A recent processing project at North Carolina State University Libraries’ Special Collections and Research Center is the Rynn Berry, Jr. Papers, an eclectic and fascinating collection. The Berry Papers contain materials related to the prolific author and activist for vegetarians, veganism, and animal rights.
Rynn Berry, Jr. wrote many books and articles, and conducted many interviews, primarily focusing on the history and ethics of vegetarianism and veganism, as well as contemporary issues of the movement and profiles of notable vegetarians and vegans. Much of the Berry Papers contain books, magazines, articles, and research material, some which is Berry’s own, and all is relevant to his areas of interest.
While going through and arranging the collection, there is much to be engrossed in, especially in the way it reflects the procedure Berry used in researching, writing, and publishing his books and other writings.
Here is a research journal with the transcript of an interview by Berry with soy food specialists William Shurtleff and Akiko Aoyagi for his book Famous Vegetarians and Their Favorite Recipes. Also in the photo is a copy of an illustration of Shurtleff and Aoyagi with the “final draft” for their profile in the book. The portrait is by Glory Brightfield, the book's illustrator.
A printed draft of the same book, with hand-written edits and notes.
These are more of Glory Brightfield’s portrait art for the book, a print of Gandhi, and a negative for George Harrison.
The unbound proof pages for Famous Vegetarians and Their Favorite Recipes, which are the final sample prints of a book before it goes to printing. The book contains profiles of vegetarians and recipes, either provided by the subject or ones prevalent during the time they lived. Profiles include Leonardo da Vinci, George Bernard Shaw, and Paul and Linda McCartney.
An article by Berry, “Tofu Comes West: The Spread of Vegetarianism from Asia’s Religions,” from an issue of the magazine Vegetarian Voice. Berry’s writings often examined how international religions and philosophies influenced vegetarianism.
A spiral bound notebook, containing Berry’s copious research notes. Yes, that is ancient Greek, with Berry’s own translations.
Berry also wrote several one-act plays on the lives of famous vegetarians from history.
As you can see from only these items, the Rynn Berry Papers hold materials reflecting in-depth examinations of ethics in vegetarianism and ethics, as well as the man who produced and collected them. The Berry Papers are currently in the middle of being processed, and the Special Collections and Research Center will post an update when its collection guide is completed and online. You can also find similar materials in our Animal Rights and Welfare collecting area.
To discover more information on Special Collections’ archival collections, please visit our Collections Guides to see descriptions of the collections, and you can make a request to view materials.