Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Ralph Dyar papers , 1907-1955
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Dyar, Ralph E.
- Title
- Ralph Dyar papers
- Dates
- 1907-1955 (inclusive)19071955
- Quantity
- 4.5 linear feet, (3 containers) : 3 record storage boxes
- Collection Number
- Ax 255
- Summary
- 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.
- Repository
-
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu - Access Restrictions
-
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.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.
See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Historical NoteReturn to Top
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.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
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.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the Ralph Dyar Papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- American drama--20th century
- American newspapers--Washington (State)--Spokane
- Authors and publishers--Correspondence
- Authors, American--20th century
- Children's literature, American--Authorship
- Dramatists, American--20th century
- Playwriting
Personal Names
- Dyar, Ralph E.
Corporate Names
- Spokesman-review
Form or Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts for publication
- Screenplays
University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team and Tanya Parlet.
2012
