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Richard Leck Papers

Call Number

MSS.243

Dates

1994-2008, inclusive
; 2007-2008, bulk

Creator

Leck, Richard, 1933-2008
Griffin, Ethel (Role: Donor)

Extent

0.50 Linear Feet in 1 manuscript box

Language of Materials

Materials are primarily in Egnlish.

Abstract

Richard Leck (1933-2008), a poet and Army veteran, attended journalism school at New York University from 1953-1955. He was a well-known habitant of the East Village and a regular in the Greenwich Village coffeehouse scene in the 1960s. Leck was known for working odd jobs, preferring the low-key lifestyle, and began writing poetry later in life. His first chapbook, "Memory Hair," was published in 2008. This collection reflects his writing during the decade before his death between 1994 and 2008. Materials include typed and hand-written poems, and chapbooks.

Biographical / Historical

Richard Leck (1933-2008) was a poet and Army veteran. He was born in Weehawken, New Jersey and attended journalism school at New York University from 1953-1955. He worked at the New Jersey Observer and was a regular in the Greenwich Village coffeehouse scene in the 1960s where he frequented Cafe Figaro, The Limelight, The Commons, and Cafe Feenjon. Leck mingled with creative types including Yoko Ono, Shel Silverstein, Taylor Mead, John Nebel, Darren McGavin, and Yukiko Katsura. Known for working odd jobs and preferring the low-key lifestyle, Leck was a creative person who also dabbled in art and acting. After a few stretches of homelessness, he moved into the S.R.O. at the Sirovich Senior Center in the East Village in 1993. Leck began writing poetry later in life, publishing his first chapbook in 2008. At the time of his death, Leck was working on his memoirs, "Jumped, Fell, or Was Pushed," with the publisher of his poems, Karen Lillis.

Arrangement

The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of typed and hand-written poems, and chapbooks.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by Richard Leck, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date; Richard Leck Papers; MSS 243; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.

Location of Materials

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact fales.library@nyu.edu at least two business days prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Ethel J. Griffin, Public Administrator of New York County, in 2009. The accession number associated with this gift is 2009.243.

Collection processed by

Jennifer E. Neal

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 17:02:12 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Description is in English

Processing Information

Materials were placed in new acid-free folders.

Repository

Fales Library and Special Collections
Fales Library and Special Collections
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012