Barbara Corcoran papers, 1928-2000

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Corcoran, Barbara, 1911-2003
Title
Barbara Corcoran papers
Dates
1928-2000 (inclusive)
Quantity
8.2 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 856
Summary
Barbara Corcoran was a popular children's writer who lived in Missoula, Montana until her death in 2003. Corcoran often chose Montana as a setting for her novels including A Horse Named Skyand My Wolf, My Friend. This collection contains correspondence, photographs, manuscripts, and biographical materials relating to Corcoran's life and work.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Barbara Asenath Corcoran was born on April 12, 1911 in Hamilton, Massachusetts. She was the only child of John and Annah Corcoran. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1933 and received a Master of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1955. Following her graduation from Wellesley, she worked for the Federal Writer's Project and then the Navy during World War II. She also worked in advertising, for various theaters, as a playwright, in the story department at CBS television and for a celebrity news service in Hollywood, California. She also taught English at various institutions in Colorado, Kentucky, and California.

Throughout her career, Corcoran wrote articles and short stories, publishing them in newspapers and magazines. Her first children's novel, Sam was published in 1967. She left teaching to write full-time in 1969. A prolific author, she also published under the pseudonyms Gail Hamilton and Paige Dixon. Corcoran became known as a children's and young adult writer, publishing over 70 novels and earning both the William Allen White Award and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award. She moved back to Missoula, Montana in the early 1970s where she lived and worked until her death on November 9, 2003.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains correspondence, reviews of Corcoran's books, biographical/autobiographical materials and financial records. The major part of the collection is typed manuscripts and galley proofs of some of her many books. The collection also contains a published work she did with Bradford Angier and a book manuscript written by Bradford Angier. There are also photographs of Corcoran, her friends, and her family.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright of unpublished materials transferred to the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Barbara Corcoran Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection has been divided into four series:

Series I: Correspondence, 1941-2000, 0.2 linear feet

Series II: Personal, 1937-1989, 1.0 linear feet

Series III: Writings, 1928-1998, 6.8 linear feet

Series IV: Photographs, circa 1940-1980, 0.2 linear feet

Custodial History

This collection was donated to Archives and Special Collections by the creator, Barbara Corcoran, in several accessions in 1974, 1976, and 1993. Following Corcoran's death, Jeanne Dixon, the executor of the estate, donated two additional accessions in 2004 and 2007.

Future Additions

There are no expected additions to this collection.

Processing Note

The collection was organized by the processor into series. Acid clippings were photocopied. Writings and correspondence were arranged chronologically when dates were known.

Related Materials

The University of Central Missouri holds the Barbara Corcoran Papers, another collection of her writing.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Correspondence, 1941-2000Return to Top

0.2 linear feet

This series contains correspondence received by Barbara Corcoran including fan mail, letters from friends, and communications with her publishers.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Correspondence
1941, 1955
1/2
Correspondence
1962-1969
1/3
Correspondence
1970-1979
1/4
Correspondence
1980-1989
1/5
Correspondence
1990-2000
1/6
Correspondence, University of Southern Mississippi
1997
1/7
Correspondence
Undated
1/8
Correspondence, Children's Fan Mail
1968-1972

Series II:  Personal, 1937-1989Return to Top

1.0 linear feet

This series contains materials relating to Barbara Corcoran's personal life and finances.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/9
Biographical
undated
1/10
Biographical, Family Genealogy
undated
1/11
Book Reviews
undated
1/12
Book Reviews
undated
1/13
Clippings
1930s
1/14
Financial Records, Royalties
1985, 1994-1997
2/1
Legal Documents
1991, 1995
2/2
Pamphlets, Barbara Corcoran's Books
1971-1982
2/3
Miscellaneous, Appointment Book
1989
2/4
Miscellaneous, Book Reading Record
1988
2/5
Miscellaneous, Playbills
1937-1948
2/6
Miscellaneous
undated

