The Brevoort Hotel

Fifth Ave and 8th St.

October 6th, 1941

Dear Mr. Wilson:

For a long time I have respected and admired your work.
I don't know if you have happened to come across my books—
"The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" and "Reflections in a Golden Eye".

The point is that I am applying for a Guggenheim Fellowship; if you have read any of my work and if it is convenient for you I should be most grateful if you would sponsor me for this application.

Of course I realize that you are very busy, and that very likely you have not read my work. In that case I will perfectly understand. The applications, with the names of the sponsors, are supposed to be in by the fourteenth of this month—I am very late in starting this business. But if you feel willing to sponsor me please send me a card. Thanks very much.