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Guide to the Albert French Papers, 1973-2010, SC.2020.04

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Metadata Details

Title
Albert French Papers 1970-2010
Creator
French, Albert , 1943-
Subject
French, Albert , 1943-, African American authors, African American authors -- Fiction, African American children –- Fiction, African American criminals -- Fiction, African American dramatists, African American journalists, African American journalists -- Social conditions, African-American literature and culture, Authors, American -- 20th century, Authors, American -- 20th century -- Biography, Authors, American -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh, French, Albert -- Interviewee, Rose, Charlie -- Interviewer, United States -- Race relations –- Fiction, Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American, Wideman, John Edgar -- Interviewee
Description
This collection includes manuscripts, correspondence, publicity, and reviews of the work of author Albert French, encompassing the entirety of French's writing career from his first explorations with fiction in an unfinished manuscript to copies of all his published works., The papers include manuscripts for many of French's published works, as well as a manuscript that was not completed nor published. The correspondence is comprised of publisher correspondence such as book contracts and book tour travel information, reviews from fans, autograph requests, award notifications, and personal correspondence. The bulk of reviews and publicity are for French's first published novel Billy, which was translated into Dutch, reprinted multiple times, and adapted for the stage. Oversize materials include original newspapers and magazines containing profiles and interviews with French, reviews, and publicity. Audio/visual materials include readings and interviews on cassette and CD, and filmed interviews on VHS. French's 2007 novel, Cinder, is his only novel that is not represented in the papers with original manuscripts or proofs., Processing Information: This collection was processed by Moira J. Stockton and David R. Grinnell in November 2020., Albert French Papers, 1970-2010, SC.2020.04, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System, Gift of Albert French in July 2020., Albert French, born in 1943, is an American author and photographer, and a native Pittsburgher. After graduating from Penn Hills High School, French joined the United States Marine Corps, where he was sent to Vietnam. During his service he was wounded, receiving a gun shot in the neck. French survived the injury and returned to Pittsburgh and pursued a career in photography, working as a staff photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Later, he would publish his own magazine, The Pittsburgh Preview. After the magazine ventured failed, he began writing his Vietnam memoir entitled, Patches of Fire, but it was not published until later. French then wrote his first novel Billy, which was published and received international acclaim. In 2007, Billy was adapted for the stage by David Barr and debuted in Chicago. French wrote three more novels, and his memoir was eventually published, all favorably reviewed. Both Billy and Holly were translated into several languages. French’s novels are centered on racism in rural America against Black people and are most commented on for their lyricism and authentic dialogue. His other professional writings include authoring the introduction to The Folio Society’s (London) 1996 edition of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and the forward to the Heinz History Center’s exhibit catalog entitled, Soul Soldiers African Americans and the Vietnam Era (2006). After achieving status as an internationally acclaimed author, French enjoyed book tours in the United Kingdom and Europe. He gave talks and readings at conferences, public schools, libraries, and universities in Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and North Carolina. Now retired, he lives in the Point Breese neighborhood of Pittsburgh. French is also the cousin of author and Pittsburgh native, John Edgar Wideman.
Date
1970-2010
Type
Collection, Book reviews, Correspondence, Interviews, Manuscripts (Document genre), Manuscripts for publication
Identifier
pitt:US-PPiU-SC202004
Language
eng
Coverage
Homewood (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Rights
Copyright Undetermined. The copyright and related rights status of this Item has been reviewed by the organization that has made the Item available, but the organization was unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the Item. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/, Copyright Undetermined. The copyright and related rights status of this Item has been reviewed by the organization that has made the Item available, but the organization was unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the Item. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
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