Philip D. Nathanson Collection of Kenneth Millar Materials: Finding Aid
mssMillark
Gayle M. Richardson
The Huntington Library
August 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Philip D. Nathanson collection of Kenneth Millar materials
Creator:
Macdonald, Ross,
1915-1983
Identifier/Call Number: mssMillark
Physical Description:
1.76 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1945-1980
Abstract: A collection of material related to the
author Kenneth Millar who wrote the Lew Archer mysteries under the pseudonym Ross
Macdonald.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Philip D. Nathanson collection of Kenneth Millar materials, The
Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Philip D. Nathanson, May 2022.
Biographical / Historical
Kenneth Millar (1915-1983) was born in Los Gatos, California; his parents were Canadian,
and he was raised in the town of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. His father abandoned the family
when Millar was four years old, and he was raised by his mother; they moved multiple times
while he was growing up, but he moved back to Kitchener as a young adult. Millar graduated
from the University of Western Ontario with an Honors degree in History and English; he
received a PhD in literature from the University of Michigan in 1952. He married Margaret
Sturm in 1938; they had one daughter. During World War Two, Millar served as a naval
communications officer from 1944 to 1946; after the war, the family moved to Santa Barbara,
California. Millar began writing stories for pulp magazines and by 1944 had written four
novels under his own name; his fifth novel in 1949 was written as John Macdonald, then he
briefly used John Ross Macdonald before settling on Ross Macdonald from the mid-1950s
onward. Millar decided to use a pseudonym to avoid confusion with Margaret who was also a
successful mystery writer as Margaret Millar. Kenneth Millar primarily wrote crime fiction
novels set in Southern California which featured a private detective named Lew Archer; most
of the books were set around the fictional town of Santa Teresa which was based upon Santa
Barbara. Millar's Archer novels are widely considered to be some of the most significant
American mystery books of the mid-20th century for the psychological depth of his
characters, his use of language, and the sophisticated imagery he employed. Several of his
novels have been made into movies and television pilots including: The Moving Target (filmed
as Harper with Paul Newman), The Drowning Pool (also filmed with Paul Newman), and The
Underground Man (television series pilot). He won the 1965 CWA Gold Dagger Award for The Far
Side of the Dollar among other awards. Millar published eighteen novels, short story
collections, and many omnibus editions featuring the character of Lew Archer. In 1980,
Millar was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and he died of complications of the disease
in Santa Barbara on July 11, 1983.
Scope and Contents
A collection of material assembled by Philip D. Nathanson related to the writer Kenneth
Millar (Ross Macdonald). The collection includes drafts of novels, notebooks, screenplays,
book reviews, essays, correspondence, and ephemera. The manuscript material includes drafts,
notes, and introductions for the novels Black Money, The Galton Case, The Instant Enemy, and
The Underground Man. Significant correspondents and companies in the collection include,
among others: Don Freeman, Lydia Freeman, Douglas Heyes, Walter Hill, Marc Jaffe, Robert R.
Kirsch, Margaret Millar, Dorothy Olding, Lorenzo Semple, Jr., Jack Smith, Harold Norling
Swanson, Tracy Keenan Wynn, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., and Harold Ober Associates.
Processing Information
Processed by Gayle M. Richardson in August 2022.
Arrangement
Organized in the following series: 1. Manuscripts; 2. Correspondence; 3. Ephemera.
Separated Materials
A collection of books, primarily first editions and presentation copies of Kenneth Millar's
own works and books by other authors collected by Millar, were transferred to the printed
book collection; volumes are individually cataloged and can be found by searching the
Huntington Library Catalog.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Authors, American -- 20th century -- Fiction
Detective and mystery stories, American -- 20th century
Detectives -- California -- Fiction
World War, 1939-1945
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Fiction
Detective and mystery fiction -- United States -- 20th
century
Ephemera -- United States -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 20th century
Manuscripts -- United States -- 20th century
Reviews (documents) -- United States -- 20th century
Screenplays -- United States -- 20th century
Freeman, Don,
1908-1978
Freeman, Lydia
Heyes, Douglas,
1919-1993
Hill, Walter,
1942-
Jaffe, Marc
Kirsch, Robert R.,
1922-1980
Millar, Margaret,
1915-1994
Olding, Dorothy, 1910-1997
Semple, Lorenzo, Jr.,
1923-2014
Smith, Jack,
1916-1996
Swanson, H. N.
