Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC) has acquired the personal and literary papers of James Nolan (1947–2025). A fifth-generation New Orleanian, Nolan was a central figure in the city’s literary renaissance, leaving behind a legacy as a poet, novelist, translator, and a fixture of New Orleans’ intellectual life. 

The acquisition marks a notable addition to TUSC’s already significant literary archives. By bringing Nolan’s manuscripts, correspondence, and research into the fold, TUSC strengthens its already deep holdings of New Orleans writers—a lineage that includes Roark Bradford, Harnett Kane, Lyle Saxon, Frances Parkinson Keyes, and poet and essayist Catharine Brosman, among many others. 

Nolan occupied a rare position in the city; he was a stalwart of the local writing community and widely regarded as a generous mentor and friend. Deeply embedded in the New Orleans scene, he served as a natural bridge between generations of creators. His commitment to the local academic community was equally profound, having served as a writer-in-residence at both Tulane and Loyola Universities. He was a familiar, welcoming presence at readings and workshops, respected not only for his uncompromising craft but for the genuine encouragement he offered to fellow writers across the city. 

Nolan’s career was defined by this rare balance of local devotion and international perspective. Though his work remained anchored in the "nasty water" of New Orleans, he lived and taught in San Francisco, Barcelona, Madrid, and Beijing. His contributions as a translator of Spanish masters like Pablo Neruda further highlight the cosmopolitan nature of the New Orleans literary scene he inhabited. 

The collection provides a comprehensive look at Nolan’s creative evolution. It features original drafts of his Faulkner-Wisdom Gold Medal-winning novel, Higher Ground, and his acclaimed short story collections. It also includes the research and manuscripts for his 2017 memoir, Flight Risk, and his final 2024 work, Between Dying and Not Dying, I Chose the Guitar, which documented the city's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"James Nolan was more than just a writer; he was a chronicler of the New Orleans soul," says Leon Miller, Curator of TUSC’s Louisiana Research Collection. "By housing his papers within Tulane University Special Collections, we ensure that his sharp wit and deep love for his home remain available to researchers."