Featured Archival Collections
Isaac Asimov papers. While Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) is recognized as one of the most popular and influential American authors of science fiction, he wrote prolifically in many other genres, especially popular science, mystery, history, and humor. The range of his work is represented in his manuscripts, notebooks, correspondence, photographs, and other materials; including his seminal works I, Robot (1950) and the "Robot" series; the "Foundation" novels; and numerous short stories, essays, criticism, book reviews, memoirs, introductions, and other items.
Marion Zimmer Bradley papers. American author and editor Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930-1999) is best-known for her 1983 fantasy novel The Mists of Avalon, a retelling of the Arthurian mythos, and her Darkover series of science-fiction/fantasy novels. Her manuscripts, letters, diaries, audio and video recordings, and other material cover these and the rest of her career from the 1950s through the 1990s; including her large collection of fanzines, as Bradley was one of the earliest sci-fi/fantasy authors to actively engage with the fandom and convention scene.
Arthur C. Clarke papers. Manuscripts, letters and other items from influential British author and futurist Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008). His papers primarily consist of non-fiction but include some science-fiction, as well as letters between Clarke and author C. S. Lewis.
L. Sprague de Camp papers. American author and editor L. Sprague de Camp (1907-2000) was a versatile author in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and non-fiction. His manuscripts and other material include several works of science fiction and fantasy, including drafts of his work with Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian; as well as Camp's extensive collection of science fiction and fantasy magazines and fanzines dating from the late 1930s through the 1960s.
Basil Copper papers. Manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, and other items from English author and editor Basil Copper (1924-2013), a prolific writer science fiction, fantasy, horror, and detective fiction.
Kendell Foster Crossen papers. American pulp fiction author and editor Kendell Foster Crossen (1910-1981) was best known for his mystery, science fiction, and adventure stories; especially those stories, comics, and radio shows starring his fictional hero The Green Lama. His manuscripts, letters, and other materials document his career in print, radio, and television.
Leslie Fiedler papers. Iconoclastic American literary critic, essayist, and author Leslie Fiedler (1917-2003) was an early and influential champion for the literary value of the science fiction genre. His manuscripts, letters, photographs, and other materials include drafts and correspondence regarding the 1975 anthology In Dreams Awake: A Historical-Critical Anthology of Science Fiction, edited by Fiedler; his critical biography of science fiction author Olaf Stapledon; and letters from Brian Aldiss, Samuel R. Delany, Harlan Ellison, Philip Jose Farmer, and Frederick Pohl, among others.
Terry Gilliam papers. American filmmaker Terry Gilliam (1940- ) is known for both his early work with the Monty Python's Flying Circus comedy troupe and his later career in cinema. His manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, audio, video, and other materials include his work on his groundbreaking science fiction/fantasy films Jabberwocky (1977), Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), 12 Monkeys (1995), and The Brothers Grimm (2005).
Gerald Kersh papers. British-American author Gerald Kersh (1911-1968) is known for his many short stories in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery genres, originally published under various pseudonyms. Kersh fell into obscurity after his death in 1968 but was rediscovered in the 2000s, with many of his works being reprinted in the 2010s. His manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, notes, and other materials document his prolific output.
Leonard Nimoy papers. American actor, author, and director Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015) is best known for his portrayal of the character Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek television series and the succeeding film franchise. His manuscripts, letters, photographs, and other materials include several Star Trek scripts and other related items.
Edgar Pangborn papers. The 1950s science fiction of American author Edgar Pangborn (1909-1976) is known for its "humanist" approach to the genre, as opposed to the more common "hard sci-fi" of that era; a literary style that greatly influenced later generations of science fiction authors. His work is documented in his manuscripts, notebooks, and other materials.
Mary Doria Russell papers. American novelist Mary Doria Russell (1950- ) began her literary career with a pair of philosophical science fiction novels, The Sparrow (1996) and its sequel Children of God (1997). These works are represented in her manuscripts, letters, research materials, photographs, and other items, which also include materials on her historical fiction novels A Thread of Grace (2005) and Dreamers of the Day (2008).
Jack Vance papers. A substantial collection of manuscripts and letters from American author John Holbrook Vance (1916-2013). Vance added a socio-political dimension to his science fiction, fantasy, and mystery writings that was often absent from the popular fiction of his era, especially his "Dying Earth" series of stories and novels.
H. G. Wells papers. A collection of manuscripts, letters, and other items from English author and futurist H. G. Wells (1866-1946). Included is Wells' manuscripts for "The Plattner Story" (1897), an early science fiction story about a parallel world; and the speculative history novel The Autocracy of Mr. Parham (1929).