Wynn, Tracy
Keenan
Harold Ober
Associates
Manuscripts
1950-1977
Physical Description: 1.09 Linear
Feet
Scope and Contents
The manuscripts include drafts of novels, notebooks, book reviews, screenplays,
articles, and essays; many of the manuscripts are autograph or typewritten, carbon
copies with autograph corrections and additions. The manuscripts are written by Kenneth
Millar unless otherwise noted; a majority are signed either Kenneth Millar or Ross
Macdonald.
Box 1, Folder 1
Douglas Heyes "Archer: The Underground Man:" screenplay: final draft, with
transmittal letter from Phil Parslow
1974 February 8
Scope and Contents
With original paper covers.
Box 1, Folder 2
Autograph notes on verso of "A Special Condor Bulletin"
approximately 1970
Box 1, Folder 3
Biographical project: screenplay: typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1970
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. Incomplete, begins with scene 13; with autograph corrections
and additions.
Box 1, Folder 4
Black Money: notebook with earlier ending: autograph, with corrections and
additions
1966
Scope and Contents
Majority of notebook is blank.
Box 1, Folder 5
Omitted pages of Black Money: typewritten and carbon copy page
approximately 1966
Scope and Contents
First page with title written in ink by Millar. With autograph corrections and
additions in blue ink by Millar; suggestions, corrections and commentary in red ink in
an unknown hand.
Box 1, Folder 6
Black Money (short magazine version): title page, pages 1-130: early draft:
typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1966
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. With extensive changes, corrections and additions; with
inserted autograph pages. Original box lid removed to Ephemera.
Box 1, Folder 7
Black Money (short magazine version): pages 131-295: early draft:
typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1966
Box 1, Folder 8
A Collection of Contemporary Prose and Verse: "The Chicago Review Anthology"
edited by D. Ray: book review: autograph and photocopy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 1, Folder 9
Contemporary French Novelists: "The New Literature" by C. Mauriac: book
review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 1, Folder 10
Definitive Account of the Lindbergh Case: "Kidnap: The Story of the Lindbergh
Case" by G. Waller: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1961
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. Also enclosed: printed clipping of review.
Box 1, Folder 11
The Demon Lover: notebook 8 A: autograph with new additions and
corrections
approximately 1966
Scope and Contents
Signed: K. M. "The Demon Lover" was a condensed version of the novel "Black Money"
which appeared in Cosmopolitan magazine. The majority of the notebook is blank.
Box 1, Folder 12
The Demon Lover: revisions: typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1966
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. With autograph corrections and additions.
Box 1, Folder 13
Essays by the Late Virginia Woolf: "Granite and Rainbow" by Virginia Woolf:
book review: autograph
1958
Box 1, Folder 14
An Experimental Collection of Short Stories: "Short Story 1" by R. Yates…:
book review: autograph
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 1, Folder 15
Fable of Atlantis Guide for Moderns: article: early draft:
autograph
1961
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. With photocopy of final version of article, published in
Santa Barbara News-Press, April 21, 1961.
Box 1, Folder 16
The Far Side and Black Money: notebook: autograph notes, plotting, and
comments
1963-1974
Box 2, Folder 1
Fathers and Sons: "Don't Shoot -- We are Your Children!" by J. A. Lucas: book
review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1971
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. Multiple autograph drafts enclosed.
Box 2, Folder 2
Foreword: an unfinished story in an academic setting: autograph
approximately 1965
Box 2, Folder 3
Frank Norris: "Frank Norris: A Bibliography" by K. A. Lohf and E. P. Sheehy:
book review: autograph and photocopy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 4
The Galton Case: short version: typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. With autograph corrections and additions. Original padded
envelope removed to Ephemera.
Box 2, Folder 5
A Preface to The Galton Case: typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. With autograph corrections and additions. Original manila
envelope removed to Ephemera.
Box 2, Folder 6
Gide and Camus: "Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality. By Andre
Gide" edited by J. O'Brien: book review: autograph and photocopy.
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. With two autograph copies; on the verso of one "Joyce and
Lawrence as Critics" book review, crossed out.
Box 2, Folder 7
"Goldenrod" by Herbert Harker: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon
copy
approximately 1972
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald.
Box 2, Folder 8
"Graham Greene the Entertainer" by P. Wolfe: book review:
autograph
1972
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald.
