Winston Smith papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-1630

No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

This collection contains manuscripts, research notes and documents, and photographs collected by Winston Smith of Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama relating to the early history of Demopolis and the surrounding areas, early photographers, as well as his own family heritage. The manuscripts are handwritten and in most cases (as best can be determined) are complete. The research notes and documents include notes for unpublished works and for works never intended for publication. Winston Smith appears to have been fascinated with turn-of-the-century (early 1900s) architecture, both residential and industrial as indicated by a large collection of business letters where the letterheads include an engraving of the factory or store.

There are also several sale catalogs from Cather & Brown, Birmingham, Alabama as well as an accounts record book of Henry Tutwiler’s Green Springs Academy, 1852 – 1864.

There are many photographs as well as several tintypes, daguerreotypes (including one silver on copper), and ambrotypes.

Dates

Creation: 1850-1998

Conditions Governing Access

Access to portions of this collection has been restricted in accordance with the wishes of the donor. Contact University Libraries Special Collections at archives@ua.edu or 205.348.0500 for information on access to the restricted portions of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are responsible for using the materials in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright claimants in collection materials. Copyright for official University records is held by The University of Alabama. The library claims only physical ownership of many manuscript collections. Anyone wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. Please contact Special Collections (archives@ua.edu) with questions regarding specific manuscript collections. For more information about copyright policy, please visit: https://www.ua.edu/copyright/. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal implications, for which the University of Alabama assumes no responsibility.

Biographical / Historical

Winston Smith was born June 2, 1937 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama. He received his bachelor’s degree from Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama, and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a professor of English at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he taught and published "Days of Exile: The Story of the Vine and Olive Colony in Alabama" printed by W.B. Drake, 1967) and "The People of His Pasture: A History of the Methodist Church in Demopolis, Alabama" (Birmingham Pub., 1990). His final book "The People’s City: The Glory and Grief of an Alabama Town, 1850-1874" was published by the Marengo County Historical Society in 2003 after his death on September 10, 1998.

Extent

9.4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection contains manuscripts, research notes and photographs collected by Winston Smith of Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama, relating to the early history of Demopolis and Marengo County, early photographers and his own family heritage. There is also a record book of Henry Tutwiler’s Green Springs Academy from 1852 – 1864.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Box 1630.0001, Folders 01-12 on permanent loan from the Demopolis Public Library; the remainder of the collection was donated by the estate of Winston Smith, 2002