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William Meneely papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-Coll-38

Scope and Contents

The materials in the William Meneely papers include an obituary and memorial program as well as correspondence concerning the disposition of his personal effects; his high school, college, and graduate school diplomas; personal writings including poetry, a diary of his travels through Ireland, London, Paris, and the French countryside, and a commonplace book; a "Book of Memories" from his retirement from Georgia State University; photographs of Meneely, some of his friends, and his travels in Ireland; and a collection of his artwork in the form of collages with mostly gay male subject matter created using cut-out images from magazines.

Dates

  • 1970 - 2012

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may exist. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives of the William Way LGBT Community Center.

Biographical / Historical

William Ernest Meneely (1952-1996) was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the son of Arthur William Meneely and Grace Elouise Cook. He graduated from Mountain View School District, in Kingsley, Pennsylvania, in 1970. He attended Bucknell University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in classics in 1974. In 1976, he received a Master of Arts degree in classics from the University of Kentucky, and a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Meneely worked for 16 years at Georgia State University Library, where he was Head of Collection Development, retiring in 1992.

Meneely enjoyed playing celtic harp, needlepoint and crochet, reading and dancing. He was an avid traveler, a passionate gardener, wrote poetry and created artistic collages. He was active in Gay Men's Spirit Vision and volunteered for AIDS Survival Project as a peer counselor, the Men's Center and Actor's Express in Atlanta, GA. He was a member of Atlanta Friends Meeting.

William Meneely died in Haven House on March 3, 1996, survived by a brother and a sister. A memorial service was held for him at Atlanta Friends Meeting and his ashes were scattered among gardens in Atlanta, Georgia.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

William Ernest Meneely (1952-1996) was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the son of Arthur William Meneely and Grace Elouise Cook. He worked for 16 years at Georgia State University Library, where he was Head of Collection Development, retiring in 1992. Among the materials included in the collection are personal writings, photographs, and a collection of his artwork in the form of collages with mostly gay male subject matter created using cut-out images from magazines.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Carl Owens and John Burch through Dolph Ward Goldenburg, 2010

Related Materials

At John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center:

William Way LGBT Community Center permanent fine art collection.

Title
William Meneely papers, 1970-2012
Status
Completed
Author
John Anderies
Date
January 27, 2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center Repository

Contact:
1315 Spruce Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
215-732-2220