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John G. Neihardt Collection.

Creator

Neihardt, John Gneisenau, 1881-1973.

Title

John G. Neihardt Collection.

Extent

3897 vols.

Description

Biographical Sketch

John Gneisenau Neihardt (1881-1973) accepted a position at the University of Missouri-Columbia's Department of English in 1949 following an illustrious career working as a writer, poet, and journalist, and with Native Americans. His involvement with them began in 1900 at the Omaha Indian Reservation; he later became closely associated with the Sioux holy man Black Elk. Through his narrative, Black Elk Speaks, Neihardt shared the holy man's vision with the world. In recognition of his work, he was named the poet laureate of Nebraska. In 1908 Outing Magazine sent Neihardt on a two thousand-mile expedition down the Missouri River. The trip resulted in a series of articles for the magazine and greatly influenced the writing of his famous epic, A Cycle of the West. The Cycle recounts the settlement of the West during the mid-1800s and includes an account of the Battle of Little Big Horn and the death of Crazy Horse. Epic America, a course built around A Cycle of the West, became a popular class at MU. In 1961 Neihardt gave his entire private library to the MU Libraries. His personal papers were also donated to the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. He retired in 1965 after sixteen years with the university.

Scope and Contents

Americana and literature, especially poetry, are the strengths of the collection. However, Mr. Neihardt's eclectic interests are evident in the collection's broad subject coverage. 

Table Of Contents

All titles are cataloged and available through the University's online catalog. The collection can be searched through the heading John G. Neihardt Collection (University of Missouri–Columbia. Libraries).

Relation

Several related collections of John Neihardt papers and ephemera are available at the State Historical Society of Missouri.

Provenance

Donated by John G. Neihardt, 1961.

Rights

The University of Missouri Libraries do not hold copyright on most collection materials, and therefore we do not charge usage fees or require permission to publish scanned images. The libraries encourage use of reproductions of Special Collections materials in publications, broadcasts, public displays and on web pages. However, please be aware that the user is responsible for determining copyright status and applying for permission to copyright holders.

Access Rights

Materials do not circulate but are available to users in the Special Collections Reading Room during service hours or by appointment.

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