Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994

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Peter Hillsman Taylor was a prize-winning American author, known for his stylish novels and short stories of the American South. Born in Tennessee, Taylor's family travelled throughout the South during his youth, and he credits these experiences with inspiring his later writing. He enrolled at Rhodes College, where Allen Tate urged him to transfer to Vanderbilt to study under John Crowe Ransom; he later followed Ransom to Kenyon College, along with Robert Lowell and Randall Jarrell. He garnered early critical success for his short stories and novels, and was considered one of the best writers of his generation by many colleagues. His intricate characters, evocative dialogue, and smooth style helped earn him numerous prestigious awards, culminating in the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1994.

From the description of Peter Taylor letter to Mrs. Bradford, 1963 Oct. 5. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 173022969

Peter Hillsman Taylor (Jan. 8, 1917-Nov. 2, 1994) was born in Trenton, Tennessee, and grew up there and in Nashville, St. Louis and Memphis. He attended Vanderbilt University as an undergraduate in the late 1930s, and he and his close friend Robert Lowell studied with John Crowe Ransom at Kenyon College. Taylor was also a student of Allen Tate and Robert Penn Warren, and a lifelong friend of Randall Jarrell. He served in the military in World War II and taught literature and writing at numerous colleges. Taylor is celebrated as one of the greatest writers of short stories in American literature, but also wrote three novels. One of them, A summons to Memphis, won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He died in Charlottesville, Virginia.

From the description of Peter Hillsman Taylor Papers (Addition), 1945-2000 (Vanderbilt University Library). WorldCat record id: 271206192

From the description of Peter Hillsman Taylor Papers, 1905-1988. (Vanderbilt University Library). WorldCat record id: 271188704

American author.

From the description of Papers of Peter Hillsman Taylor, 1939-1977 [manuscript]. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647834100

From the description of Photograph of Taylor taken by Kiyoyki Ono [manuscript], 1987. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647808017

From the description of Letters to Robie Macauley [manuscript], 1946-1948. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647807991

Peter Taylor was born on January 8, 1917 in Trenton, Tennessee. Developing a talent for writing early in life, he entered Vanderbilt University in 1936 to study literature and creative writing. His teachers there included the Southern poets John Crowe Ransom and Allen Tate. The following year he transferred to Southwestern College in Memphis, but completed his undergraduate work at Kenyon College in Ohio. At Kenyon he began lifelong friendships with fellow students Robert Lowell and Randall Jarrell. In 1940 Taylor entered Louisiana State University as a graduate student, but completed only two semesters.

There he studied with both Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren. After serving with the U.S. Army in England during WWII, Taylor joined the faculty of the Woman's College in Greensboro, N.C., teaching intermittently from 1946 to 1952 and 1963 to 1967. In his long career as a teacher-writer, Taylor taught at numerous other colleges, including Indiana State (1948-49), the University of Chicago (1952), Kenyon College (1952-57), Ohio State (1957-63), Harvard University (1964) and the University of Virginia (1967-1983), where he headed the creative writing program.

Best known for his contributions to the New Yorker, Taylor had stories published in numerous periodicals, authored seven collections of short stories, the novella A woman of means, and many experimental one act plays. His work brought him recognition as a Southern writer as well as many awards, including a Pulitzer in 1967 for his novel A summons to Memphis. In 1943 he married Eleanor Ross, a poet and 1940 graduate of the Woman's College. They had two children, Peter Ross and Katherine Baird, a 1978 graduate of UNCG. Taylor died at the age of 77 on Nov. 2, 1994 in Charlottesville, Va.

From the description of Peter Hillsman Taylor manuscripts. [1945-1966] (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 36850706

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Between the Covers Rare Books. Books from the library of Peter Taylor and Eleanor Ross Taylor / Between the Covers. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. [At the drugstore]. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Papers of Peter Hillsman Taylor, 1976-1980. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Yardley, Jonathan. Jonathan Yardley papers, 1792-2006. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Who was Jesse's friend and protector? / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Giroux, Robert, 1944-. Letter to Peter Taylor, 1982 March 16. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The other times. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Peter Hillsman Taylor Papers (Addition), 1945-2000 Vanderbilt University Library, Jean and Alexander Heard Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The death of a kinsman : a play / by Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Randall Jarrell collection of papers, 1914-1969, 1927-1967 The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.
referencedIn Beattie, Ann. Papers of Ann Beattie [manuscript], ca. 1987. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Additional Papers of Alan Cheuse 1961-1988 University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Je suis perdu. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The girl from Forkéd Deer. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Hardwick, Elizabeth. Papers, 1934-1991 (bulk 1960-1990). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Graham, Margaret Bloy. A woman of means : production material. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Reservations : a love story / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Two pilgrims. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Demons / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Casey, John, 1939-. Papers of John Casey [manuscript], 1954-2002. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Je suis perdu. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Warren, Robert Penn, 1905-1989. Introduction [to A long fourth and other stories] / Robert Penn Warren. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Papers, 1952-2004 (inclusive), 1970-2004 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Stafford, Jean, 1915-1979. Jean Stafford papers, 1893-1992 University of Colorado, Boulder
referencedIn Willrich, Patricia Rowe. Papers, 1949-1996. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The next voice you hear / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Cousins, family love, family life, all that. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. A friend and protector. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Tom, tell him. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Rubin, Louis Decimus, 1923-. Louis Decimus Rubin papers, 1945- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Peter Taylor letter to Mrs. Bradford, 1963 Oct. 5. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Robert Lowell Papers TXRC94-A10., ca. 1845-1988, (bulk 1970-1977) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Postcard to Irvin Ehrenpreis, 1978 January 4. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Kiernan, Frances, 1944-. Frances Kiernan papers, 1976-1988. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Robert Lowell Papers TXRC94-A10., ca. 1845-1988, (bulk 1970-1977) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Sullivan, Walter, 1924-2006. Walter Sullivan Collection, 1928-1993. Vanderbilt University Library, Jean and Alexander Heard Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Miss Leonora when last seen / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Hunter, Jody Jones. Jody Jones Hunter and Sian McLain Hunter collection of works by Peter Taylor, 1946-1994. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Crampton, Nancy. Photograph of Peter Taylor, 1975. University of Tennessee, John C. Hodges Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. A pair of bright blue eyes / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Tennessee Day in St.Louis a comedy mimeographed acting script [1957] /by Peter Taylor University of Toledo, William S. Carlson Library
referencedIn Ransom, John Crowe, 1888-1974. Letter to Mrs. F.E. Lund [manuscript], 1968 February 12. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Papers of Peter Hillsman Taylor, 1939-1977 [manuscript]. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Casey, John, 1939-. Papers of John Casey [manuscript], 1939-1990. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Frances Kiernan papers, 1976-1988 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Taylor, Peter Hillsman, 1917-. Letters to (Paul) Engle. 1941. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Tennessee Day in St. Louis : a comedy / by Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Squires, Radcliffe, 1917-1993. Papers, 1960-1981. Washington University in St. Louis, .
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Letters to Robie Macauley [manuscript], 1946-1948. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Peter Hillsman Taylor manuscripts. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Two pilgrims / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. A cheerful disposition / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Lowell, Robert, 1917-1977. Robert Lowell papers, 1861-1976 (inclusive) 1935-1970 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Peter Hillsman Taylor Papers, 1905-1988. Vanderbilt University Library, Jean and Alexander Heard Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The paper boy / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The cloistered bull. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Dickey, James, 1923-. Papers, 1940-1990 (inclusive), 1968-1990 (bulk). Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The throughway / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Hopwood Awards Collection, 1930- University of Michigan
