Collection

Rodwell, Craig Papers

Span Dates: 1940-1993
Bulk Dates: bulk 1962-1993
Volume: 7 linear feet (21 boxes)

Description

This collection consists of correspondence, photographs, printed matter, artifacts, and other items documenting Rodwell's work as an activist and proprietor of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop. Correspondence is mainly incoming letters from friends and colleagues, and writings, ca. early 1970s, are on gay-related topics. Rodwell's files contain clippings, flyers, correspondence and other materials all pertaining to aspects of gay and lesbian politics and culture. Other papers include printed matter, Martin Duberman's interview with Rodwell, and materials from Rodwell's childhood and youth. Also, photographs and slides; artifacts such as political buttons, banner, T-shirts, and puzzle; and two sound recordings. (Sixteen commercial sound recordings were transferred to the International Gay Information Center Archives.).

Hist/Bio Note

Craig Rodwell (1940-1993) was an American gay rights activist. He was active in the Mattachine Society in New York City and in 1967 founded the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, the first bookstore devoted to serious writing by gay authors. A participant in the Stonewall riots in 1969, Rodwell figured prominently in the gay liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s.
https://www.lgbtran.org/Profile.aspx?ID=414

Finding Aid

A finding aid is available online.
https://archives.nypl.org/mss/2606

Location

The collection is located at the New York Public Library Archives & Manuscripts Division.
https://www.nypl.org/about/divisions/manuscripts-division

Tags

Christian Science (officially Church of Christ, Scientist) | Rodwell, Craig | Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) | Mattachine Society | North American Conference of Homophile Organizations | Gay Liberation Movement | Stonewall Riots (NYC) | New York | New York City | Activist (religious institutions)