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Finding aid of the James Barr Papers
Coll2008-043
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Title: James Barr papers
Dates: 1951-1991
Collection number: Coll2008-043
Creator:
Barr, James (pseudonym for James W. Fugaté)
Creator:
Fugaté, James W., 1922-1995
Collection Size: 1 archive carton.
0.4 linear foot.
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Manuscripts, correspondence, clippings and
photographs relating to gay author James W. Fugaté (1922-1995), who under the
pseudonym James Barr, wrote the groundbreaking novel,
Quatrefoil (1950), as well as other
gay-themed works, including a volume of short stories,
Derricks (1951), and a play,
Game of Fools (1955). The collection also
includes manuscripts of short stories and of articles he contributed to
homophile periodicals such as
ONE Magazine,
Der Kreis and the
Mattachine Review; correspondence with his
publishers and homophile organizations such as ONE, Inc.; and photographs of
Fugaté dating back to 1952.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection: English
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
James Barr papers, Coll2008-043, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives,
Los Angeles, California.
Donor and date of acquisition unknown.
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama,
June 24, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded
by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission.
James W. Fugaté was born in Missouri on February 13, 1922. Fugaté was
still a child when his mother died and, having never met his father, was
relocated several times before a foster couple decided to raise him. After
serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Fugaté studied professional
writing at a university, but soon dropped out and moved to New York City where
he earned a living writing advertising copy for television.
His experience in the Navy was the inspiration for his book, the
groundbreaking novel,
Quatrefoil, first published in 1950. Written
under the pseudonym, James Barr,
Quatrefoil is hailed as one of the first
novels to present a frank and positive depiction of same-sex love. Following
the success of
Quatrefoil, he published a volume of short
stories,
Derricks (1951), and the play,
Game of Fools (1955).
During the Korean War, Fugaté reenlisted in the U.S. Navy, but he was
discharged when a background check by Naval Intelligence revealed him to be the
author of
Quatrefoil. Following the incident, he moved
to Los Angeles where he became aware of ONE, Inc., the Mattachine Society and
the early gay rights movement. As an early activist, he contributed a number of
articles to homophile periodicals--such as
ONE Magazine,
Der Kreis (
The Circle) and
Mattachine Review--throughout the 1950s. By
the mid-1960s, however, he lost touch with the gay rights movement and returned
to the Midwest, where he earned a living in a variety of jobs, including
laborer in oil fields and reporter for the
Kansas City Star. He eventually settled in
Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he died on March 28, 1995.
Source: James Barr Papers, Coll2008-043, ONE National Gay & Lesbian
Archives, Los Angeles, California
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection comprises manuscripts, correspondence, clippings and
photographs. The manuscripts include short stories and articles Fugaté wrote
for early homophile periodicals, such as
ONE Magazine and
Der Kreis (
The Circle.) The correspondence documents
his participation in the 1950s homophile movement as well as his work with
publishers of his books. The photographs include photos of him in the 1950s and
publicity photos taken for the re-issue of his novel,
Quatrefoil, in 1991. The materials prior to
1980 appear to have been pulled from the files of ONE, Inc.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Barr, James
Fugaté, James W.,
1922-1995
Gay authors--United States--20th
century
Gays' writings, American
Homosexuality and literature