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Je suis perdu / Peter Taylor. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Nerves. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Guests. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. An overwhelming question. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Demons. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Heads of houses. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Robert Lowell papers, 1861-1976 (inclusive) 1935-1970 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Casey, John, 1939-. Papers of John Casey [manuscript], 1977-1994. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Jones, Madison, 1925-. Madison Jones papers, 1950-1989. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
creatorOf Carter, Thomas H. (Thomas Henry), 1931-1963. Correspondence, 1950-1962. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Photograph of Taylor taken by Kiyoyki Ono [manuscript], 1987. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. There. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Mrs. Billingsby's wine. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The girl from Forkéd Deer. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Mary Bernetta Quinn Papers, ., 1937-1998 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. The freeway. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Reservations : a love story. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Peter, 1917-1994. Heads of houses. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, UNCG University Libraries
referencedIn Peter H. Taylor Collection, 1943-1995. University of Mississippi
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Albee, Edward, 1928- person
associatedWith Angell, Robert, 1920- , person
associatedWith Arts Forum of the Women's College of the University of North Carolina. corporateBody
associatedWith Baumbach, Jonathan. person
associatedWith Beattie, Ann. person
associatedWith Bellow, Saul. person
associatedWith Bentley, Eric, 1916- . person
associatedWith Bingham, Barry, 1906-1988, person
associatedWith Bissell, Charles Overman, 1908- person
associatedWith Bradford, Mary Rose, person
associatedWith Bradford, Roark, 1896-1948. person
associatedWith Brinnin, John Malcolm, 1916-, person
associatedWith Carter, Thomas H. (Thomas Henry), 1931-1963. person
associatedWith Casey, John, 1939- person
associatedWith Cheuse, Alan. person
associatedWith Crampton, Nancy. person
associatedWith Danforth, John C., person
associatedWith Dickey, James. person
associatedWith Dickey, James, 1923- person
associatedWith Eaton, Charles Edward, 1916-2006. person
associatedWith Ehrenpreis, Irvin, 1920-1985, person
associatedWith Engle, Paul, 1908-1991, person
associatedWith Flanner, Janet, 1892-1978. person
associatedWith Fowles, John, 1926-2005. person
associatedWith Fugitives (Group) corporateBody
associatedWith Giroux, Robert, person
associatedWith Giroux, Robert, 1944- person
associatedWith Goyen, William. person
associatedWith Graham, Margaret Bloy. person
associatedWith Harcourt Brace & Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Hardwick, Elizabeth. person
associatedWith Harrigan, Anthony. person
associatedWith Hawkes, John, 1925-1998. person
associatedWith Hecht, Roger, 1926- person
associatedWith Hellman, Lillian, 1905-1984. person
associatedWith Howard, Richard, 1929- person
associatedWith Hunter, Jody Jones. person
associatedWith Jarrell, Mackie Langham. person
associatedWith Jarrell, Randall, 1914-1965. person
associatedWith Jean Valentine person
associatedWith Jones, Madison, 1925- person
associatedWith Kiernan, Frances, 1944- person
associatedWith Kunitz, Stanley, 1905-2006. person
associatedWith Lilly family. family
associatedWith Lilly Mall (Norwood, N.C.) corporateBody
associatedWith Lowell, Robert, 1917-1977 person
associatedWith Lurie, Alison. person
associatedWith Macauley, Robie person
associatedWith Malamud, Bernard. person
associatedWith Malone, Dumas, 1892-1986, person
associatedWith Maxwell, William, 1908-2000. person
associatedWith McDowell, David, person
associatedWith Merrill, James Ingram. person
associatedWith Moss, Howard, 1922-1987. person
associatedWith O'Donnell, George Marion. person
associatedWith Palmer, John. person
associatedWith Peden, William (William Harwood), 1913-1999, person
associatedWith Penick, James L., person
associatedWith Porter, Katherine Anne, 1890-1980. person
associatedWith Price, Reynolds, 1933-2011. person
associatedWith Quinn, Mary Bernetta. person
associatedWith Ransom, John Crowe, 1888-1974. person
associatedWith Rosenfeld, Isaac, 1918-1956. person
associatedWith Rubin, Louis Decimus, 1923- person
associatedWith Sillitoe, Alan. person
associatedWith Singer, Isaac Bashevis, 1904-1991. person
correspondedWith Squires, Radcliffe, 1917-1993. person
correspondedWith Stafford, Jean, 1915-1979. person
associatedWith Stone, Robert, 1937- person
associatedWith Styron, William, 1925-2006. person
correspondedWith Sullivan, Walter, 1924-2006. person
associatedWith Tate, Allen, 1899-1979, person
associatedWith Taylor, Eleanor Ross, 1920- person
associatedWith Thompson, John Anderson, 1918- person
associatedWith University of Iowa. corporateBody
associatedWith University of North Carolina (1793-1962) corporateBody
associatedWith University of Virginia corporateBody
associatedWith Valentine, Jean. person
associatedWith Waldrop, Frank Campbell, 1905- person
associatedWith Waller, James. person
associatedWith Warren, Robert Penn, 1905-1989. person
associatedWith Welty, Eudora, 1909-2001. person
associatedWith White, Katherine Sergeant Angell, person
associatedWith Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983. person
correspondedWith Willrich, Patricia Rowe. person
associatedWith Yardley, Jonathan. person
associatedWith Yoder, Edwin, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
North Carolina
United States
Key West (Fla.)
Southern States
Southern States
Subject
American literature
American literature
Architecture, Domestic
Agrarians (Group of writers)
Authors, American
Authors, American
Authors and publishers
Authors and readers
Teachers as authors
Creative writing (Higher education)
Editing
Male authors, American
Playwriting
Poetry
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1917-01-08

Death 1994-11-02

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w6rb79gr

SNAC ID: 20125939