Scope and Contents note
The Emma Gelders Sterne Papers constitutes her literary manuscripts in various drafts; secondarily it includes research notes, correspondence, speeches, publicity materials, plays, and poems, reflecting Sterne's literary work and interests in civil rights and women's rights. The collection retains its arrangement as it was received from Sterne, with literary manuscripts, subject files, and correspondence interspersed throughout the collection.
Dates
- 1928-1971
Creator
- Sterne, Emma Gelders, 1894-1971 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
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 note
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 note
Emma Gelders Sterne (May 13, 1894-August 29, 1971), born in Birmingham, Alabama, was primarily a writer of juvenile literature, though she was involved in a number if different activities. For example, at an early age Sterne became involved in the American Suffrage Movement, and in cooperation with a newly established juvenile court, she started a school for delinquent children in 1917.
Sterne began her writing career by serving on the editorial staff literacy magazines in high school and while attending Smith College. She attended Columbia University Graduate School taking courses in English and philosophy. She sold her first story in 1923 while living in Pelham, New York. She continued to write children's books, gardened extensively, and pursued her interest in civil reform. After serving as editor of the Aladdin Books of American heritage Series, Sterne moved to California where she continued to write, often in collaboration with her daughter, Barbara Lindsay. The Kathy Martin series was written under the pseudonym "Josephine James."
Extent
10.5 linear feet (7 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Emma Gelders Sterne (1894-1971) was primarily a writer of juvenile literature. The Sterne collection consists of manuscripts and supporting materials for eleven books, two plays, two speeches, and correspondence.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of Emma Gelders Sterne in 1968.
Processing Information note
Collection processed by processing staff, May 2005.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Children and Youth Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Children's literature, American -- Authorship Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Civil Rights Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Civil rights workers -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Literature Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Publishers and Publishing Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Publishers and publishing -- Correspondence Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Sterne, Emma Gelders, 1894-1971
- Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (U.S.)
- Suffragists -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Women authors, American -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young adult literature, American -- Authorship Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Emma Gelders Sterne Papers
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by processing staff
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
