Literature and Rare Books
Literary Collections
Literary special collections include book and manuscript holdings that document the lives and work of significant literary figures, encompassing artists, editors, journalists, poets, and writers. Notable archival holdings include the literary archive and personal library of American Modernist writers Katherine Anne Porter and Djuna Barnes. Additional authors represented in the collections include Elsa Von Freytag-Loringhoven, Thom Gunn, T.S Eliot, Ernest Hemingway, Ferdinand Reyher, as well as Maryland Poet Laureates Linda Pastan, Roland Flint, and Reed Whittemore.
Rare Books
The rare books collections contain books, pamphlets, and ephemera dating from the 15th century to the present day. These works span multiple languages, with subjects encompassing the humanities. Topics represented in the collection include natural history, religion, politics, science/technology, art, philosophy, and literature. Notable holdings highlight the history of book arts and design, early printed and manuscript works, and modern first editions.
Featured Collections
About the Collections
Collection strengths
- Modernist Literature
- William Morris and the Kelmscott Press
- History of the book
- Fine Press and Private Press Printing
- German Expressionism
- Early Modern Works
- French Revolutionary pamphlets
Search the Collections
Discover and request materials from Literature and Rare Book collections using the tools below.
Access the Collections
Literature and Rare Books collections are non-circulating and can be accessed in-person in the Maryland Room in Hornbake Library. Some material is available online in Digital Collections.
Spaces
Katherine Anne Porter Room
The Katherine Anne Porter Room is a replica of author Katherine Anne Porter's personal library. The room features her furniture, books, and personal artifacts. Porter (1890-1980) was an Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winning American author, best known for her short stories and novel, Ship of Fools.
More about the Katherine Anne Porter Room
Hornbake Library Letterpress Studio
Located on the ground floor, the Hornbake Library Letterpress Studio supports hands-on learning for history of the book and letterpress printing.
Collections Support
Curator, Literature and Rare Books
KAP Research Award
The Katherine Anne Porter Research Award supports research and creative projects that utilize the Katherine Anne Porter papers and related collections.
Exhibitions
Explore digital exhibitions online or visit our galleries in Hornbake Library.
Donations
Support Special Collections and University Archives by contributing to one of our unique gift funds or by donating material.