Oral history interview with Don G. Berry

Collection

Identifier: SR 9414

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Don G. Berry was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Berry’s home on Vashon Island, Washington, on February 11, 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.

In this interview, Berry discusses and plays Zimbabwean music on an mbira, also known as a thumb piano. He speaks about his spirituality and shares thoughts on Eastern philosophies. He also discusses his experiences at Reed College from 1949 to 1951. He speaks about writing historical novels, as well as the reasons why he stopped writing fiction. He discusses writing as an art form, and talks about his other work as an artist, including film and bronze sculpture. He talks about the benefits and drawbacks of life in individualistic and communal societies; shares his thoughts about the future of computers, particularly for use in writing and music; and speaks at length about his feminism and support for the women’s movement. He closes the interview by talking about how he developed his interests.

Dates

1980 February 11

Creator

Berry, Don (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Biographical note

Donald “Don” George Berry was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, in 1932. His parents separated a short time later, and in the 1940s he moved to Vanport, Oregon, with his mother. From 1949 to 1951, he studied mathematics at Reed College. In 1957, he and Winifrid “Wyn” Shirley Buie were married; they raised three children together, and later divorced in 1987. He was an author, artist, and early adopter of the Internet. He died in 2001.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (2 audiocassettes (1 hr., 49 min., 44 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Don G. Berry conducted by Linda S. Dodds on February 11, 1980. Berry was a bronze sculptor and author of historical novels.