Interview with John Birkett, December 5, 1992

Project: Kentucky Writers Oral History Project

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Interview Summary

Birkett discusses his family history, as well as his family's alcoholism. Birkett talks of his upcoming novel called "Dupree's Blues," his Catholic educational background, military service in the Vietnam War, and his
marriages to Elizabeth Miller and Betty Layman Receveur. The interviewee's Louisville experiences, institutional support for writers in Kentucky, the Thinker Review, and writing and publishing career are examined. Subsequently, Birkett's comedy writing, participation in the Louisville Writers' Club and his novel series "The Last Private Eye" are explored. Birkett's writing of detective novels, writing habits, and screenplays are highlighted. Following this, the nature of creativity, as well as influential writers upon Birkett are considered. Lastly, the interviewee talks of his future work and writing projects.

Interview Accession

1993oh070_kw053

Interviewee Name

John Birkett

Interviewer Name

L. Elisabeth Beattie

Interview Date

1992-12-05

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.

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Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

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Birkett, John Interview by L. Elisabeth Beattie. 05 Dec. 1992. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Birkett, J. (1992, December 05). Interview by L. E. Beattie. Kentucky Writers Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Birkett, John, interview by L. Elisabeth Beattie. December 05, 1992, Kentucky Writers Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt74qr4nnw03