Box 2, Folder 9
The Grand Detour: editor's questions: typewritten with Kenneth Millar's
notes
approximately 1960
Box 2, Folder 10
Ian McMillan and the California Condor: Two Great Native Sons: "Man and the
California Condor" by Ian McMillan: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon
copy
1968
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Also enclosed: printed clipping of review.
Box 2, Folder 11
The Instant Enemy: later draft: typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1967
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. With autograph corrections and additions.
Box 2, Folder 12
The Instant Enemy prospective film script treatment: second draft:
photocopy
approximately 1968
Scope and Contents
Original manila envelope removed to Ephemera.
Box 2, Folder 13
Introduction to "Archer at Large:" typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1970
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. Marked #2, with autograph corrections and additions.
Box 2, Folder 14
Introduction to bibliography: typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1970
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. With a few autograph corrections.
Box 2, Folder 15
An Introduction to "The Octopus:" college paper: photostat
approximately 1950
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar (Ross Macdonald).
Box 2, Folder 16
Joyce Cary, Novelist of Freedom: "Joyce Cary: A Preface to His Novels" by A.
Wright: book review: autograph and photocopy
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 17
Leslie Fiedler Psychoanalyzes the American Novel: "Love and Death in the
American Novel" by L. A. Fiedler: book review: autograph and photocopy
1960
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 18
A Life of Conrad and Two Contemporaries: "Joseph Conrad" by J. Baines,
"Stephen Crane: Letters" edited by R. W. Stellman and L. Gilkes, "Frank Norris" by V.
Brown: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1960
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 19
The Literary Echoes of Populism: "America's Literary Revolt" by M. Yatron:
book review: autograph
1969
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 20
Literary History and Criticism -- by Scholars Who Know to Write: "Textual and
Literary Criticism" by F. Bowers, "The Professional Writer in Elizabethan England" by
E. H. Miller, "The Business of Criticism" by H. Gardner: book review: autograph and
photocopy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 21
The Man in the Death House: "Brief Against Death" by E. Smith: book review:
typewritten and photocopy
1968
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald. Also enclosed: printed clipping of review.
Box 2, Folder 22
A Moral Critic on the Contemporary Novel: "Man in Modern Fiction" by E.
Fuller: book review: autograph
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 23
Nelson Algren: essay: autograph and typewritten
1977
Scope and Contents
Signed: Ross Macdonald.
Box 2, Folder 24
New Book on Conrad: "Joseph Conrad: A Study in Non-Conformity" by O. Andreas:
book review: autograph and photocopy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 25
New Books on Proust and His Work: "Marcel Proust: a Biography" by R. H.
Barker, "Proust Recaptured…" by P. H. Johnson: book review: autograph and
photocopy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 26
New Studies in Literature, Mostly French: "Proust: The Early Years," "The Art
of French Fiction," "So Be It, or the Chips are Down," "Oscar Wilde," "A Concise Study
of French Literature:" book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
approximately 1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 27
A Poet's Views on Modern Literature: "A Reviewer's ABC" by Conrad Aiken: book
review: autograph and photocopy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 2, Folder 28
Proust and After: The Tragedy of France and Its Sequel: book review:
autograph
approximately 1960
Box 2, Folder 29
The Question of Baron Corvo: "Nicholas Crabbe: A Romance" by F. Rolfe: book
review: autograph and photocopy
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 1
Sartre and Camus: "The Literature of Possibility…" by H. Barnes, "Albert
Camus and the Literature of Revolt" by J. Cruickshank: book review: autograph and
photocopy
1962
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 2
Strangers in Paradise: "The Dream of Arcadia" by V. W. Brooks, "Henry James:
The Creative Process" by H. T. McCarthy: book review: autograph
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 3
Studies in French Literature: "Life of Proust" by G. Painter: book review:
autograph
1959
Box 3, Folder 4
The Third Bronte Sister: "Anne Bronte: Her Life and Work" by A. Harrison and
D. Stanford: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 5
Thoreau's Life and Letters: "The Correspondence of Henry David Thoreau"
edited by W. Harding and C. Bode, "A Thoreau Handbook" by W. Harding: book review:
autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 6
Towards a Post-Freudian Analysis: "Existence: A New Dimension in Psychiatry
and Psychology" edited by R. May, E. Engle and H. F. Ellenberger: book review:
autograph and photocopy
1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 7
The Tragic Life Behind The Wind in the Willows: "Kenneth Grahame: A
Biography" by P. Green: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon
copy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 8
The Tragic Vision: "The Vision of Tragedy" by R. B. Sewall, "The Question of
Hamlet" by H. Levin: book review: autograph and typewritten, carbon copy
1959
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 9
The Underground Man: notebook 7: later planning
1961
Scope and Contents
Front cover only; metal spiral has been removed. Original slipcase storage box for
all The Underground Man material removed to Ephemera.
