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Upton Sinclair Literary Manuscript and Correspondence

 Collection
Call Number: MS 299

Overview

The collection consists of a partial typescript for "The Millennium: A Story" as well as correspondence from Sinclair to his publisher. It also includes correspondence from fans and materials relating to Sinclair's life and written works, including biographies and photographs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1914 - 1975

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1878. Sinclair was an American author, novelist, journalist, and political activist who wrote many books in several genres. He is most well-known for his exposé The Jungle, regarding conditions in Chicago's meat packing plants, which influenced the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. Much of Sinclair's writing was related to the economic and social conditions of the early 20th century.

Sinclair was heavily involved in political affairs and ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives and Senate in the 1920s. Sinclair was married to Meta Fuller from 1902-1911, Mary Craig Kimbrough from 1913-1961, and Mary Elizabeth Willis from 1961-1967. Sinclair lived most of his life in California, though he eventually moved to New Jersey with his third wife and died there in 1968.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the first draft of the first installment of "The Millennium: A Story," a science fiction typescript that includes handwritten corrections. It also contains lengthy correspondence from Sinclair to his publisher and friend, Henry J. Haldeman. Other correspondence includes letters from fans and writers requesting copies of Sinclair's written works. The collection is also comprised of notes and other materials such as biographies relating to Sinclair's life and works. Additionally, there are some photographs of Sinclair.

Physical Location

MS 299

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, 2011

Title
Guide to the Upton Sinclair Collection
Subtitle
Upton Sinclair Literary Manuscript and Correspondence
Author
Finding aid prepared by cmh, 2012. Finding aid encoded by cmh, 2012.
Date
2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/8839590499
Preferred citation
Upton Sinclair Literary Manuscript and Correspondence, MS 299, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334