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Walter H. Smith donated this collection of Beat Literature. The majority relates to the career and life of Allen Ginsberg, a founding member of the Beat Generation. Other writers represented include Anne Waldman, Diane di Prima, and Anselm Hollo. Accessions (2009-0113) and (2009-0130) (200 items; 3.5 lin. ft.; dated 1959-2003) include books, compilations, journals, magazines, and other publications with works by and about Allen Ginsberg. Also included are posters and broadsides advertising events, readings, or publications by Ginsberg; many of these are signed. Accession (2010-0098) (25 items; 0.6 lin. ft.; dated 1950-2009) includes writings and some correspondence from Diane di Prima, Anselm Hollo, and Anne Waldman; also includes some Allen Ginsberg materials. Accession (2011-0045) (27 items; 1.5 lin. ft.; dated 1963-2007) includes pamphlets and publications by Gary Snyder.

Attorney and judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore, 1911-1934. Collection includes 10 manuscript diaries, with handwritten entries as well as inserted clippings and ephemeral items, dating from the years 1902, 1903, 1905, 1920-1922, 1926, 1929, 1930, and 1932.

Walter J. Taylor (1934-2002) was a Black man from California who was incarcerated multiple times from the 1950s through the 1970s, including a period at San Quentin and Folsom prisons (1968-1973). During this latter period in jail, Taylor founded the Sisters of Motivation and the Community Concern for Prisoners organizations to help Black Americans convicted of crimes. Collection consists largely of materials from Taylor's time in prison and later as a community activist in Berkeley, California. Most of the materials comprise Taylor's incoming correspondence during his incarcerations in the 1950s through the 1970s, which includes letters from a variety of people, especially women participating as pen pals in the Sisters of Motivation organization. Other frequent writers are Taylor's wives, girlfriends, family members, and community organizations that he had contacted regarding his imprisonment and the general condition of Black men in prison. Other materials include personal items documenting Taylor's life, as well as writings and creative works by Taylor. Acquired as part of the Human Rights Archive at Duke University.