hubert Creekmore about family news, including: recent trip of their father to St. Louis; Mittie's missing Hubert's company; Elizabeth's illness with chicken pox.
Letter from Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty to Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hiram Hubert Creekmore (undated)

Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty, Mittie Horton Creekmore, and Hiram Hubert Creekmore

Letter from Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty to "Mother and Daddy" [Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hiram Hubert Creekmore] with an update on her trip with Walter [Welty]; family news; and Elizabeth Welty. Written on The Portland Hotel, Portland, OR letterhead.
Letter from Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Mittie Elizabeth Creekmore Welty writes to her mother, Mittie Horton Creekmore, from Jackson, Mississippi regarding news, including: an update on the family; mother's trip; Elizabeth's illness and recovery; caring for mother's garden and flowers; sending word from Mary Alice and Elizabeth to family.
Letter from Ruth to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Ruth and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Letter from Ruth [?] to "Aunt Mitt" [Mittie Horton Creekmore] regarding their visit and expressing regret they will be unable to travel to the Mississippi coast.
Letter from Ruth to Mittie Horton Creekmore (undated)

Ruth and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Letter from Ruth [?] to "Aunt Mitt" [Mittie Horton Creekmore] expressing concern over Mittie's recent illness and request for updates about the family when she feels better.
Newspaper clipping, Book review of "My Brother Bill" (undated)

Hubert Creekmore

Clipping of a book review of John Faulkner's book, "My Brother Bill," written by Hubert Creekmore for the New York Times.
Partial envelope (undated)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Partial envelope likely sent to Mittie Horton Creekmore from Hubert Creekmore.
Postcard from Ben Weber to Hubert Creekmore (undated)

Ben Weber and Hubert Creekmore

Postcard from Ben [Ben Weber] from Rome, Italy to Hubert Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, regarding a performance of Weber's music in Italy. Front of a postcard features a photograph of the Colosseum and Arc of Constantine in Rome, Italy.
Postcard from "F" to Hubert Creekmore (undated)

F and Hubert Creekmore

Postcard from "F" to Hubert Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. The front of the card features images of Columbus, Mississippi. "F" details a new apartment and happiness over recent "change."
Card from Babette Deutsch to Hubert Creekmore (30 December 1952)

Babette Deutsch and Hubert Creekmore

Deutsch writes from New York City to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to praise Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." Includes envelope.
Letter from Robert K. Haas to Hubert Creekmore (24 December 1952)

Robert K. Haas and Hubert Creekmore

Haas is vice president of Random House, Inc. and writes on company letterhead from New York City to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to praise Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry."
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (22 December 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, regarding college professors' comments on "A Little Treasury of World Poetry."
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (19 December 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, regarding Charlotte Leonard's letter and the need to add two acknowledgements to a future edition of "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." He acknowledges receipt of Creekmore's 17 December 1952 letter regarding the same matters.
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (17 December 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to discuss copies of "A Little Treasury of World Poetry" sent to Kenneth Rexroth, Babette Deutsch, William Jay Smith, and Barbara Howes [Smith]. He encloses a letter from Charlotte C. Leonard and acknowledges that Creekmore received Donald Sheehan's "This Was Publishing."
Letter from Kenneth Rexroth to Hubert Creekmore (17 December 1952)

Kenneth Rexroth and Hubert Creekmore

Rexroth writes from San Francisco, California, to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. He states that [James] Laughlin does not have the rights for the Japanese poems, and he discusses Creekmore's next novel. Includes envelope.
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (15 December 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to enclose a letter from Wheelock to William Jay Smith regarding a discount on "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." The enclosed letter, also dated 15 December 1952, discusses the discount for contributors who did not receive payment for their translations. Includes envelope.
Letter from Levi Robert Lind to Hubert Creekmore (15 December 1952)

