Guide to Nora B. Cunningham Papers
Collection Summary
Title: Nora B. Cunningham Papers Call Number: MS 79-3 Size: 0.25 linear feet Acquisition: Gift of May Williams Ward through her literary executor, Bruce Cutler, and of the Chanute Public Library to Wichita State University. Processed by: LWM, 8/1979; Reprocessed by SMC, 4/1998; Additional Materials Processed by LWM, 11/1979
Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.
The papers of Nora B. Cunningham include correspondence from Cunningham to May Williams Ward who was a contemporary poet and friend, a book of Cunningham's poems published by the Chanute Public Library, biographical information written by Cunningham and by two relatives, and miscellaneous newspaper clippings.
Nora Belle Cunningham was the daughter of Lewis Nelson Cunningham and Mary Peery Cunningham. Born in Humboldt, Kansas, July 23, 1887, Nora had two brothers and one sister. After attending various town and country schools in southeastern Kansas, Nora graduated from the eighth grade in Chanute, Kansas. She obtained a teaching certificate and taught grade school for a short time in the nearby communities of Coyville and Rollins.
Nora never married nor moved away from her parents' home in Chanute. Many years of her life were devoted to caring for an invalid mother, and later, a sister who became disabled by arthritis.
In 1920, Nora's first poem was published in Youth's Companion, launching her literary career which continued for the next 55 years. Her poems were published in magazines such as Commonweal, Lyric, The Harp, and Poetry as well as newspapers such as the New York Times and the Kansas City Star. Also, she reviewed books for International Book Review, Voices and several regional newspapers. For a short time (1927-1928) she assisted May Williams Ward in editing The Harp, a national poetry magazine published in Larned, Kansas.
Nora Cunningham died September 28, 1975 in Chanute, Kansas, and was buried in the family plot in Leanna Cemetery.
Not available.
| Box 1 | FF 1 | Biographical information (photocopies) |
| Box 1 | FF 2 | Book, Decades: Selections from the Poetry of Nora B. Cunnningham |
| Box 1 | FF 3 | Correspondence from Nora B. Cunningham to May Williams Ward |
| Box 1 | FF 4 | Photocopies of newspaper clippings |
| Box 1 | FF 5 | Poem, presumably handwritten by Nora B. Cunningham (photocopy) |