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
- Dyar, Ralph E. (Person)
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.
- American drama -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- American newspapers -- Washington (State) -- Spokane Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Authors and publishers -- Correspondence Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Authors, American -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature, American -- Authorship Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Dramatists, American -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Dyar, Ralph E.
- Journalism Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Manuscripts for publication Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Playwriting Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Screenplays Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Spokesman-review book
- 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
