Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith Letters, Notes, and Ephemera

Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith Letters, Notes, and Ephemera, 1904-1983

Overview of the Collection

Title: Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith Letters, Notes, and Ephemera
Dates: 1904-1983 (inclusive)
19041965
Quantity: 3 linear feet, (oversized diplomas and one legal-sized document box.)
Collection Number: MG 503
Summary: The materials in this collection include letters to and from E. E. "Doc" Smith from family members, publishers, and other authors. Additionally, there are photographs and educational materials including diplomas awarded to Smith.
Repository: University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Correspondence to or from E. E. "Doc" Smith and his family, publishers, or other authors. Also includes photos and educational materials for Smith. The materials of this collection were provided by Betsy Spiegel via her nephew Courtney Fugate. A noteworthy piece includes a synopsis of Skylark of Space with a 20+ page manuscript of drawings and notes. Other items of interest include letters to and from authors Jack Williamson and Abraham Grace Merritt.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

E. E. (Edward Elmer) "Doc" Smith (1890-1965) was an American science-fiction author who is credited with creating the Skylark series (1928–65) and the Lensmen series. He graduated in 1914 from the University of Idaho with two degrees in chemical engineering and in 1918 completed his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a focus in food engineering from George Washington University. During his educaiton he began writing his first science fiction work, Skylark of Space his neighbour, Lee Hawkins Garby. Though completed in 1919, his work wasn't published until 1928. Some of his most famous works include The Skylark of Space, and the Lensmen series, and they were published in the periodicals Amazing Stories" and Astounding Stories. He was one of the first science fiction writers to write about interstellar travel. He became the inspiration for those in the science fiction community.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Letters, 1921-1964Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	1-3	Family and Miscellaneous Letters	1921-1966; undated
1	4	Jack Williamson Letters	1937-1951
1	5	Abraham Merritt Letters	1930-1933
1	6	Jack Goodman Letters	1937-1940
1	7	Olive Robb Letters	1932; undated

Miscellaneous Documents, 1904-1983; undatedReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	8	"Synopsis of THE SKYLARK OF SPACE. The Tale of The First Interstellar Cruise"
1	9	Notes on the 'Skylark'; Quotation
1	10	An Interview with Edward E. Smith by Julius Schwartz (via Fourth-Order Communicator)	1933
1	11	Miscellaneous and Photographs	1921; 1965; 1983; undated
1	12	Photograph of E. E. Smith in Sci-Fi Suit
1	13	Miscellaneous Items on board	1909-1910; 1914

Miscellaneous Parchment, (bulk 1904-1919; undated) Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
1	E. E. Smith's State of Idaho Common School Diploma	1904
1	E. E. Smith's University of Idaho Preparatory School Diploma in the Scientific Course	1907
1	E. E. Smith's BS in Chemical Engineering Diploma from the University of Idaho	1904
1	E. E. Smith's MS Diploma from George Washington University	1916
1	E. E. Smith's PhD. Diploma from George Washington University	1919

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Authors
Correspondence
Science fiction--Appreciation
Science fiction--Authorship

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