Finding aid for the Henry Miller papers

Biography of Henry Miller

Henry Valentine Miller (December 26, 1891 - June 7, 1980) was an American novelist and painter. His novels include Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring. He also wrote travel memoirs and essays of literary criticism and analysis. During the writing of his novels in the 1930s, Miller lived in Paris. His work was banned in the United States on the grounds of obscenity, but would be smuggled into the country to create his reputation as an underground writer. In 1940, he returned to the United States, settling in Big Sur, California. The publication of Tropic of Cancer in the United States in 1961 led to a series of obscenity trials that tested American laws on pornography.

Scope and Content

The Henry Miller papers span from 1939 to 1966 and contain correspondence and pamphlets. The correspondence includes twenty-two handwritten letters, post cards, and a tear sheet from Miller to Fred Bason, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Mrs. Berg, Marshall Bean, Conrad Moricand, Myron Wood, Arthur Secunda, David Battan, Jack Herschman, Graham Ackroyd, Ronald Handyside, and Lynn Martin. One pamphlet is written by Valentine Miller and the other by Riccardo M. Degli Uberti.

Statement of Arrangement

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

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Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite collection name, collection number, and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Other Finding Aid

A paper copy of the folder list is available.