Possessing an “Inner History”

Abstract

Acquisition histories reveal how relationships between repository curators and collection donors shape an institution's holdings as well as the direction of future scholarship. However, researchers often overlook the significance of acquisition histories, as cultural heritage organizations do not make this information readily available, for accession information either is considered private or is not presumed to be valuable. Therefore, tracing acquisition histories requires analyzing evidence across critical, artistic, and institutional records to see how curators recruit donors and then support the processing and promotion of their collections. The case study of curator Kevin Young and Lucille Clifton at Emory University's Stuart A. Rose Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Book Library provides an example of the merit of acquisition histories. While Clifton had no previous institutional connection to Emory, she chose Rose Library because she knew Young personally and trusted him, as both belonged to the same community of African American poets. I argue that Young advocated for Clifton's papers out of respect for her legacy, which included her mentorship of his early career. This “inner history” between writer and curator, mentor and protege, demonstrates the value of affective stewardship, or when a curator's emotional connection to a writer generates a level of collection advocacy surpassing standard promotional practices.