Collection ID: LMC 1527
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Harris, Leon A.
Abstract:
The Harris, L. mss. consists of materials related to the writing and publication of Upton Sinclair, American Rebel (Crowell, 1975), by author Leon A. Harris, 1926-2000.
Extent:
9 Boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Harris, L. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Leon A. Harris, Jr., 1926-2000, was born in New York City on 20 June 1926, and his family moved to Dallas, Texas, when he was a child. Harris graduated from Harvard University in 1947 and began working at A. Harris & Company, a department store which his grandfather had founded in Dallas in 1886. In 1961, Harris sold the company to Federated Department Stores, which also owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's. At this time, he began writing full-time and published several books, including The Fine Art of Political Wit (1964), Only to God: The Extraordinary Life of Godfrey Lowell Cabot (1967), Upton Sinclair, American Rebel (1975), Merchant Princes: An Intimate History of Jewish Families Who Built Great Department Stores (1979), and several children's books. Harris died in Dallas, Texas, on 17 August 2000.

Scope and Content:

The Harris, L. mss. consists of the correspondence of Leon A. Harris, 1926-2000, author, engendered in the writing of his book Upton Sinclair, American Rebel (published by Crowell in 1975) and drafts of the book. The letters from 1931-1964 are those to and from Upton Beall Sinclair, 1878-1968, author and social reformer, which Harris acquired during his research. The later letters to Harris are from many who knew Sinclair, were swayed (or not) by his works, or have written about him. Others are from libraries which supplied copies of Sinclair's letters and accompanied the copies with the rules and regulations regarding their use.

A group of miscellaneous items associated with Harris' research include: Allatt checklist of material about Sinclair, 1963-1967; book jackets for Upton Sinclair, American Rebel; books contemporary with Sinclair's life; chronology of Sinclair's life, 1878-1968; chronology of the United States, 1862-1968; Cicero (drama) by Sinclair, mimeo copy; oral interviews (transcripts) with Earl Russell Browder, Melville Henry Cane, Ronald Gottesman, Carey McWilliams, David and Jean (Weidman) Sinclair, Norman Thomas, Alden Rogers Whitman; people file; physical description of Sinclair; publications by Sinclair, 1894-1968; The Sinclair CALM by Ronald Gottesman; work data on research; printed material.

The drafts of Upton Sinclair, American Rebel include: Early draft, Chap. I-II, IV-XXV, T.D. with corrections; Later draft, Chap. I-XXV, carbon of T.D., heavily corrected; Final draft, Chap. I-XXV, xerox of T.D.; Notes; Old, T.D. & xerox, many corrections and cut-offs; Notes: Final master, T.D. with many corrections; Notes: Xerox (3 copies); Text and notes: pp. 474-662, carbon and T.D.; Bibliography: A.D.; Bibliography: T.D. & Xerox - 4 copies, 3 with corrections; Bibliography: Xerox - 2 copies with corrections. Accompanying the drafts are Examination copies for approval and correction by A) Edward Allatt and Ronald Gottesman, carbon; B) David and Jean (Weidman) Sinclair, Xerox; C) Alden Rogers Whitman, carbon; D) unidentified copy, T.D. and carbon. Resource or working materials for the book are arranged first by chapter and then in a group of 26 general folders.

Acquisition information:
Purchase: 1979
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged following original order.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

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TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Harris, L. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu