Thomas A. Curry, Jr. papers , 1922-1967

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Curry, Tom, 1900-1976
Title
Thomas A. Curry, Jr. papers
Dates
1922-1967 (inclusive)
Quantity
13 linear feet, (10 containers)
Collection Number
Ax 318
Summary
Thomas A. Curry, Jr. (1900-1976) was best known as a writer of adventure stories. He published numerous novels, novelettes and periodical articles. This collection contains several of his manuscripts and also a large amount of his correspondence.
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
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Thomas A. Curry, Jr. (1900-1976) was a prominent American writer of adventure stories, novels, and novelettes. His parents were involved in writing for the theater and his father, Thomas Sr., was private secretary to the leading broadway producer David Belasco from 1914 to 1931. Thomas Jr. studied chemical engineering at Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. While in school he sold his first story to People's Magazine. At age 23 he was hired as a reporter for the New York American, covering the crime beat in the city's tenderloin district. By 1925 he was writing detective stories and in the 1930s became a regular contributor to Detective Fiction Weekly. Curry married and had three children. He became a regular contributor to Texas Rangers magazine, which was launched by Leo Margulies in 1936. In 1939, Thomas created his well known character Bob Pryor, The Rio Kid. The Rio Kid Western became a quarterly publication in October of 1939. During his career Curry wrote numerous western adventures but also pieces dealing with sport, fantasy, history and other topics. In 1955 with the pulp fiction market virtually dead, Curry returned to the engineering profession. He continued to publish new works occasionaly. He began his retirement around 1967 the year in which he donated his papers to the University of Oregon. Curry died in 1976 in Connecticut, where he resided much of his adult life.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Thomas A. Curry Papers contain literary manuscripts, correspondence and other miscellaneous items. The literary manuscripts includes numerous novels and novelettes, but mainly short stories and articles. Other manuscripts include radio scripts and motion picture and comic strip treatments. There are 43 folders of unidentified story manuscripts. Correspondence included here are related mainly to Curry's professional and business affairs, but some personal letters can be found. The group of materials previously identified as suppliment are integrated into the whole colletion.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors, American--20th century
  • Comic books, strips, etc.--Authorship
  • Detective and mystery stories, American--Authorship
  • Motion picture authorship
  • Publishers and publishing--Correspondence
  • Treatments (Motion pictures, television, etc.)
  • Western stories--Authorship

Personal Names

  • Curry, Tom, 1900-1976

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts for publication
  • Motion picture plays
  • Mystery fiction
  • Radio scripts
  • Western stories