About the Poetry Collection
A University at Buffalo Libraries Special Collection, the Poetry Collection is the library of record for 20th- and 21st-century poetry in English. Founded in 1937 by Charles Abbott, the Poetry Collection now holds one of the world’s largest collections of poetry first editions and other titles, little literary magazines, broadsides and anthologies; a substantial collection of artworks; and more than 150 archives and manuscript collections from a wide range of poets, presses, magazines and organizations. Today, the Poetry Collection continues its mission of acquiring the publications and papers from writers located at both the center and the margins of poetic culture. An active research center for the study of all facets of contemporary poetry, each year the collection:
- supports with its materials a wide range of publications
- assists with the educational activities of UB and other schools
- participates in various events in the local literary communities
- loans items to exhibitions around the world
- welcomes dozens of prominent scholars and graduate students engaged in primary research
- and hosts numerous lectures, conferences, readings and other events.
About Special Collections
Special Collections includes four units: The Poetry Collection, University Archives, Rare & Special Books and The Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection. Housed separately from the Libraries’ regular collections, the rich literary and historical materials found in these collections make them invaluable to researchers and a distinguished part of the university.
Poetry Collection News
Poetry Collection news and events.