Levi Robert Lind and Hubert Creekmore

Lind is a professor in the Department of Latin and Greek at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. He writes on department letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. He thanks Creekmore for agreeing to translate a poem or two for "Early Italian Lyric Poetry in Translation," a book to be published by Yale University Press with an introduction by Thomas G. Bergin. Lind explains that some other contributors have already agreed to translate Vittoria Colonna and Rinaldo d'Aquino. Lind discusses a Latin verse volume that he is working on with James Laughlin. He states that Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry" is more comprehensive and of higher quality than Mark Van Doren's "An Anthology of World Poetry," published in 1929. Includes envelope.
Letter from Arland Ussher to Hubert Creekmore (13 December 1952)

Arland Ussher and Hubert Creekmore

Arland Ussher writes from Dublin, Ireland, to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, regarding Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." Ussher praises Creekmore's work and mentions a translation error, which he believes was copied from Kathleen Hoagland's "1000 Years of Irish Poetry."
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (12 December 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to forward letters from Heinz Politzer, professor at Oberlin College, and from Jethro Bithell. Wheelock asks Creekmore to respond to Politzer and to copy the response to Charles Scribner's Sons.
Letter from Babette Deutsch to Hubert Creekmore (10 December 1952)

Babette Deutsch and Hubert Creekmore

Deutsch lives in New York City and lectures at Columbia University weekly. He writes on "Season's Greetings" stationary to Creekmore to congratulate him on "A Little Treasury of World Poetry" and to send holiday greetings.
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (09 December 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to forward a postcard to Creekmore.
Letter from Jack Lindsay to Hubert Creekmore (02 December 1952)

Jack Lindsay and Hubert Creekmore

Lindsay writes from the Bangslappers at Castle Hedingham in Halstead, Essex, United Kingdom, to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. Lindsay explains their recent move to a new address and praises Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." He praises a particular line in a Homer poem and discusses his work on "Byzantium into Europe: The Story of Byzantium as the First Europe (326-1204 A.D.) and its Further Contribution till 1453 A.D.," published by The Bodley Head in London, England. Includes envelope.
Letter from Lindley Williams Hubbell to Hubert Creekmore (02 December 1952)

Lindley Williams Hubbell and Hubert Creekmore

Hubbell writes from Hartford, Connecticut, on letterhead for The Randall School and The School for Creative Work to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. He praises Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry" and states that the first English translation of the Pyramid Texts were published the same week. Hubbell includes a sheet about The School for Creative Work membership and the 1952-1953 membership series. Includes envelope.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (30 November 1952)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert writes from New York City to his mother in Jackson, Mississippi, regarding personal and professional matters. Hubert had a busy week socializing with Louie Lyell, Ted Purdy, Dolly Wells and Bill Smith. He spent Thanksgiving with Dave McDowell and Ben Weber. There is some potential interest in the Mallarme translation. Hubert will be glad to finish the novel and get back home.
Letter from Jethro Bithell to Charles Scribner's Sons (29 November 1952)

Jethro Bithell and Charles Scribner's Sons

Bithell writes to Charles Scribner's Sons in New York City regarding Hubert Creekmore's "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." He expresses pleasure at seeing his own translations from "The Minnesingers" in Creekmore's volume. He suggests that Creekmore should include more Norwegian poetry in a future edition and suggests he use "Henrik Wergeland: Poems," translated by G. M. Gathorne-Hardy, Jethro Bithell, and I. Grondahl, published by Hodder and Soughton in London in 1929. He also mentions his translations appearing in the volumes titled Belgian Literature and Contemporary Flemish Poetry.
Letter from John Hall Wheelock to Hubert Creekmore (28 November 1952)

John Hall Wheelock and Hubert Creekmore

Wheelock writes from New York City on Charles Scribner's Sons letterhead to Creekmore in New York City. Wheelock discusses the letter from Charlotte Leonard and asks if Creekmore would like to send a copy of "A Little Treasury of World Poetry" to Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. and Open Court Publishing Company. Wheelock asks if he can increase the payment amount for Rolfe Humphries for the translation of Federico García Lorca's "The Faithless Wife." He also directs Creekmore to view the advertisement in the New York Times's book review section on the upcoming Sunday.
Letter from Mittie Horton Creekmore to Hubert Creekmore (26 November 1952)

Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hubert Creekmore

Mittie writes from Jackson, Mississippi, to Creekmore in New York City, regarding personal matters. She discusses her plans for Thanksgiving and hopes Hubert has holiday plans too. Includes envelope.
Letter from Charlotte C. Leonard to Hubert Creekmore (25 November 1952)

Charlotte C. Leonard and Hubert Creekmore

Leonard writes from Chicago, Illinois, to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to explain and enclose a copy of her letter dated 23 November 1952. She expresses regret for the error regarding the copyright permissions and explains how she intends to remedy the problem. Includes envelope.
Letter from Maurice Collis to Hubert Creekmore (24 November 1952)

Maurice Collis and Hubert Creekmore

Collis writes from Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi, to congratulate and praise Creekmore for his poetry translation anthology, "A Little Treasury of World Poetry." Includes envelope.
Letter from Charlotte C. Leonard to Charles Scribner's Sons Copyright Department (23 November 1952)

Charlotte C. Leonard and Charles Scribner's Sons. Copyright Department

Leonard writes from Chicago, Illinois, to the Copyright Department at Charles Scribner's Sons in New York City to discuss copyright issues related to Hubert Creekmore's anthology. She mentions problems with the usage and permissions for Sappho's "Forever Dead," Catullus's "To Himself," and two of Aesop's Fables. Leonard explains that future editions should credit The Century Company and Open Court Company. She mentions poems that appear in John W. Cunliffe and Grant Showerman's Century Readings in Ancient Classical and Modern European Literature.
Letter from Mittie Horton Creekmore to Hubert Creekmore (22 November 1952)

Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hubert Creekmore

Mittie writes from Jackson, Mississippi, to Creekmore in New York City, regarding personal matters. She talks about attending a tea, the garden, family business, and other local news. Includes envelope.
Letter from Hubert Creekmore to Mittie Horton Creekmore (20 November 1952)

Hubert Creekmore and Mittie Horton Creekmore

Hubert writes from New York City to his mother in Jackson, Mississippi, regarding personal and professional matters. Hubert talks about editing and shortening his novel. He has not been very social due to lack of time and money. He went to a party and met New Yorker critic, Louise Bogan. Also in attendance: Dawn Fowell, Phillipe Toby-Marcellin and Tony Bower. Hubert plans to have lunch with Louise Lyell. He also has dinner plans with Ted Purdy, Kit and Isle Barker. He discusses his lack of Thanksgiving plans. Envelope enclosed.
Letter from Levi Robert Lind to Hubert Creekmore (17 November 1952)

Levi Robert Lind and Hubert Creekmore

Lind is a professor in the Department of Latin and Greek at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. He writes on department letterhead to Creekmore to congratulate and praise Creekmore for the publication of A Little Treasury of World Poetry. Lind asks if Creekmore would be interested in translating the works of Rinaldo d'Aquino, Jacopone da Todi, Cecco Angiolieri, Cino da Pistoia, Vittoria Colonna, Luigi Alamanni, Francesco Berni, or Lorenzo de' Medici for Lind's translation anthology, Early Italian Lyric Poetry in Translation, a book to be published by Yale University Press with an introduction by Thomas G. Bergin.
Letter from Mittie Horton Creekmore to Hubert Creekmore (16 November 1952)

Mittie Horton Creekmore and Hubert Creekmore

Mittie writes from Jackson, Mississippi, to Creekmore in New York City, regarding personal matters. She mentions her health, Hubert's books, and other local news. Includes envelope.
Letter from Kenneth Rexroth to Hubert Creekmore (15 November 1952)

Kenneth Rexroth and Hubert Creekmore

Rexroth writes from San Francisco, California, to Creekmore in New York City, to congratulate and discuss Creekmore's recent publication of A Little Treasury of World Poetry. Includes envelope.

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