Collection

Abbott, Franklin Papers

Span Dates: 1907-1910, 1933, 1942, 1950-2014
Bulk Dates: 1960-2010
Volume: 31.06 Linear Feet (in 74 boxes)

Description

The Franklin Abbott papers include correspondence, writings and poetry, printed material, photographs, audio-visual recordings, and sound recordings. Primarily consisting of correspondence, the papers relate to Abbott's friendships and family, his creative works and his relationships with other artists, his exploration of spirituality, leadership in the Atlanta gay community, work as a psychotherapist, and activism. The papers are organized in 7 series: I. Correspondence, 1907-1910, 1951-1952, 1969-2014, undated [bulk, 1970-2012]; II. Writings and Publishing, 1968-1972, 1980-2011; III. Gay Community, 1978-2014; IV. Psychotherapy, 1973-2008; V. Personal, 1950-2014; VI. Events, 1961-1962, 1984-2014; VII. Publications, 1933, 1942, 1950-1956, 1962-1998, 2007-2014; VIII. Separated Materials.

Hist/Bio Note

Franklin Abbott is a psychotherapist, writer, poet, artist, and gay activist. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1950, Abbott earned an undergraduate degree at Mercer University and his Master of Social Work at the University of Georgia. Since 1979, he has practiced psychotherapy in Atlanta. Abbott was an original member of the Radical Faeries and has explored numerous aspects of spirituality. He has facilitated many self-help and healing workshops on gay identity and other issues. A leading organizer in the Atlanta gay community, he co-founded the Atlanta Circle of Healing and established the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. Abbott has corresponded with gay men, poets, and radicals from all over the world including Harry Hay, James Broughton, and Assotto Saint, and was a pioneer in the pro-feminist men's movement. The author of two books of poetry, Mortal Love: Selected Poems, 1971-1998 and Pink Zinnia (2009), he also edited three anthologies on men and gender: New Men, New Minds: Breaking Male Tradition (1987), Men and Intimacy: Personal Accounts of the Dilemmas of Modern Male Sexuality (1990), and Boyhood: Growing up Male (1993).

Finding Aid

An online finding aid is available. It lists collection materials that are available digitally.
https://archivesspace.library.gsu.edu/repositories/2/resources/1492

Location

This collection is housed at the Special Collections Library at Georgia State University. 100 Decatur St., S.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303
https://library.gsu.edu/special-collections/

Tags

Author/editor | Radical Faeries | Atlanta | Georgia | Neo-Pagan/New Age Movements/Occultism/Spirituality