Bert Henderson Poems and Correspondence [RESTRICTED], 1962

File — Box: 4265.001, Folder: 49

Scope and Contents

This file contains two poems by Alabama Poet Laureate Bert Henderson that he submitted in 1962 to Judge Jones for possible publication in theAlabama Bible Society Quarterly, with related correspondence.

Dates

1962

Creator

Henderson, Bert (Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Access to portions of this collection has been restricted by Archives and Special Collections in order to preserve the original materials. Contact University Libraries Special Collections at archives@ua.edu or 205.348.0500 for information on access to the restricted portions of this collection.

The rest of the collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Bert Henderson, Alabama's third poet laureate, was born Elbert Calvin Henderson on November 8, 1903, in Glenwood, Alabama. He was the son of Albert Holloway and Jeffie G. Henderson. He married Geraldine Downs in 1928, but was listed a widower when he enlisted in 1942. On November 2, 1946, he married Mary Middleton Smith. He was empoyed by the Exchange Hotel and the Whitney Hotel, both in Montgomery, Alabama. Henderson was commissioned by Alabama Governor John Patterson in a ceremony on December 21, 1959, and served in that capacity until 1971. His published works include: House of Paradoxes, (1941); Bright Armor, (1950); Blame Noah, (1951); Eternal Symphony, (1956); The Immortal Legions, (1966) and The Ultimate Harvest. Henderson's biographical sketch appeared in the International Who's Who in Poetry, 1974-1975. He won a national award given by CBS as well as other prizes and awards given by radio. His works were printed in numerous literary publications. After the death of his second wife in 1967, Henderson became reclusive but continued to attend Alabama Writers Conclave meetings until 1971. He died on September 15, 1974.