Series III:  Writings, 1928-1998Return to Top

6.8 linear feet

This series contains drafts, manuscripts, and galley proofs of Barbara Corcoran's many writing projects and speeches.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/7
Music, Where Did The Time Go.
1975
2/8
Poetry
undated
2/9
Theatrical
1941
2/10
Theatrical
1955
2/11
Journal, American Girl
1970
2/12
Journal, American Girl
1970
2/13
Journal, American Girl
1970
2/14
Journal, American Girl
1971
2/15
Journal, American Girl
1971
2/16
Journal, Author and Journalist
1960
2/17
Journal, Co-ed
1970
2/18
Journal, Extension
1945-1946
2/19
Journal, Good Housekeeping
1981
2/20
Journal, Redbook
1961
3/1
Journal, Woman's Day
1966
3/2
Journal, Woman's Day
1967
3/3
Journal, Glamour
1943
3/4
Jordan (aired on KUFM)
1998
3/5
Jordan (aired on KUFM)
1998
3/6
Contemporary Author's Autobiographical Series, Vol. 2
undated
3/7
Contemporary Author's Autobiographical Series, Vol. 20
undated
3/8
Autobiographical
undated
3/9
Autobiography, manuscript
Undated
3/10
Autobiography, manuscript
Undated
3/11
Autobiography, manuscript
Undated
4/1
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
4/2
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
4/3
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
4/4
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
4/5
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
4/6
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
4/7
Sunrise (autobiography), manuscript
Undated
5/1
The Aegis articles (student publication)
1928
5/2
The Ghost of Spirit River, galley proof
1968
5/3
Sasha My Friend, galley proof
1969
5/4
The Lifestyle of Robie Tuckerman, manuscript
1971
5/5
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, manuscript
1972
5/6
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, manuscript
1972
5/7
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, manuscript
1972
6/1
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, manuscript
1972
6/2
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, galley proof
1972
6/3
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, galley proof
1972
6/4
Don't Slam the Door When You Go, galley proof
1972
6/5
Lion on the Mountain, manuscript
1972
6/6
Lion on the Mountain, manuscript
1972
6/7
Lion on the Mountain, galley proof
1972
6/8
Lion on the Mountain, galley proof
1972
7/1
Silver Wolf, manuscript
1973
7/2
Silver Wolf, manuscript
1973
7/3
Silver Wolf, galley proof
1973
7/4
All the Summer Voices, manuscript
1973
7/5
All the Summer Voices, galley proof
1973
7/6
The Young Grizzly, manuscript
1974
7/7
The Young Grizzly, galley proof
1974
7/8
The Young Grizzly, galley proof
1974
8/1
Promises to Keep, manuscript
1974
8/2
Promises to Keep, galley proof
1974
8/3
The Winds of Time, manuscript
1974
8/4
The Winds of Time, galley proof
1974
8/5
The Winds of Time, galley proof
1974
8/6
A Dance to Still Music, manuscript
1974
8/7
A Dance to Still Music, manuscript
1974
9/1
A Dance to Still Music, galley proof
1974
9/2
A Dance to Still Music, galley proof
1974
9/3
A Dance to Still Music, galley proof
1974
9/4
Meet Me at Tamerlane's Tomb, manuscript
1975
9/5
Meet Me at Tamerlane's Tomb, galley proof
1975
9/6
The Clown, manuscript
1975
9/7
The Clown, galley proof
1975
10/1
A Candle to the Devil, manuscript
1975
10/2
A Candle to the Devil, galley proof
1975
10/3
Titania's Lodestone, manuscript
1975
10/4
Titania's Lodestone, galley proof
1975
10/5
Titania's Lodestone, galley proof
1975
10/6
May I Cross Your Golden River, manuscript
1975
10/7
May I Cross Your Golden River, galley proof
1975
11/1
The Search for Charlie, manuscript
1976
11/2
The Search for Charlie, galley proof
1976
11/3
The Search for Charlie, galley proof
1976
11/4
The Search for Charlie, galley proof
1976
11/5
The Search for Charlie, galley proof
1976
11/6
Pimm's Cup for Everyone, manuscript
1976
11/7
Pimm's Cup for Everyone, galley proof
1976
11/8
Cabin in the Sky, manuscript (chapter 1-15)
1976
12/1
Cabin in the Sky, manuscript (chapter 16-30)
1976
12/2
Cabin in the Sky, galley proof
1976
12/3
Cabin in the Sky, galley proof
1976
12/4
Axe-time, Sword-time, manuscript
1976
12/5
Axe-time, Sword-time, galley proof
1976
13/1
Axe-time, Sword-time, galley proof
1976
13/2
Summer of the White Goat, manuscript
1977
13/3
Abigail, manuscript
1981
13/4
Wolf at the Door, manuscript
1993
13/5
Wolf at the Door, manuscript
1993
13/6
Wolf at the Door, manuscript
1993
13/7
Wolf at the Door, correspondence re:
1993
14/1
Ebony, manuscript
undated
14/2
Ebony, manuscript
undated
14/3
Ebony, manuscript, rough draft
undated
14/4
Ebony, manuscript, not used
undated
14/5
Ebony, manuscript, (rough material)
undated
14/6
The House on Blank Street, manuscript
undated
14/7
The View from Here, manuscript
undated
15/1
Paradise First Class, A Maggie Dexter Adventure, manuscript
undated
15/2
The Long Journey, manuscript
undated
15/3
Midnight and High Water, manuscript
undated
15/4
Lazy Boy, manuscript
undated
15/5
Where is Black Thunder?, manuscript
undated
16/1
Sun on the Half Moon, manuscript
undated
16/2
The Cherub and My Sainted Grandmother, manuscript
undated
16/3
The View from Here, manuscript
undated
16/4
Untitled, manuscript (pages 3-194)
undated
16/5
Edge of Fear, manuscript (by Bradford Angier)
undated
16/6
Ask for Love and They Give You Rice Pudding (book by Bradford Angier and Barbara Corcoran)
1977

Series IV:  Photographs, circa 1940-1990Return to Top

0.2 linear feet

This series contains photographs of Barbara Corcoran as well as her friends and family.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
17/1
Photographs, Barbara Corcoran and Family
undated
17/2
Photographs, Barbara Corcoran's early years
undated
17/3
Photographs, Acquaintances
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Children's literature, American--20th century

Personal Names

  • Corcoran, Barbara--Archives

Form or Genre Terms

  • Manuscripts for publication--Montana--Missoula

Occupations

  • Women authors, American

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Angier, Bradford