Collection of Joaquin Miller Papers, 1871-1967,, bulk , bulk 1871-1913

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Summary

Creators:
Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913
Abstract:
Contains correspondence, to and from Miller; manuscripts of writings, including poetry; clippings by and about Miller, many about his death. Also includes a small amount of legal and financial records, tributes, programs and souvenirs, and other miscellaneous items. Some correspondents include Andrew Carnegie, Ina D. Coolbrith, Jack London, James D. Phelan, George Sterling and Charles Warren Stoddard.
Extent:
Number of containers: 5 boxes and 2 cartons Linear feet: 4.5
Language:
Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

Contains correspondence, to and from Miller; manuscripts of writings, including poetry; clippings by and about Miller, many about his death. Also includes a small amount of legal and financial records, tributes, programs and souvenirs, and other miscellaneous items. Some correspondents include Andrew Carnegie, Ina D. Coolbrith, Jack London, James D. Phelan, George Sterling and Charles Warren Stoddard.

Biographical / historical:

Born Cincinnatus Heine (or Hiner) Miller on September 8, 1837, near Liberty, Indiana. In 1852, his family moved to the Oregon Territory and two years later at the age of 17 he went to the California gold fields. At the urging of Ina D. Coolbrith, he changed his name to Joaquin Miller sometime around 1870.

Best know as a poet, Miller also worked as a mining camp cook, a lawyer and a judge, a newspaper writer, a conservationist, and a Pony Express rider. Miller proclaimed himself the "Poet of the Sierras," and the "Byron of the Rockies."

Miller took poetic license to heart and stretched many of the facts of his life, sometimes even claiming to be younger than he was. He found fame in England with many of his "tall truths."

In 1886, Joaquin began buying land above Oakland, using poetic license and naming it "The Hights." The land was later sold by his family in 1919 to the City of Oakland and named Joaquin Miller Park.

Joaquin Miller died February 17, 1913.

Acquisition information:
The Collection of Joaquin Miller Papers were given to and/or purchased by The Bancroft Library at various times. Some folders are annotated with information with respect to provenance. Most of the original materials were acquired in the T.W. Norris Collection and the Robert B. Honeyman Collection. Additions were made in October 1962, a gift of his daughter, Juanita Miller. Additions in the form of purchases were made in February 2006.
Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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