We have traveled a long way from “A” to “X” and have landed at the letter:
Y is for Yaddo
Yaddo is a retreat for artists in Saratoga Springs, New York, founded in 1900 by Spencer Trask and his wife, Katrina Nichols Trask (1853-1922), an author in her own right. The first residents came to Yaddo to work in 1926, and current artists continue to visit today. Although we do not have the Yaddo archives, which is housed at the New York Public Library, Special Collections has correspondence related to the retreat and its founder. These letters appear in the papers of U.Va. President Edwin Alderman and U.Va. English Professor James Southall Wilson among others.
Contributed by Sharon Defibaugh, Manuscripts and Archives Processor
Y is for Richard Yates
Novelist and short story writer, Richard Yates, is widely considered one of the premier post WWII writers of American fiction. His 1960 novel, Revolutionary Road was lauded by critics and writers alike, but none of his work sold especially well during his lifetime. Yates found work as a writing instructor at many universities, including Columbia, the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, and the New School for Social Research. A search of our online catalog shows four entries of Richard Yates.
Contributed by George Riser, Collections and Instruction Assistant
Y is for Yearbook
From societies and clubs, to high schools and colleges, Special Collections has many yearbooks. U.Va.’s student yearbook, Corks and Curls, came into the world in 1888 and sadly ceased to be after its 2008 issue. Corks and Curls gives readers a glimpse into the antics, biases, rebellion, sacrifices, amusement, accomplishments, and achievements of U.Va.’s student body over 100 years of social and academic change.
Contributed by Donna Stapley, Assistant to the Director
It is hard to believe, but there is only one more letter to go! Please join us two weeks from today for our final letter and the conclusion of our alphabet series.