University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Prairie Schooner 75th Anniversary Celebration
A  B r i e f  H i s t o r y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In 1926, within the English Department of the University of Nebraska, a group of students and a single faculty member created the Wordsmith Chapter of Sigma Upsilon, a national honorary literary society. Lowry Wimberly, the faculty representative for the group, held a meeting of "Wimberly's Boys" in his home every Sunday. The group sought a means to publish their work. Wimberly carried the concept forward into the Prairie Schooner, a literary magazine of poetry, short stories, and essays. In 2001 the Prairie Schooner celebrated 75 years of continuous publication. The Schooner is the oldest literary magazine to remain in publication in the Midwest region and maintains an international reputation for publishing high quality and diverse work.

 
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Those in the Wordsmith Chapter sought to create a publication for new or experienced authors and to change the view of the Midwest as a "literary wasteland." The quarterly "has also gone a long way toward giving an accurate picture of middle west and its literary capabilites to the often skeptical Americans of other regions." (Heine, Omaha World Herald, 24 June 1951)

Lowry Wimberly and associate editor Frederick Christensen worked together on manuscripts sent for publication in the Schooner. (1945)

Lowry Wimberly and associate editor Frederick Christensen

Wimberly headed the Schooner as chairman of the board of editors and received assistance from a student board of editors. He was responsible for the major activities of publishing the magazine, including gathering financial backing, promotion, layout for publication, subscriptions, and delivery. He also wrote an editorial column he titled the "Ox Cart." His efforts, along with assistant editors, students, and contributors allowed the Schooner to become a significant literary quarterly and to gain a strong international reputation.

The Prairie Schooner has a long history of pre-eminent contributors. Mari Sandoz produced the first short story for the first issue. Other authors include Jessamyn West, William March, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, Eudora Welty, along with Nebraskans Bess Streeter Aldrich, John Neihardt, Louise Pound, and Bernice Slote. Hundred of individuals have contributed their best work over the 75 years of publication, all for the prestige of being printed in the Schooner, a magazine that does not pay for submitted work.

 

Madge Reinhardt, Margaret Selly, Emily Schossberger, Margaret
              Turner, and Margaret Cobb
Prairie Schooner
staff, Madge Reinhardt, Margaret Selly, Emily Schossberger, Margaret Turner, and Margaret Cobb, stuffed envelopes for subscriptions. (1946)

After Lowry Wimberly's retirement in 1956, poet Karl Shapiro took over the position of editor. He resigned from the position within seven years when he refused to accept censure of his editorial decisions by the University administration. Bernice Slote, professor and Cather scholar, became the third editor of the Schooner. In the first issue she produced as editor, Slote published an article by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

Karl Shapiro and Bernice Slote, and James Melnar
Prairie Schooner editors Karl Shapiro, Bernice Slote, with colleague James Melnar. (circa 1960)

Emily Schossberger
University editor, Emily Schossberger,
worked closely on the publication of the
Prairie Schooner
. (1945)

In an undated letter she explained that "One of the nicest things about my position, however, is that is brings me into constant touch with authors."

 

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Hugh Luke served as editor of the quarterly for a short duration and continued the tradition of producing a high quality publication. The current editor-in-chief of the Prairie Schooner is Hilda Raz, who started her tenure as editor in 1987. Raz has assisted in expanding the material covered in the Schooner while still maintaining a strong sense of regional roots.


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Resources:
Cornhusker Annual, 1937-1941, 1946.
Haggie, Helen. "'That man Wimberly' remembered as Prairie Schooner Turns 50," Lincoln Journal and Star, July 10, 1977.
Heine, Emily. "Ripe Old Age of 25," Omaha World-Herald Magazine, June 24, 1951.
"Luke is Named Editor of Prairie Schooner" Lincoln Journal, July 31, 1980.
Madison, Rosemay. "Bernice Slote and the Life of the Scholar," Sun Center Section, June 10, 1965.
"Prairie Schooner Rolls On," Lincoln Journal and Star, December 6, 1942.
Sandoz, Mari to Friends of the Prairie Schooner. March 1, 1965. Mari Sandoz Collection.
Stewart, Paul. The Prairie Schooner Story; a Little Magazine's First 25 Years, [Lincoln] University of Nebraska Press [c1955].
Wayman, Mary Kay. "Gardening Inspires Literary Editor, Poet," Sunday Journal-Star, June 12, 1988.
"Wimberly Bows Out; Shapiro Takes Over as "Schooner" Editor. Lincoln Evening Journal and Nebraska State Journal, September 12, 1956.

If you have questions about this exhibit, please contact the Archives and Special Collections


This page was last updated February 23, 2012.