Correspondence from and to Thomas Merton

Identity elements

Reference code

US US-kylobm TMC-RG1

Name and location of repository

Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University

Level of description

Record group

Title

Correspondence from and to Thomas Merton

Date(s)

  • 1931-2024 (Creation)

Extent

45 cubit feet; 18 drawers

Name of creator

Merton, Thomas
(1915-1968)

Biographical history

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a writer and Trappist monk at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. His writings include such classics as The Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds of Contemplation, and Zen and the Birds of Appetite. Merton is the author of more than seventy books that include poetry, personal journals, collections of letters, social criticism, and writings on peace, justice, and ecumenism.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

This Record Group contains Merton's correspondence. The bulk years of the collection are between 1963 and his death in 1968 with some earlier correspondence or copies of correspondence. There are an estimated ten thousand pieces of correspondence. Included are both letters to and from Merton. In addition, there are letters that are related to Merton or the Merton Center, but not to or from Merton. Subjects of this collection vary and include personal correspondence, conscience matter and other spiritual direction, dialogue with social activist groups, and correspondence with publishers. Most materials are unpublished at present. Bibliographic records for Bellarmine Library and Merton Center holdings of published volumes can be found by following the "Catalogued Holdings" link below.

System of arrangement

This Record Group is arranged primarily by the name (last, first) of the person corresponding with Merton. Within each person's folder, arrangement is chronological unless otherwise specified. For example, letters to and from Mark Van Doren are filed under "Van Doren, Mark" in the order sent and received.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Letters to Thomas Merton from others are not a part of the Merton Legacy Trust and may be made available for reading and note taking upon the signing of Form A unless the person in correspondence with Merton has expressly restricted such access in writing. Letters may not be copied, quoted, published, or reprinted without the written permission of the person in correspondence with Merton or that person's heir (Form C).

Letters written by Thomas Merton to others may be made available for reading and note taking upon the signing of Form A unless the Merton Legacy Trust has restricted access to particular letters. Unpublished letters by Merton must not however be copied, quoted, published or reprinted without the written permission of the Merton Legacy Trustees (Form C).

Although most of the correspondence remains unpublished, please refer to our Copyright page for information concerning use of published materials.

Languages of the material

  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Latin
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish

Scripts of the material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

    Acquisition and appraisal elements

    Custodial history

    Immediate source of acquisition

    Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

    Accruals

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    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related archival materials

    Related descriptions

    Notes element

    Specialized notes

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Section

    A

    Description control element

    Rules or conventions

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    Accession area