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Ralph Dyar papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Ax 255

Scope and Contents

The collection contains literary manuscripts, correspondence, and the working files for the book, News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, and of the Field it Serves.

The manuscript series is divided into seven sections: plays, promotional scripts, motion pictures, short stories and articles, books, addresses and lectures, and miscellaneous manuscripts. The material in each section is mostly organized alphabetically. Most sections contain related correspondence, drafts and revised versions, reviews, and research files. The working files for "News for an Empire" can be found under the Book section. Miscellaneous manuscripts include notebooks (1910-1912), idea, and research notes.

The correspondence series mainly consists of professional letters dealing with publishing matters and the production of Dyars plays, and is organized chronologically, 1907-1955. There is a small group of personal correspondence between Dyar and his daughter Joan (1939; 1952-1955).

Also available in the collection are clippings and reviews about Dyar's work, play programs, scrapbooks about play writing and comics, and biographical material.

The July 1967 Addenda contains play and motion picture manuscripts, short stories and articles, addresses, correspondence, additional materials and correspondence regarding "News for an Empire," notebooks and other miscellaneous manuscripts.

Dates

  • 1907-1955

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

Ralph E. Dyar (1885-1955) was born in Dover, Minnesota on January 4, 1885. He was educated at the University of Minnesota where he received his B.A. in 1907. He became a writer and playwright and was first published in the early Life Magazine. Dyar's most successful play was A Voice in the Dark. It was produced in New York, Boston, and Chicago during 191921, and was turned into a motion picture by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1921.

Dyar's later plays were published as one-act productions and were produced by many local theatres. He also wrote children's books and wrote for the Spokesman Review newspaper. Dyar later wrote a history of that newspaper titled, News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, and of the Field it Serves. Dyar married Elsie J. Kiesling and had four children. Ralph E. Dyar died on December 20, 1955.

Extent

4.5 linear feet (3 containers) : 3 record storage boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Ralph E. Dyar (1885-1955) was an author and playwright who also worked for and wrote about newspapers and newspaper promotion and research. The collection contains literary manuscripts, correspondence, and the working files for the book, News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, and of the Field it Serves.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into the following series: Plays, Promotional Scripts, Motion Pictures, Short Stories and Articles, Books, Addresses and Lectures, Miscellaneous Manuscripts, Correspondence, Miscellaneous, Publications, and a 1967 Addenda.

Other Finding Aids

Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Mrs. Dyar in 1966.

Processing Information

Collection processed by staff, 1967.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Title
Guide to the Ralph Dyar Papers
Status
Complete Description
Author
University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team and Tanya Parlet.
Date
2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299 USA