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Colin Wilson papers
MS 190
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Title: Colin Wilson papers
Date (inclusive): 1965-1998, undated.
Date (bulk): 1973-1980
Collection Number: MS 190
Creator:
O'Shea, June
Extent:
0.83 linear feet
(2 boxes)
Repository:
Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.
Riverside, CA 92517-5900
Abstract: This collection is comprised of correspondence, galley proofs, manuscripts, press clippings, and other material pertaining
to the works of English literary figure Colin Wilson between the years 1965-1998. Includes correspondence between Colin Wilson
and June O'Shea, galley proofs and manuscripts of Wilson's works in the science fiction genre, manuscripts and other material
regarding Israeli paranormalist Uri Geller, press clippings of book reviews by Wilson, and manuscripts of interviews with
Wilson.
Languages: The collection is in English.
This collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the University of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives.
Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission
of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable
rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Colin Wilson papers (MS 190). Special Collections & University Archives, University
of California, Riverside.
Provenance unknown.
Processed by Melissa Huntington, 2010.
Colin Wilson is a British novelist and writer of science fiction, true crime, and literary criticism. Wilson was born in Leicester,
England on June 26, 1931 to Arthur and Anetta Wilson. His mother's love for books served as an early influence on Wilson and
a science fiction magazine given to him at a young age by his grandfather sparked his interest in the genre for which he would
publish multiple novels.
At the age of sixteen Wilson quit school and began work at various jobs including a coffee house in Paris where he began writing
what would become his first published book,
The Outsider. In 1956
The Outsider was published and met with high critical acclaim which instantly catapulted him to literary stardom. He quickly became associated
with the "Angry Young Men," a British literary group, because of his depiction of social alienation in
The Outsider. While Wilson's first literary effort was critically acclaimed, praise eventually turned sour as Wilson's next efforts were
met with negative reviews. In 1960-1961, the critics turned back in favor of Wilson with the publication of
Ritual in the Dark and
Adrift in Soho.
Colin Wilson has gone on to become a prolific novelist in both fiction (science fiction) and non-fiction (true crime). He
is also an accomplished essayist that has contributed to numerous literary journals. In 2004, Wilson's autobiography titled
Dreaming to Some Purpose was published and typical to Wilson's career was received with a range of praise and negativity from critics.
| 1931 | Born in Leicester, England on June 26th. |
| 1951 | Married Dorothy Betty Troop and the couple had one son. |
| 1956 | The Outsider is published and met with high critical acclaim. |
| 1960 | Ritual in the Dark was published. |
| 1961 | Married Pamela "Joy" Stewart after his divorce from Dorothy and the couple went on to have two children. |
| 1961 | Adrift in Soho was published. |
| 1962-2003 | The breadth of Wilson's literary work was published in this time frame. |
| 2004 | Published autobiography Dreaming to Some Purpose. |
This collection is comprised of correspondence, galley proofs, manuscripts, press clippings, and other material pertaining
to the works of English literary figure Colin Wilson between the years 1965-1998. Includes correspondence between Colin Wilson
and June O'Shea, galley proofs and manuscripts of Wilson's works in the science fiction genre, manuscripts and other material
regarding Israeli paranormalist Uri Geller, press clippings of book reviews by Wilson, and manuscripts of interviews with
Wilson.
This collection is arranged into four series as follows:
- Series 1. Correspondence, 1966-1981, undated.
- Series 2. Galley proofs, 1967-1975, undated.
- Series 3. Manuscripts, 1965-1978, undated
- Series 4. Notes, press clippings, and other material, 1973-1998, undated.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Wilson, Colin, 1931-2013
Geller, Uri, 1946-
Authors
Science fiction
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence
Galley proofs
Manuscripts