Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Forsyth, Frederick, 1938-
- Abstract:
- The Forsyth, Frederick mss. (1960-2013) consist of the papers of author Frederick Forsyth (b. 1938).
- Extent:
- 10 Boxes
- Language:
- Materials are in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Forsyth, Frederick mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Born in Ashford, Kent, Forsyth worked as a journalist for Reuters and then BBC after completing his service as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Beginning in the mid-1960s, Forsyth worked as a spy for MI6, an experience that influenced his later writings.
Using both his experiences in the service and his journalistic training, Forsyth began writing thrillers after his return from Biafra, an endeavor that resulted in his first writing project, The Biafra Story (1969). His first novel, The Day of the Jackal (1971), earned the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel. Several of his bestselling novels, including The Odessa File (1972), The Dogs of War (1974), and The Fourth Protocol (1984), have been transformed into film adaptations. Forsyth's departure from the thriller genre, a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera entitled The Phantom of Manhattan (1999), was partially adapted into Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical stage production Love Never Dies.
- Scope and Content:
Writings consist of drafts, typescripts, and addenda to writings by Forsyth and are subdivided into novels, short stories, film and television treatments, unpublished works, and works written by others. The Research and Notes series includes all materials related to Forsyth's writing process, from ephemera (maps, guidebooks) and clippings to correspondence and notes. Audio-visual items consist primarily of research materials, including an audiocassette and an unprocessed roll of film.
Correspondents include: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Simon Wiesenthal, Richard Odgers, Michael J. Gething.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired: October 2014
- Arrangement:
The collection is organized into the following series: I. Writings; II. Research and Notes; and III. Audio-Visual.
- Physical location:
- ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- 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:
-
[Item], Forsyth, Frederick mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu