Browne Popular Culture Library

Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Series Description

Correspondence (9.0 cu.ft.)

Series:

Incoming Correspondence

1942,1951 to present

Arranged chronologically.

The correspondence can include letters from Ray Browne’s national and international colleagues discussing the expansion of popular culture studies via academic programs, conferences and publications. Funding for such study through various funding agencies especially the National Endowment for the Humanities is an important aspect of this discussion. Browne’s consultations, speaking engagements, travel, research inquiries and student mentoring are also pertinent subject matter.

Outgoing Correspondence

1951–2001

Arranged chronologically.

Browne’s own correspondence reflects his passion for the study of literature, folklore and popular culture and his personal involvement in the growth and furthering of his ideas and viewpoints via publications and conferences.

Bowling Green State University Correspondence

1968-1999

Arranged chronologically.

This set of documents chronicles Browne’s interaction with colleagues and the administration at BGSU from the development of the popular culture program and department, its continued growth and his role after retirement from the university.

Publication Correspondence

1958-2003 (scattered)

Arranged chronologically by project.

Letters from publishers and others regarding Browne publications.

Personal/Family Correspondence

1954-Present

Arranged by subject.

Letters sent to Ray Browne by his immediate family members, other relatives and high school friends.

Collection Donor/Prospective Donor Correspondence

1969-1998 (scattered)

Arranged alphabetically by individual name.

A portion of this correspondence is comprised of documents organized by the name of individuals who maintained a regular dialogue over a period of years with Ray Browne usually regarding their collection donation to the Center for the Study of Popular Culture and the Popular Culture Library. Another portion of this correspondence is comprised of form letters sent by Browne in 1969 and 1973 accompanied by replies from prospective donors. Later, copies of form letters sent in the 1980’s and 1990’s by either Browne or by Popular Culture Library Head, Brenda McCallum are included.

Files (9.0 cu.ft.)

Series:

Research Files

(c. 1950), 1957-2001 (scattered)

Arranged chronologically by writing project.

The bulk of these files focus upon Browne’s research interest in the Alabama folk song/lyric, songsters, American and popular literature and history. Files can include musical manuscripts, lyrics, notes, note cards, informant bios, correspondence bibliographies and articles.

Class Files

1949-1983

Arranged by subject then chronologically.

Older files include class notes, syllabi and handouts from literature and folklore classes taken by Browne as a student. Detailed notes, samples of student work and other miscellaneous documents suggest these were from classes he taught. Files of written exams completed by BGSU PhD candidates whom Browne may have advised are located at the end of this series.

Subject Files

1969-1992

Arranged by subject then chronologically.

The files are divided into the following categories: Popular Culture Department, BGSU popular culture degree programs, American Studies Association, Popular Culture Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Correspondence, proposals, printed materials are included. A set of 1986 Popular Culture Library fundraising contact cards are found at the end of this series.

Literary Productions (14.5 cu.ft.)

Series:

Manuscripts – Longer Works by Ray B. Browne

1955-2005

Arranged chronologically.

These can includes rough drafts, corrected drafts, miscellaneous draft pages, scattered galleys and notes for books written or edited by Browne.

Manuscripts – Shorter Works by Ray B.Browne

1951-1987

Arranged chronologically

These can include drafts, miscellaneous draft pages and some notes for articles, book reviews, short stories, poetry, conference papers, speeches and others. Class papers also appear here.

Manuscripts – Longer Works by other authors

1976-2003

Arranged chronologically.

Final drafts of theses and dissertations by BGSU students and drafts of book manuscripts possibly submitted to the Popular Press are included.

Manuscripts – Shorter Works by other authors

1955-2002

Arranged chronologically.

These include articles, class papers, conference papers and some drafts collected by Browne.

Legal Documents (1 folder)

Series:

Memoranda of Agreement

1964-2002

Legal documents for Browne’s publications appear at the end of the manuscripts for his longer works.

Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials (2.5 cu.ft.)

Series:

News Clippings

1969-2005

Arranged by subject then chronologically.

Topics include articles about Ray and Pat Browne, the Popular Culture Association and popular culture at BGSU. Other articles in oversized box.

BGSU Department of Popular Culture Scrapbooks

1969-1991

Arranged chronologically.

The scrapbooks are comprised of mostly news clippings, periodical articles and printed materials documenting the department’s activities during Ray Browne’s tenure as faculty member and chair.

Printed Materials (3.5 cu.ft.)

Series:

Printed Materials Files

1946-2004 (scattered)

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

These files can include publications, articles, news clippings, newsletters, brochures and some conference materials.

Published Articles by Ray B. Browne

1953-present

Arranged chronologically.

These include copies of many of Browne’s published journal articles.

Series:

Ray B. Browne Printed Materials

1940-2005

No arrangement.

Includes miscellaneous personal documents such as certificates of recognition, reviews of his publications, publicity from his speaking engagements, resumes and the like.

Photographic Material (.5 cu.ft.)

Series:

Miscellaneous Photographs

1940-2005 (scattered)

Arranged by subject.

The earliest photograph in the collection is a copy of a 1940 image of Browne’s high school graduating class. Other photos are portraits of Browne and individuals active in the Popular Culture Association or the American Culture Association.

Audio/Video Recordings (3.0 cu.ft.)

Series:

Audio Cassette Recordings

1986-1994

No arrangement.

Includes recordings of sessions from popular culture conferences and interviews with Browne and others within the field . A set of unidentified Chinese music recordings are included.

Audio Reel to Reel Recordings

No date - c. 1950.

No arrangement.

These appear to be mostly unidentified recordings for Browne’s Alabama folk song/lyric research and include performances given by various folk musicians. Recordings of his book manuscript are found here as well. Due to the poor condition of the recordings, they are not accessible.

Video Recordings

1989, no date.

No arrangement.

These include an interview with Browne and a feature about the Department of Popular Culture at BGSU.

Computer Media (11 disks)

Series:

Computer Disks

1996, 2002, no date

No arrangement.

These miscellaneous disks contain data for Browne projects, his bibliography of works, an article sent to him about Russell Nye and other miscellaneous topics.

Artifacts (.5 cu.ft.)

1953, no date.

No arrangement.

A variety of objects include a roll of microfilm, a PCA-ACA T-shirt, a Popular Press plastic bag and the like. The framed artwork for the Journal of Popular Culture logo is in the oversized box.

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