John Wesley Noble collection , circa 1913-1945

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Noble, John Wesley
Title
John Wesley Noble collection
Dates
circa 1913-1945 (inclusive)
Quantity
7.5 linear feet, (5 containers)  :  5 record storage boxes
Collection Number
Ax 826
Summary
The John Wesley Noble papers contains materials regarding the writing career of John Noble, Oregon born journalist and novelist. Materials include correspondence with publishers between the late 1940's through the early 1970's, manuscripts and numerous published and unpublished writings. The collection also contains co-written manuscripts, as well as a folder of miscellaneous papers, and a personal book.
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

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Journalist and novelist, John Wesley Noble, was born in 1913 in Oregon City, Oregon. He resided for much of his adult life in Oakland, California after graduating from the University of California with a degree in History and International relations in 1937. Noble began his professional career as a reporter for the Oakland Tribune, (1935-1948) before moving into a fulltime freelance writing career. Noble maintained a strong focus on the outdoors and environmental conservation throughout his career, and wrote numerous non-fiction articles. These articles were published in many prominent publications, such as Field and Stream and Reader's Digest. While working as a freelance journalist, Noble also wrote the novel Never Plead Guilty and worked on many other collaborative texts, such as Man the Manipulator and I Want to Quit Winners. Throughout his career, Noble guest lectured at numerous Western universities, junior colleges, and high schools, and conducted writing seminars throughout the Pacific Northwest. Noble was also the founding general manager of the California Writers Conference, as well as a member of the Society of Magazine Writers and the California Writers Club. Noble died in 1975.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The John Wesley Noble papers contains materials regarding the writing career of John Noble, including correspondence with publishers between the late 1940's through the early 1970's, manuscripts and numerous published and unpublished writings. The collection also contains co-written manuscripts, as well as a folder of miscellaneous papers, and a personal book.

The correspondence series contains a variety of both incoming and outgoing professional letters with publishers between 1948 and 1973. The material focuses largely on Noble's work being accepted or declined by the publishing companies, and primarily consists of incoming correspondence with a few outgoing materials.

The manuscripts series contains numerous drafts of book manuscripts as well as a wide variety of smaller writings, such as essays and shorter works written for smaller publications. The manuscripts found in this collection include Nobles most prominent works such as Never Plead Guilty (1963) and I Want to Quit Winners (1961), which is written in conjunction with Harold S. Smith, Sr.

The Miscellaneous collection contains two folders, one of which contains ephemeral material, while the other houses the book In Search of My Brother by Carol Albright

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Journalism and literature--United States--History--20th century
  • Journalists--California
  • Journalists--Oregon

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts (document genre)