David M. Lindahl papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: Coll2006-006

Staff Only

Scope and Content of Collection

Lindahl's personal journals form the bulk of the collection. The journals are composed of traditional entries, interspersed with drafts of poetry and correspondence. Other materials include plays, poetry, prose, and reviews of the writings of others, in various stages of development. The materials are arranged by genre: journals, performance pieces, plays, poetry anthologies and poetry drafts, prose, and reviews. The journals are arranged chronologically by the first dated entry; however, they do not run consecutively, and there is some overlap between various volumes. The other materials within each genre category are arranged alphabetically by final title, when known. Stage directions, works, flyers, and reviews document his performance pieces. Lindahl re-worked pieces over time, and early drafts of some his pieces can be found in the "Homework" folders, which also contain Lindahl's schoolwork, primarily from his high school and college writing classes. The arrangement of the untitled works reflects the order in which they were found.

Dates

Creation: 1971-1994 (bulk 1980-1989)
Creation: Majority of material found within 1980 - 1989

Creator

Lindahl, David M. (David Mark) (Person)

Access

The collection is open to researchers when ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives is open, and at other times by appointment. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

Biography

David M. Lindahl was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on February 15, 1957, and was raised in Ledyard, Connecticut. He earned a B.A. in Landscape Architecture in 1979 from the University of West Virginia, where he also pursued an interest in writing. He then moved to Minneapolis, where he continued his literary pursuits, frequenting the Loft writing center and joining the Writers Support Group for Men. When The James White Review (TJWR) was founded in 1983, members of the Support Group formed the core of original contributors, and the first issue, published in October 1983, included poetry and graphics by Lindahl. He served as an editor of TJWR from 1985-1989, and toured to promote the TJWR and poetry. He also contributed prose, poetry, and graphics to Streamlines, Evergreen Chronicles, Hungry Mind Review, and Equal Time. As a performance artist, Lindahl wrote and performed his own works, including benefits for various community AIDS organizations. Additionally, he served on the staff of the Minnesota AIDS Interfaith Council and was a co-founder the Radical Faerie HIV Action Group. Lindahl died on August 26, 1994, in Minneapolis.

Sources:

Lindahl, David. Voices Over the River: Poems and Illustrations. Minneapolis, Minn.: Daisy Publications, 1993.

Willkie, Phil. "From the Publisher," James White Review, 11 no. 5 (Fall 1994): 2.

Weaver, Read. "Some of a Kind: Publications of Special Interest: Gay Publications." Utne Reader , July/August 1987, 115.

Extent

5.2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Journals, performance pieces, poetry, prose, and plays, primarily 1980-1989, relating to the life, literary and artistic careers of David M. Lindahl (1957-1994), author, AIDS activist, graphic and performance artist, and assistant editor of The James White Review.

Custodial History

Upon Lindahl's death in 1994, his papers, together with those of Tom Young, which he had inherited upon the latter's death in 1989, passed to Philip H. Willkie.

Acquisition Information

Gift, together with the James L. White Papers, James White Review Association Records, and the Tom Young Papers, of Philip H. Willkie, March 21, 2004.

Related Material

James L. White Papers, Coll2006-003, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

James White Review Association Records, Coll2006-004, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Tom Young Papers, Coll2006-005, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira, November 09, 2006.

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.