William D. Barney Papers
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The collection includes drafts of poems, plays, and other writings from 1934-1992. His poems cover a wide range of topics dealing with Fort Worth life and business. Manuscripts in short hand, children's poems, and aphorisms are also included.
Dates
- Creation: 1934-1992
- Creation: Majority of material found in 1934-1992 inclusive, 1972-1983
Creator
- Barney, William D. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Copyright has not been transferred to TCU.
Biographical / Historical
William D. Barney was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 19, 1916. His family moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1928, where his father wanted to try out for the local semiprofessional baseball team. Barney graduated from Fort Worth Central High School and attended Texas Christian University for a few years. During his time in school, Barney developed a fascination with poetry and wrote numerous stories about Fort Worth. In addition to working for the U.S. Postal Service, Barney published his works. The poem The Killdeer Crying won a National Robert Frost Award circa 1961. He went on to publish nine books of poetry and a few plays. Barney also became a member of the Texas Institute of Letters, The Poetry Society of America, and The Poetry Society of Texas. The third organization elected him president in 1952 and 1953. After thirty years of service, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service and dedicated the rest of his life to writing. In 1982, the state of Texas appointed him Poet Laureate of Texas. Barney died in Fort Worth, Texas on November 20, 2001 at the age of 85. He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Extent
2.5 Linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection includes the poet's writings such as, poems, short stories, manuscripts, plays, and drafts of works from 1934 to 1992.
Physical Location
Vault BB6 ; BC1
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donations made by William D. Barney in 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1989.
Cultural context
- Title
- Guide to the William D. Barney Papers
- Author
- Compiled by Miriam E. Villanueva
- Date
- 2014
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Mary Couts Burnett Library Repository
TCU Box 298400
2800 S. University Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76129-0001
Fort Worth Texas 76129
(817) 257-4566
(817) 257-7282 (Fax)
LibSpecialCollections@tcu.edu