Historical Manuscripts Collection List » K to N Collection List »
MARGARET G. MIELKE (1912-1980). Papers; n.d., 1942-1980. 5.5 cu. ft. Inventory.
Margaret Alyce Gustafson was born in 1912 in Minnesota. She attended college and later in Montana where she began writing poetry. Her poetry was published in newspapers and in two books (1934 and 1938). She married John C. Mielke in 1937 in North Dakota. They had six children. Margaret G. Mielke continued writing poetry after moving to Alaska in 1940. It was published in newspapers, national magazines, and anthologies. She edited and compiled anthologies including the Anthology of Contemporary Alaskan Poetry and was poetry editor for the Anchorage Times. She was active in the formation of the Poetry Society of Alaska and the League of Alaska Writers. In 1963, Margaret Mielke was chosen as the first Poet Laureate for Alaska. She was respected by other poets for her knowledge of poetry structure; her poetry inspired and encouraged many writers. Margaret G. Mielke died in 1980 in Anchorage.
The collection contains papers relating to Margaret Mielke's work as an author and a poet. Included are correspondence on the formation of the Poetry Society of Alaska and the League of Western Writers; correspondence with family, friends, and poets; personal papers; speeches; drafts of her poetry and records of various literary activities; recordings of her poetry; poems and books by other authors; newspaper clippings; photographs; and a scrapbook of book reviews.
Some of the papers were presented to the archives by Margaret G. Mielke in 1980. Most of the papers were presented to the archives by John Mielke in 1985. A deed of gift was signed by John Mielke in 1985. Copyright and publication rights to all works of poetry by Margaret Mielke are retained by the donor and his heirs for the duration of the copyright. No works of poetry in this collection may be published without the written consent of the donor or his agent.
HMC-0176