Box 3, Folder 10
The Underground Man: editor's comments: autograph
approximately 1970
Box 3, Folder 11
The Underground Man: editor's comments: typewritten
approximately 1970
Scope and Contents
With one autograph note by Millar.
Box 3, Folder 12
The Underground Man: title page, pages 1-160: later draft: typewritten,
carbon copy
approximately 1971
Scope and Contents
With autograph page of corrections. Draft with autograph corrections and
additions.
Box 3, Folder 13
The Underground Man: pages 161-298: later draft: typewritten, carbon
copy
approximately 1971
Scope and Contents
With autograph corrections and additions; with inserted autograph pages.
Box 3, Folder 14
Tracy K. Wynn, Lorenzo Semple, Jr., Walter Hill "The Drowning Pool:"
screenplay: early draft
1975 January
Scope and Contents
With original paper covers.
Correspondence
1945-1980
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear
Feet
Scope and Contents
The correspondence in the collection includes both professional and personal letters
written to editors, agents, work colleagues, friends, and fans. There is also one letter
written to Margaret Millar in 1945 while Kenneth Millar was serving at sea during the
Second World War. The letters include both originals and drafts, either autograph or
author's retained typewritten copies; all the letters are written by Kenneth Millar,
unless otherwise noted. Of the letters that are signed, the majority are signed Ken or
Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 15
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., contract for "The Far Side of the Dollar" by Ross
Macdonald
1964 April 24
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Signed, original contract, author's copy; also enclosed:
typewritten transmittal letter from Harold Ober Associates, May 5, 1964.
Box 3, Folder 16
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., contract for "The Instant Enemy" by Ross
Macdonald
approximately 1967
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Signed, original contract, author's copy.
Box 3, Folder 17
Robert R. Kirsch letter to Kenneth Millar; letter to Robert R.
Kirsch
1966 February-March
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 18
Letter to H. C. Branson
Scope and Contents
With envelope.
Box 3, Folder 19
Letters to Don Freeman
1956-1957
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Two autograph letters.
Box 3, Folder 20
Letters to Don Freeman and Lydia Freeman
1957 May-June
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Two autograph letters.
Box 3, Folder 21
Letter to Marc Jaffe
1968 July 27
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 22
Letter to Arthur Kaye
1970 November 7
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. A draft letter written at the time of the cremation of
Millar's daughter.
Box 3, Folder 23
Letters to Floyd Lowe
1957-1958
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Drafts of two letters.
Box 3, Folder 24
Letter to Margaret Millar
1945 February 25
Scope and Contents
Written while at sea.
Box 3, Folder 25
Letter to Paul Nelson
approximately 1989
Scope and Contents
Autograph, draft letter.
Box 3, Folder 26
Letters to Dorothy Olding
1970-1980
Scope and Contents
Autograph, draft letters; some are incomplete. Dorothy Olding was Millar's agent.
Box 3, Folder 27
Letter to Jack Smith
1970 August 17
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar and Ross Macdonald.
Box 3, Folder 28
Letters to Frank Stiling
1955 March-April
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. Two autograph letters.
Box 3, Folder 29
Letters to Harold Norling Swanson
1966 February-April
Scope and Contents
An autograph draft letter and typewritten author's retained copy.
Box 3, Folder 30
Letter to Mr. Yates
1955 January 10
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar.
Box 3, Folder 31
Letter to Marcie
1966 April 25
Scope and Contents
Signed: Kenneth Millar. An autograph, draft letter; sent to Millar's publisher's
rep.
Box 3, Folder 32
Margaret Millar letter to Mr. Seward
1945 March 15
Ephemera
Physical Description: 0.42 Linear
Feet
Box 4, Folder 1
Box lid and manila envelopes with autograph notes by Kenneth
Millar
before 1983
Box 4, Folder 2
Padded envelope with autograph note by Kenneth Millar
approximately 1972
Box 4, Folder 3
The Underground Man by Ross Macdonald: original slipcase box
undated
