Oral history interview with Alfred Powers
- SR 9368
- Collection
- 1980-02-22 - 1980-03-07
This oral history interview with Alfred Powers was conducted at Powers' home in Portland, Oregon, by Linda S. Dodds from February 22 to March 7, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody. The interview was conducted in three sessions. Molly Powers was also present during the interview.
In the first interview session, conducted on February 22, 1980, Powers discusses his college education at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Oregon, particularly his experiences studying Greek and English. He briefly outlines his career as a high school teacher, and as a University of Oregon professor and dean of the extension division. He speaks about serving as director of the Federal Writers Project in Oregon, and talks about writers he worked with. He discusses his affiliation with the Oregon Historical Society and speaks at length about his work as editor of the Oregon Historical Quarterly.
In the second interview session, conducted on February 28, 1980, Powers speaks further about authors he worked with while director of the Federal Writers Project in Oregon. He speaks about writing the book "History of Oregon Literature," and about working as an editor with the publisher Binford & Mort. He speaks about people he worked with at the University of Oregon, particularly University President Prince Lucien Campbell.
In the third and final interview session, conducted on March 7, 1980, Powers speaks at length about Oregon authors with whom he was acquainted. He also talks about writing a column for the Oregon Journal newspaper. He discusses his interest in book collecting and talks about his personal library. He closes the interview by talking about how the writing style of Oregon authors changed over the 20th century.
Powers, Alfred