Anne and Harry M. Caudill Collection, 1854-1996

Anne and Harry M. Caudill Collection, 1854-1996

The University of Kentucky Library Special Collections received the gift of Anne and Harry Caudills' papers and photographs over a period of three years, from May of 1988 to November of 1990.

Filling over one hundred archival boxes, each holding approximately one-half cubic foot and spanning over forty years, from the late 1940s to 1990, it is a rich archive. The papers illuminate the Caudills' own work in various arenas, such as the environment and development, but also document, for example, the anti-strip mining work of Save Our Kentucky (SOK) and the development theories laid out by the Congress for Appalachian Development (CAD).

The subject files, probably the meatiest part for most researchers and comprising about 30% of the collection, contain correspondence and clippings arranged topically, then chronologically. Broad areas include "Development in Appalachia," "Education," "Environment," "Politics," and "War on Poverty." Each category is further broken down into more specific groupings. For example, the subject "Environment" is separated into such sub-divisions as "Red River Gorge Dam," "Lilley's Woods," "Strip Mining," and "White House Conference on Natural Beauty."

Another important part of the collection is the "Correspondence" section and, like the subject files, it is organized topically, then chronologically. Here, a researcher can examine the breadth of Caudill's influence on shaping people's definitions of Appalachia and Appalachians as well as on the molding of government policy at both the federal and state levels. In-coming and out-going correspondence about Night Comes to the Cumberlands alone fills five boxes and spans from publication date in 1963 to 2005. The sheer volume of the letters is remarkable, as is the diversity of people who read and were influenced by the book--from government officials to students living out West.

The collection does include more standard archival fare: a complete run of Caudill's published articles and manuscripts of much of his writing. Yet, amongst these, there are some not-so-usual items, such as manuscripts of his government testimonies and speeches and lectures delivered throughout the country.

Finally, the collection contains reviews of Caudill's books; biographical materials; a box of papers illustrating his involvement in a number of documentary films and radio and television programs; and a fascinating compilation of articles/sources Caudill consulted in his own research.