Foote's The Civil War Trilogy
Shelby Foote, Jr. is best known for writing the Civil War: A Narrative which was published in three volumes. The volumes, finished in 1958, 1963 and 1974, comprise a massive 1.2 million word work which was researched and written in Memphis. The Foote Collection in the Rhodes College Archives contains original drafts, hand-drawn maps, notes, photos and other material Foote used in writing the trilogy.
Some examples are displayed in this exhibit.
Foote's three volume Civil War trilogy collection.
Foote's outline of the battles and events of the Civil War
One of Foote's hand drawn map of the Battle of Petersburg.
Cover for the final manuscript pages of volume 2 and 3 of the trilogy.
Last page of volume two of the Civil War finished at 10:10 am on August 30, 1963. It is signed as a momento for his wife, Gwyn.
Cover for the PBS video of the documentary.
Letter from an editor at Random House informing Foote that the trilogy was going multiple printings. The small holes are from where it was pinned to his bulletin board.
The bulletin board at the desk where Foote wrote the trilogy.
This empty bottle of 1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild wine made into a lamp.
A personal note on the label in Foote's distinct handwriting states, "Finished Book May Day 1974 Drank wine 10 May 1974"
This picture of the wine bottle lamp as it appeared in Foote's home was taken by Carol McCarley when she was creating the inventory of the collection.
A personal note on the wine bottle lamp label has a notation in Foote's distinct handwriting and states, "Finished Book May Day 1974 Drank wine 10 May 1974"
This letter from Ken Burns thanking Foote for being the inspiration for the Civil War documentary was pinned to his bulletin board. It shows the pin holes where other items were pinned over it.
From Foote's diary entry for March 28, 1987:
"Ken and Ric Burns with soundman Charles + cameraman Buddy, arriced at 8:30; set up equipment in the sitting room duplicating the scene of last year (including the same shirt) + except for a barbecue lunch break at 1 oclock, shot questions at for better than 8 hours-all exhausing business for everyone concerned." + except for a barbecue lunch break at 1 oclock, shot questions at me for better than 8 hours—all exhausting business for everyone concerned."