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AHJ_ah04363 Inventory of the Courtney Ryley Cooper papers, 1866-1969 (bulk 1915-1969) Cooper (Courtney Ryley) Papers Processed by D. Claudia Thompson University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.

American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/

2013; 2016

University of Wyoming

Finding aid encoded by Ann Mulfort March 2013 Finding aid is in English Collection Summary Cooper, Courtney Ryley, 1886-1940. Courtney Ryley Cooper papers 1866-1969 1915-1969 04363 8.23 cubic feet (18 boxes) University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English Writings and personal papers of an American author who specialized in circus and crime stories and who worked closely with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Biography of Courtney Ryley Cooper

Courtney Ryley Cooper was a journalist and writer known for his books (fiction and nonfiction), short stories, magazine articles, and screenplays on crime, the circus, Buffalo Bill, wild animals, and the Rocky Mountains. He acted as press agent for the Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1914-1915. His first book was "Under the Big Top" (1923). Working with William F. Cody's widow, he later wrote a book-length biography titled "Memories of Buffalo Bill." Cooper also wrote a biography of Annie Oakley. During the 1930s he worked with J. Edgar Hoover, writing many articles championing the FBI and its crime fighting activities. Cooper also wrote screenplays, including "The Plainsman."

Scope and Content

The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and manuscripts, all relating primarily to Cooper's writing. Correspondence includes exchanges with J. Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI. Many of the legal documents are concerned with Cooper's copyrights. The manuscripts include both published and unpublished work Cooper did for newspapers and magazines. In addition, the collection contains books and newspaper and magazine clippings of Cooper's published work. There are also photographs and a transcript of a radio interview with Cooper.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Courtney Ryley Cooper at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The material was received from the estate of Genevieve (Mrs. Courtney Ryley) Cooper, 1972-1978.

Processing Information

The collection was processed by D. Claudia Thompson and Olivia Bassett in October 2016.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Access Terms Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917. Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972. United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Journalists -- United States -- 20th century. Authors -- United States -- 20th century. Circus -- United States -- 20th century. Wild west shows. <?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?> Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Literature Container List Series I. Correspondence, Photographs, and Other Materials

1 Correspondence 1918-1929 1 Correspondence 1930-1935