Collection inventory

Special Collections home page

Kate Wilhelm Papers

An inventory of her papers at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: MPK
Date: 25 Oct 1978

Biographical History

Kate Wilhelm (1928- 2018) was an American author and playwright, best known for her science fiction novels and short stories..

Born Katie Gertrude Meredith in Toledo, Ohio, her first published short fiction was "The Pint-Size Genie" in the October 1956 issue of Fantastic. Over the course of her career she produced novels, short stories, stage productions, non-fiction articles, and radio plays, not only science fiction but also mystery, suspense, and detective stories. Her works have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Both she and her second husband, science fiction author Damon Knight, influenced and assisted hundreds of aspiring writers through their classes, lectures, workshops, and other teaching opportunities in the United States, South America, and Asia. The two were instrumental in establishing the Clarion Writer's Workshop and the Milford Writer's Conference, both of which have launched the careers of numerous award-winning writers.

Wilhelm's novels and short stories have garnered three Nebula awards and two Hugos. In 1977 her novel Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang won the Hugo and Locus awards, was a finalist for the Nebula, and took third place for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. She was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2016, the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) renamed their Solstice Award the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Kate Wilhelm Papers consist of correspondence, memorabilia, and writings.

Correspondence is mostly with publishers, her agents, and her collaborator Ted Thomas.

Memorabilia contains clippings, school-related items from Wilhelm and her two sons, and a certificate from the British Interplanetary Society.

Writings contains material relating to articles, books, plays, and short stories, some of which have never been published. Types of material include outlines, notes, drafts, synopses, galley proofs, submission records, feedback, and acceptance/rejection letters.

Arrangement of the Collection

Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name. Memorabilia is arranged alphabetically by type. Writings are subdivided by type and within that arranged alphabetically by title..

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

Special Collections Research Center has the papers of a number of other well-known women science fiction authors, including Andre Norton and Anne McCaffrey, and the papers of Wilhelm's husband Damon Knight, as well as thousands of published items including books, early pulp magazines, periodicals. and fanzines. Please refer to the SCRC Subject Index for more information regarding manuscript collections, and use Libraries Search .to locate cataloged material.

Subject Headings

Persons

Thomas, Theodore L.
Wilhelm, Kate.

Subjects

American literature -- 20th century.
Science fiction -- Women authors.
Science fiction, American.
Space travel -- Fiction.
Women authors, American.
Women dramatists, American.
Women novelists, American.

Genres and Forms

Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence.
Drafts (documents)
Galley proofs.
Manuscripts for publication.

Occupations

Authors.
Novelists.
Playwrights.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Kate Wilhelm Papers,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Kate Wilhelm, 1971.

Table of Contents

Correspondence

Memorabilia

Writings

Inventory