Identifier
C594 (local)

Repository
Indiana University Archives

Date
1971 - 1983 (Inclusive dates)
1978 - 1982 (Bulk dates)

Summary

The is an edited volume assembled by the Indiana University Folklore Institute in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Published in 1983, it includes many short, explanatory essays on the forms, methods, and theories that are of interest to folklorists, as well as guidelines for the interpretation, archiving, and presentation of research to public and academic audiences. authors were invited to contribute by the volume's editors, which include Folklore Institute founder Richard M. Dorson. This was one of Dorson's last major projects before his death in 1981.

Creator and/or Contributor
Indiana University, Bloomington. Folklore Institute (creator)

Scope and Content Note

Scope and Content Note

This collection is organized into four series: Project background and administrative files, Inquiries and initial author correspondence, and Manuscripts and author correspondence (which includes the subseries Dorson contributions). All files are arranged in alphabetical order

The first series (1971-1983) and traces the evolution of the project through the stages of ideation, funding, and publication. The second series (1976-1983) and organizes the editors' initial correspondence with potential contributors. While some refused the invitation, many accepted it. The third series (1978-1982) focuses on the drafting process. These files illustrate the sometimes significant changes that occurred from the first draft to the published chapter. Because Richard Dorson made several contributions to the book, an undated subseries catalogs his work alone. The final series of audiovisual materials includes several undated photographs and audio relating to the project

Administrative/Biographical History Element

Administrative History

The Handbook of American Folklore is an edited volume assembled by the Indiana University Folklore Institute in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Published in 1983, it includes many short, explanatory essays on the forms, methods, and theories that are of interest to folklorists, as well as guidelines for the interpretation, archiving, and presentation of research to public and academic audiences. Handbook authors were invited to contribute by the volume's editors, which include Folklore Institute founder Richard M. Dorson. This was one of Dorson's last major projects before his death in 1981

Organized both ambitiously and broadly, the Handbook attempted to systematize the study of American (U.S. and Canadian, mainly) folklore for its day. The editorial staff--Dorson at the helm, with assistance from Betsy Peterson, Angela Maniak, and Inta Carpenter--faced the challenge of capturing in a single volume the breadth of folkloric expression and study in an accessible format that would alienate neither the novice nor the academic. Practically, they were successful. The book was completed and released. It was met with mixed reviews, however, with overbroadness being among the common complaints

Dorson was not able to respond to these criticisms--and his extant publications suggest that he would have--as he passed away on Sept. 11, 1981. Editorial staffers Peterson, Maniak, and Carpenter finished the project on their own. If it has faults, it also admirably organizes and describes a significant portion of what folklorists do. It is for this reason, perhaps, that the Handbook remains a ubiquitous volume on many Folklore Institute bookshelves today

System of Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is organized into four series: Project background and administrative files, Inquiries and initial author correspondence, Manuscripts and author correspondence and Audiovisual materials

Conditions Governing Access

Access Restrictions

Select files closed to researchers. Advance notice required for access to collection

Related Archival Materials

Related Material

Additional records such as newsletters, annual reports, bulletins, and publications may be accessed in the Archives of Institutional Memory

Archived web sites for the Folklore Institute may be included in Archive-It

Related photographs may be available in the University Archives Photographs Database

Conditions Governing Access

Usage Restrictions

Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, contact the Indiana University Archivist

Custodial History

Provenance

Transferred from the Indiana University Folklore Institute, July 12, 2010

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquisition Information

Accession: 2010/065

General Note

Processing Information

Processed by Chad Edward Buterbaugh

Completed in 2015

Appraisal

Appraisal

A number of duplicate files have been recycled. These did not include vital information about the initiation and completion of this project. Files containing the Social Security Numbers of project organizers and participants have been shredded. Reviews of drafted chapters have been discarded

Extent
4 (cubic feet)
6 (boxes)

Language
English (Languages)

Other Subject Headings
Dorson, Richard M. (Richard Mercer), 1916-1981 --Archives (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Dorson, Richard M. (Richard Mercer), 1916-1981 --Correspondence (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Indiana University, Bloomington. Folklore Institute --Archives (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Indiana University, Bloomington. Folklore Institute --Archives --Records and correspondence (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Handbook of American folklore (Local)
Folklore--Study and teaching (Higher) --Indiana--Bloomington --History --Sources (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))

Preferred Citation
[Item], Indiana University Folklore Institute's Handbook of American Folklore records, Collection C594, Office of University Archives and Records Management, Indiana University, Bloomington

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