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Ralph H. Stephens collection
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Ralph H. Stephens collection | |
| Creator: Stephens, Ralph Haygood, 1910-1994 | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1910-1994 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 4 Linear Feet (8 boxes) | |
| Collection Number: UA01-023 | |
| Repository: University of Georgia Archives | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
Ralph Haygood Stephens was born on October 4, 1910 in Wrens, Georgia. He grew up helping his father, Charles Wynn, put out The Jefferson Reporter, a weekly paper that had to be typeset by hand. During this time he became the first of four sons to serve as editor for his father's newspaper.
He graduated from Wrens High School as the class Salutatorian in 1928. Stephens went on to receive his BA degree from Georgia Southern College (1933) and his MA in English at the University of Georgia in 1939.
In the initial years of his professional life Stephens was the principle of two high schools, served in the Army during World War II, and taught English at the University of Georgia for several years. Along with John Donald Wade he was instrumental in establishing the Georgia Review, the University of Georgia's literary quarterly.
Ralph Stephens joined the University of Georgia's staff in 1936 as a graduate assistant in the English Department and served as assistant director of the University Press from 1940-1949. He was an assistant professor of journalism from 1949-1950. In 1950, Stephens became the director of the University of Georgia Press, a post he held until his retirement in 1978.
He was responsible for initiating several series, among them Contemporary Poetry, Georgia History, Lamar Lectures on Southern Life and Letters, and Wormsloe Foundation Publications on Colonial History. During his tenure at the university press, it published more than 500 books in various disciplines.
Throughout his career Stephens had been interested in promoting the appreciation and enjoyment of poetry and became much in demand for his poetry readings, with Robert Frost listed as his favorite poet. He regularly gave poetry recitals for high schools, colleges, writer workshops, and various clubs.
The Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists honored him for his lifetime of devotion to published works. Stephens was also the recipient of a Southern Books Competition award for book design and had served as Vice President of the Association of American University Presses.
Scope and Content
This collection offers a glimpse at the personal and professional life of Ralph Haygood Stephens, former director of the University of Georgia Press (1950-1978). The professional material consists UGA Press and awards/certificates. The UGA Press subseries consists of a small amount of office files that include publishing lists, notes, and newspaper articles concerning the Press and Stephens. Also included are a few biographical sketches and resumes of Stephens', a copy of Who's Who in Publishing, and a bound copy of correspondence from colleagues that Stephens received upon retirement. There are four items in the awards and certificates subseries: a Phi Beta Kappa certificate of recognition and a copy of a resolution presented after Ralph Stephens' death in 1994, a Cobbham Casuals Series signed flyer, and a Dixie Council award plaque.
The personal material includes Stephens birth certificate, official Army, honorable discharge certificate, Army dog tags, a Medal of Good Conduct, Field and Camp Notebook, master's thesis, obituaries, memorial given by son, and burial flag. The photographs document Stephens' life from childhood through adulthood. Also included are family photos, press related photos, a dismantled scrapbook that includes correspondence, and a White House presentation to President Jimmy Carter. The largest subseries is poetry journals, which includes both collected and original poems. Ralph Stephens used these journals for promoting the appreciation and enjoyment of poetry through poetry recitals given at high schools, colleges, writers workshops, and clubs. The last Audiovisual material, houses the audio tape recordings of Ralph Stephens' poetry recitation. Included are love poems, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, and Byron Herbert Reece poems, and A Panorama of American Poetry: 1835-1935.
Organization and Arrangement
Organized into two groups: professional and personal.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
Though the collection is open for research, the audiovisual recordings do not have reference copies; however, reference copies are available upon request. Audiovisual research requests are dependent upon the format and condition of the recordings.
Preferred Citation
Ralph H. Stephens collection, UA01-023, University Archives, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
General Notes
RG1-10 (University of Georgia Press)