Jay Williams papers. Best-known as the author of the long-running "Danny Dunn" young-adult science fiction novel series, American author Jay Williams (1914-1978) was also a prolific writer of other science fiction tales, as well as historical fiction, mystery, children's literature, and non-fiction. His manuscripts, correspondence, research material, and other materials document his varied career.
Going Further: Additional Archival Collections
Joan Aiken papers. Letters and manuscripts from British writer Joan Aiken (1924-2004), author of the "Wolves of Willoughby Chase" fantasy novel series.
Desmond Bagley papers. Manuscripts, letters, photographs, scrapbooks, and other materials from British novelist Desmond Bagley (1923-1983), including manuscripts and correspondence regarding several science-fiction short stories.
John Bowen papers. Manuscripts, letters, and other materials from British playwright and novelist John Bowen (1924-2019) including drafts of Bowen's 1958 post-apocalyptic play After the Rain, set 200 years after a massive global flood.
Barbara N. Byfield papers. American author and illustrator Barbara N. Byfield (1930-1988) was best known for her self-illustrated children's books. Her manuscripts, letters, artwork, and other materials include page proofs, letters, and other items regarding her witty illustrated fantasy book/compendium The Glass Harmonica: A Lexicon of the Fantastical (1967), retitled The Book of Weird when republished in 1973.
Alfred Coppel papers. American author Alfred Coppel (1921-2004) was known as a prolific pulp fiction writer, especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s. His manuscripts, correspondence, and other items include the "Rhada" series of young-adult science-fiction novels written under the pseudonym Robert Cham Gilman, as well as his 1960 post-apocalypse novel Dark December, his 1983 alternate-history novel The Burning Mountain, and various other writings.
Harlan Ellison papers. Photo offset printing plates from the 2001 compilation The Essential Ellison, containing writings by Harlan Ellison (1934-2018), an prolific American author and editor of science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, and criticism.
Marvin Kaye papers. Manuscripts, letters, photographs, and other materials from American writer Marvin Kaye (1938-2021), including his science fiction cult classics The Incredible Umbrella and The Masters of Solitude (co-authored with Parke Godwin); as well as other works of mystery and non-fiction.
David Lozell Martin papers. The writings of American novelist David Lozell Martin (1946- ) cover various genres. His manuscripts, letters, research, and other materials include drafts for his 2005 speculative/suspense novel Facing Rushmore, as well as several other thriller, suspense, and horror novels.
Roddy McDowall papers. In his long and varied career in radio, film, and television, British-American actor Roddy McDowall (1928-1998) often worked in the science-fiction and fantasy genres. His scripts, photographs, audio and video recordings, and other materials include his work on the original Planet of the Apes film series (1967-1972) and the succeeding television program (1974); The Twilight Zone (original series); and other productions.
William P. McGivern papers. Best known for his mysteries and crime thrillers, American author William P. McGivern (1918-1982) also wrote several science fiction short stories in the 1940s and 1950s, published in Fantastic Adventures Magazine. These stories and his other writings are present in his manuscripts, letters, diaries, journals, and other materials.
Raylyn Moore papers. Manuscripts, correspondence, notes, and other items from the American author and editor of fantasy and science fiction Raylyn Moore (1928-2005).
Alan E. Nourse papers. American author of fiction and non-fiction Alan E. Nourse (1928-1992) was a working physician who often incorporated medical themes into his science fiction writings. His manuscripts, letters, journals, research files, and other material document his writings in the genres of science fiction, popular science, and non-fiction for young adults, as well as material from his medical career.
Barbara Paul papers. Manuscripts, letters, and other materials from American mystery and science fiction novelist Barbara Paul (1931-2022).
Don Siegel papers. The manuscripts, photographs, letters, production material, and other materials from American director Don Siegel (1912-1991), pioneer of independent film, include material for the original version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956); two episodes of The Twilight Zone (1963); and the Gothic thriller The Beguiled (1971), all directed by Siegel.
Curt Siodmak papers. The manuscripts, letters, and other materials from German-American author and director of science fiction and horror Curt Siodmak (1902-2000) cover his later career of writings and film, including Hauser's Memory (1968), The Third Ear (1971), City in the Sky (1974), and various other novels, screenplays, and teleplays.
Forest Whitaker papers. The manuscripts, letters, production files, photographs, research, and other materials from versatile American actor Forest Whitaker (1961- ) includes material regarding his work on the 2000-2002 revival of The Twilight Zone and scripts for the 2024 science fiction-fantasy film Megalopolis.
