Charles Upton Papers

Collection

Identifier: 2003-0017

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection contains Upton's writings, poems and correspondence relating to his work.

Dates

Creation: undated, 1932-2002 (bulk, 1966-2002)
Creation: Majority of material found within 1966 - 2002

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Charles Upton was born in 1948 and grew up in Marin County, California. He attended Catholic schools through high school during which time he met Lew Welch who became his mentor and helped him publish two volumes of poetry: Panic Grass and Time Raid. Although he is much younger than most of the Beat poets, these two volumes qualify him for inclusion with the Beats. After the publication of his poems, Charles Upton became involved with the Sanctuary Movement for Central American refugees and New Age dream networking. In the late 1980s, he joined a traditional Sufi order and has since published books about Sufism comparative religion and metaphysics according to the Traditionalist School.

Extent

1.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Charles Upton was born on December 13, 1948 in San Francisco. He published two volumes of poetry at the age of 19, and despite his relative youth, has been considered a member of the Beat Poet generation ever since. Upton was also involved in peace activism, alternative spiritualities and later in traditionalist metaphysics.

Organization

Series I: Beat Poetry and the Beat Poets contains Upton's early poetry, including Panic Grass and Time Raid, as well as his correspondence with several prominent Beat poets.

Series II: Sanctuary Movement and New Age dream networking contains writings, poems and letters concerning Upton's involvement with the peace activism surrounding the Sanctuary Movement and the dream networking he briefly participated in.

Series III: Traditionalist metaphysics contains writings and research related to Upton's book The System of Antichrist and his upcoming poem The Wars of Love,the sequel to Panic Grass. Letters between Upton and Robert Bly about the Men's Movement and Upton's book Hammering Hot Iron are also included. The work in this series relates to the Traditionalist school of comparative religion and metaphysics which Upton has been connected to since his conversion to Sufism.

Series IV: Poems and Writings contains unpublished and incomplete poems and manuscripts, including Songs for the Changing Woman, collected poetry from 1966-1976. Also included are publications entitled Longhouse and San Francisco Quarterly, with Upton's poetry.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged topically.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased from the creator in 2003.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to literary materials, especially those associated with Black Mountain College, Charles Olson and the Beat Generation Poets. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Separated Material

The American Muslim. Volume two, number ten, April-June 1994 Dodd Periodicals

Crane, Ronald S., ed. A Collection of English Poems 1660-1800.

Friend's Review. Volume seven Issue four, Winter 1994 Dodd Periodicals

Fox, S. ed. "...where ring is what a bell does": an appreciation of Lew Welch.

Gnosis. Number twenty five, Fall 1992 Dodd Periodicals

Gnosis. Number twenty six, Winter 1993 Dodd Periodicals

Gnosis. Number twenty seven, Spring 1993 Dodd Periodicals

Gnosis. Number twenty eight, Summer 1993 Dodd Periodicals

New Dawn. Number sixty nine, November-December 2001 Dodd Periodicals

Sufi. Issue four, Winter 1989-1990 Dodd Periodicals

Sufi. Issue six, Summer 1990 Dodd Periodicals

Sufi. Issue twenty three, Autumn 1994 Dodd Periodicals

Sufi. Issue twenty four, Winter 1994-1995 Dodd Periodicals

Upton, Charles and Robert Starfire, eds.. Because You Talk. Dodd B6440

Upton, Charles. Doorkeeper of the Heart. (original poetry added)

Upton, Charles. Hammering Hot Iron. (original poetry added) Dodd B6441

Upton, Charles. Panic Grass. (original poetry added)

Upton, Charles. The System of Antichrist. (original poetry added) Dodd B6439

Upton, Charles. Time Raid. (original poetry added)