Centre for Literary Studies part-time archivist, Barbara Gentil, with the photographs archive.Collection of Photographs of African Writers Complete
The Centre for Literary Studies (CALS) has completed archival work on its substantial collection of photographs of African literary figures.
These are to a large extent part of the original Lindfors Collection which forms the core collection of materials at CALS.
Bernth Lindfors, a retired Professor of English at the University of Texas in Austin in the United States, continues to donate items to CALS and also makes use of the collection.
The collection is popular with publishers, especially from the international community. A recent letter from Lindfors reveals how the CALS’ photographs are being used. He wrote: ‘Yes, the photos [slides of the originals] arrived a few days ago, and I'm very glad to have them. The one of Achebe may be used in a future publication by the African Literature Association.’
He explained that the well-known Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o would use some of the slides. ‘The photos of Elvania Zirimu were sent to Ngugi wa Thiong’o who is now writing the next instalment of his memoirs which deal with his years at Makerere University, where he knew Elvania and her husband, Pio.’
CALS will be credited by the publishers as the source for photographs.
The photographs can be viewed at the Centre and the contents are listed at http://cals.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/CALS_Collections/Photograph_Collection_List.sflb.ashx
For further assistance please contact Darlene Holtz 033 260 6249 or Wiseman Masango 033 260 6491.
- Christine Stilwell