This collection relating to the literary career of African author Amos Tutuola (1920-1997) was compiled by Bernth Lindfors, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Texas at Austin. A longtime friend and advocate, Lindfors engaged in extensive correspondence on behalf of Tutuola's literary interests. In addition, he was instrumental in raising awareness of Tutuola's importance as a leading African writer, which led to the purchase of Tutuola's manuscripts for the Ransom Center collections in 1988.
The Lindfors Collection of Amos Tutuola contains a few tearsheets and photocopies of Tutuola's published works, analogous works, articles by Lindfors and others, book reviews, criticism, memorials, summaries and tributes, correspondence, certificates and awards, interviews, and photographs. The materials are arranged in three series: I. Works By and About Tutuola, 1947-1999, undated; II. Correspondence, 1951-2000; and III. Career-Related Material, 1958-1981, undated.
Tutuola's works in Series I. include a typescript of
Series II. Correspondence contains Lindfors's letters to and from publishers and colleagues, as well as a long run of Tutuola letters to Lindfors, 1968-1997. Publishers files include Faber & Faber, Donald Herdeck (at Three Continents Press), Andor Kraszna-Krausz (of Focal Press), Grove Press, and Lutterworth Press. Of note is a file of correspondence between Tutuola and Faber & Faber from 1951-1967. Lindfors was successful in obtaining photocopies of this correspondence to document important transactions in the publishing of
Series III. Career-Related Material includes photocopies of several of Tutuola's certificates and awards, interviews with Tutuola, and informal snapshots of family and friends. Also present is a program for a performance at Indiana University of an opera by Kola Ogunmola based on
Related Materials at the Harry Ransom Center are located in the Amos Tutuola Collection, the Christopher Okigbo Papers, the Robert M. Wren Collection, the Charles R. Larson Papers, the Transcription Centre Collection, and the Commonwealth Arts Festival Records.
Gifts, 2005-2019 (05-06-013-G, 06-11-005-G, 19-08-008-G)
Open for research
Liz Murray, 2005; Christine Bethke, 2020
A small number of books by and about Tutuola and three cassette tapes received with the manuscripts were transferred to appropriate departments within the Ransom Center.