Archival Collections
Peter Benchley papers. American author Peter Benchley (1940-2006) is best known for his 1974 novel Jaws, only one of his several thrillers adapted into films. His manuscripts, letters, audio/visual material, and other materials document his varied career, from his early drafts as a speechwriter to his later work as an environmentalist and advocate for the protection of great white sharks.
Evelyn Berckman papers. American author Evelyn Berckman (1900-1978) was a composer and music teacher before starting her writing career at age 54 and moving to London, where she wrote several popular detective and Gothic horror novels. Her manuscripts, letters, photographs, research material, and other materials include this work as well as her non-fiction writings and research on the British Navy.
Campbell Black papers. Scottish author, editor, and teacher Campbell Black (1944-2013) wrote several political thrillers under the name Campbell Armstrong, as well as crime novels set in Glasgow. His manuscripts, letters, and other materials document his writing career in the 1980s and 1990s.
John Blackburn papers. Manuscripts from the popular British thriller novelist John Blackburn (1923-1993), who often incorporates elements of horror or science fiction into his writings.
R. Courtney-Browne papers. Two proofs of the 1967 suspense novel The Ancient Pond, from English author, journalist, and writer/producer of television documentary programs R. Courtney-Browne (1915-1994).
Richard Condon papers. American author Richard Condon (1915-1996) wrote novels, screenplays, and other works in various genres, always with a satirical edge. His manuscripts, letters, research, photographs, and other materials include his "paranoid" political thrillers The Manchurian Candidate (1959) and Winter Kills (1974), both of which were adapted into films.
Nelson DeMille papers. Manuscripts, letters, research files, and other materials from popular American suspense and adventure novelist Nelson DeMille (1943-2024), spanning his career from the 1970s through the 2010s.
Madelaine Duke papers. Manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, diaries, and other material from British author of espionage fiction, science fiction, and mystery Madelaine Duke (1925-1996); primarily pertaining to her 1977 suspense thriller The Bormann Receipt.
Dorothy Dunnett papers. Scottish historical fiction novelist Dorothy Dunnett (1923-2001) is best known for multi-volume sagas combining elements of suspense, mystery, and adventure with deeply researched historical accuracy. Her manuscripts, notebooks, letters, and other materials include her extensive research files.
Henry Farrell papers. American novelist and screenwriter Henry Farrell (1920-2006) is best remembered for his 1960 suspense/horror novel Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, which was later adapted into the 1962 film starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis; and his 1964 follow-up Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte, also adapted into a film, starring Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. His manuscripts and other materials document these projects, as well as materials for his other film and television projects in the suspense and mystery genres.
Arthur Herzog papers. American author Arthur Herzog (1927-2010) was a prolific writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction, best known for his string of popular suspense/horror thrillers -- The Swarm (1974), Earthsound (1975), Orca (1976), Heat (1976), IQ83 (1977), and The Craving (1982). His manuscripts, letters, family and personal records, and other materials document these works as well as his journalism and other writings.
Evan Hunter papers. American author Evan Hunter (1926-2005) wrote popular works of crime and suspense under both his own name and the pseudonym Ed McBain, including the "87th Precinct" police procedural series as the latter; his writings include novels, screenplays, teleplays, stage plays, and other works. His prolific output is represented in his manuscripts, letters, and other materials, including drafts of the film The Birds (Universal, 1963) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; and Marnie (1964), also written for Hitchcock (though Hunter's version wasn't filmed).
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.
Fletcher Knebel papers. Manuscripts, letters, research notes, and other materials from American author Fletcher Knebel (1911-1993), a foundational writer in the "political thriller" genre.
Joseph E. Levine papers. Manuscripts, letters, production material, photographs, audio, video, and other materials from American film producer and distributor Joseph E. Levine (1905-1987), including many items regarding the 1978 horror film Magic.
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 and other items regarding his 1990 suspense novel Lie to Me, his 1992 horror novel Bring Me Children, and his 1999 suspense novel Pelikan.
Graham Masterton papers. Manuscripts for four novels and an anthology (Scare Care) from popular British horror and mystery novelist Graham Masterton (1946- ).
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 suspense and horror genres. His scripts, photographs, audio and video recordings, and other materials include his work on the films Shock Treatment (1964); The Curse of the Golem (1966); Cult of the Damned (1970); Pretty Maids All in a Row (1972); The Poseidon Adventure (1972); The Legend of Hell House (1973); Class of 1984 (1982); Fright Night (1985); and other productions.
Robert Newman papers. American author Robert Newman (1909-1988) was a mystery novelist and groundbreaking radio writer, best known for his scripts for the suspense programs Murder at Midnight and its popular successor Inner Sanctum. His manuscripts, letters, and other materials include his scripts for these and other radio shows, as well as drafts of his novels and other writings.
Richard North Patterson papers. American attorney and novelist Richard North Patterson (1947-) is best known for his series of popular thrillers published between 1993 and 2011, often incorporating controversial topics such as abortion, gun violence, and capital punishment. His manuscripts, notebooks, letters, research, and other materials document these and his later writings, including his political commentary and other non-fiction.
Florence Engel Randall papers. Manuscripts for novels and short stories by American author Florence Engel Randall (1917-1997), best known for her Gothic suspense and horror fiction.
W. E. Dan Ross papers. Manuscripts and correspondence from prolific American pulp author W. E. Dan Ross (1912-1995), including works of horror (including many novel adaptations of the Dark Shadows television series), suspense, romance, and Gothic fiction.
Justin Scott papers. Manuscripts, correspondence, diaries and travel logs, and other material from popular American mystery and thriller novelist Justin Scott (1944- )
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 the medical thriller Gabriel's Body (1992) and various other novels, screenplays, and teleplays.
Richard Martin Stern papers. Manuscripts, correspondence, and other material from American novelist Richard Martin Stern (1915-2001) best known for his 1973 thriller The Tower, one of the two works adapted into the 1974 film The Towering Inferno.
Bernard Taylor papers. Manuscripts and other materials from British author of horror, suspense, and other genres Bernard Taylor (1934- ), who also writes under the pen name Jess Foley.
Thomas Tryon papers. Manuscripts, correspondence, artwork, and other items from American novelist Thomas Tryon (1926-1991), including his popular horror novels The Other (1971), Harvest Home (1973), and Crowned Heads (1976).
