John Donovan Papers
Scope and Contents
The John Donovan papers contain typescript, publisher's marketing catalogs, and additional material related to six young adult novels written by Donovan.
Dates
- 1959 - 1976
Creator
- Donovan, John, 1929-1992 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
Biographical / Historical
John Donovan was born in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1928. He was educated at William and Mary College, and received a law degree from the University of Virginia. He began writing children's books in the 1960s, publishing his first book, The Little Orange Bookin 1961. He then began writing for young adults, and became known for dealing with subjects that were considered controversial, including homosexuality, alcoholism, death, and others. From 1967-1992 Donovan served as President of the Children's Book Council in New York. He died in New York on April 29, 1992.
Biographical Sources: Something About the Author, vol. 29, 72; Children's Literature Reviewvol. 3; Contemporary Literary Criticismvol. 35
Extent
.4 Cubic Feet (1 hollinger box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection contains drafts and related material for six novels for young people written by John Donovan.
Arrangement
Collection guide arranged alphabetically by title.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection is a gift from John Donovan and his estate, received in 1992.
- Authors, American -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Death -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Families -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Friendship -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Grief -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Homosexuality -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Laboratory animals -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Manuscripts for publication Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Mental illness -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Orphans -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Rabbits -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Wolves -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young adult fiction, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- John Donovan Papers, 1959-1976
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jim Eyer
- Date
- 2003
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- August 2018: Collection reprocessed and finding aid updated by Caitlin Marineau
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Children's Literature Research Collections Collecting Area
