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Marguerite Henry Collection

 Collection
Identifier: CLRC-38

Scope and Contents

The collection contains production material for titles published between 1942 and 1996. It includes manuscripts, typescripts, carbon and photocopy typescripts, layouts, paste-ups, notes, research material, clippings, photographs, dummies, and galley and page proofs. There is also a substantial amount of correspondence from children and teachers, much of it annotated by Marguerite Henry to show she answered it, as well as art work, stories and photographs from children. The collection also contains some personal and business correspondence to and from Marguerite Henry. There is also some miscellaneous material including her Newbery Medal and other awards, three miscellaneous filmstrips, a recorded interview with Marguerite Henry and the illustrator Wesley Dennis, some non-book material for Born to Trot, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio, some material related to the tv movie version of San Domingo : The Medicine Hat Stallion, material for a speech read at the Children's Book Fair Luncheon in 1961.

Dates

  • 1942-2001, Undated

Creator

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

Marguerite Henry was born April 13, 1902 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She attended Milwaukee State Teacher's College for two years, and in 1940 published her first book for children, Auno and Tauno : A Story of Finland. During the 1940s, Marguerite Henry also wrote the "Pictured Geographies" series introducing young readers to various countries around the world. In 1945, she published Justin Morgan Had a Horse, which received a Newbery Honor citation; the book was later re-written and published under the same title in 1954. Marguerite Henry's next horse story, Misty of Chincoteague, was also awarded a Newbery Honor in 1948, and King of the Wind, the story of the Godolphin Arabian, won the Newbery in 1949. Throughout her long and prolific career, Marguerite Henry's books have been cited by critics for their historical detail and accuracy, as well for making "history come alive" for young readers. Her books are also noted for their realism, characterization, and "nonhumanized treatment of animals", especially horses. Several of her books have been made into motion pictures or television movies, and she is considered by many to be the "best author of children's horse stories in this era." Marguerite Henry received the Kerlan Award in 1975 for her contribution to children's literature.

Extent

37 Cubic Feet (36 total boxes [28 record cartons, 4 flat boxes, 2 comic book boxes, 1 letter size Hollinger box, 1 legal size Hollinger box])

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Marguerite Henry's papers focus on her work as an author of books for children and young adults. The collection contains production material for titles published between 1942 and 1996 as well as material from unpublished works. It also contains correspondence, research notes, and awards.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by the following series, with work titles and other subseries arranged alphabetically: Published Works, Unpublished Works, Audio/Visual, Awards, Correspondence, Research, Speeches, Story Idea Files

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Part of this collection was originally given to Dr. Irvin Kerlan, who in turn donated his collection to the University of Minnesota. Additional material was given and/or placed on permanent loan in the collection by Marguerite Henry during the 1960s-1980s, with some material given by her sister, Gertrude Jupp. Other materials, originally held by Grace Yunker, were donated by Caroline and Clinton Schroeder. Dr. Lee Galda also donated material.

Existence and Location of Copies

16mm film labeled "Pony Birthday" in the Audio/Visual series has been digitized.

Related Materials

Related to the Wesley Dennis Papers

Source

Title
Marguerite Henry Collection, 1942 - 2001
Status
Completed
Author
Kristell Benson
Date
December 22, 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Children's Literature Research Collections Collecting Area

Contact:
Suite 113, Elmer L. Andersen Library