Colin Wilson papers
Finding aid prepared by Melissa Huntington.
Special Collections & University Archives
The UCR Library
P.O. Box 5900
University of California
Riverside, California 92517-5900
Phone: 951-827-3233
Fax: 951-827-4673
Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu
URL: http://library.ucr.edu/libraries/special-collections-university-archives
© 2010
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
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.
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.
Access
This collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Colin Wilson papers (MS 190). Special Collections & University Archives, University
of California, Riverside.
Acquisition Information
Provenance unknown.
Processing History
Processed by Melissa Huntington, 2010.
Biographical Note
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.
Chronology
| 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.
|
Collection Scope and Contents
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.
Collection Arrangement
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.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Wilson, Colin, 1931-2013
Geller, Uri, 1946-
Authors
Science fiction
Genres and Forms of Materials
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence
Galley proofs
Manuscripts
Series 1. Correspondence
1966-1981, undated
Series Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of typed and handwritten correspondence primarily between Colin Wilson and June O'Shea. Also includes
correspondence between Colin Wilson and others regarding the development and publication of Wilson's literary works.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.
Box 2, Folder 3
Correspondence to June O'Shea from Colin Wilson and other individuals
1973-1975
Box 2, Folder 4
Correspondence to June O'Shea from Colin Wilson and other individuals
1976-1981
Box 2, Folder 5
Correspondence to Colin Wilson
1974-1980, undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Correspondence to June O'Shea from Colin Wilson regarding Wilson's essay on Humanistic Psychology
1975 August 30
Box 2, Folder 6
Correspondence to Colin Wilson from the Psychological Service Associates regarding Wilson's essay for the book
The Challenge of Humanistic Psychology
1966 March 23
Box 2, Folder 6
Correspondence to June O'Shea regarding an interview with Colin Wilson in
Oui
undated
Series 2. Galley proofs
1967-1975, undated
Series Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of printed galley proofs of Colin Wilson's literary works. Includes the galley proof for
The Unexplained as well as several other essay's Wilson wrote for various publications.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 2
Galley proof of
The Unexplained (photocopy/hand annotated)
June 1975
Box 2, Folder 6
Galley proof of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "An Introduction to James Drought" from the
Los Angeles Times Calendar Magazine
1967 January 15
Box 2, Folder 6
Galley proof of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "Dual Value Response...A New Key to Nietzsche" (hand annotated)
1973 August 7
Box 2, Folder 6
Galley proof of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "Civilization and Individual Fulfillment" from the
Philosophy Forum
1973
Box 2, Folder 6
Galley proof of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "A Writer's Prospect - II" (photocopy)
undated
Series 3. Manuscripts
1965-1978, undated
Series Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of typed and hand annotated manuscripts of Colin Wilson's literary works. Included here are manuscripts
for chapters in
The Unexplained,
Lulu , and
The Order of Assassins as well as a complete manuscript for the book,
The Schoolgirl Murder Case. Manuscripts regarding Israeli paranormalist Uri Geller are also included.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 1
Manuscript of the introduction to
The Faces of Evil; 84 pages (typed/hand annotated)
February 1976
Box 1, Folder 3
Manuscript of
The Unexplained; chapters 1-5, 68 pages (typed/hand annotated)
February 1976
Box 1, Folder 4
Manuscript of
Lulu; chapter 1, 18 pages, page 14 is not included (typed/hand annotated)
June 1976
Box 1, Folder 5
Manuscript of
Lulu; chapter 5, pages 93-117 (typed/hand annotated)
undated
Box 1, Folder 6
Manuscript regarding Israeli paranormalist Uri Geller; 17 pages (typed)
undated
Box 1, Folder 7
Manuscript of
The Path of the Dragon; chapter 3, 166 pages (typed/hand annotated)
September 1976
Box 1, Folder 8
Manuscript of the introduction to
Mysteries (typed/hand annotated)
undated
Box 1, Folder 9
Manuscript of "Giants and Witches" from
Mysteries;chapter 2, pages 78-123 (typed/hand annotated)
undated
Box 1, Folder 10
Manuscript of "The Curious History of Human Stupidity" from
Mysteries; part 2, pages 221-278 (typed/hand annotated)
undated
Box 1, Folder 11
Manuscript of "How Many Me's Are There?" from
Mysteries ; pages 267-315 (photocopy/typed/hand annotated)
February 1978
Box 1, Folder 13
Manuscript of
The Geller Phenomenon; chapters 2-6 (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 14
Manuscript of
Order of Assassins; pages 1-150 (hand annotated)
undated
Box 1, Folder 15
Manuscript of
Order of Assassins; pages 151-365 (typed/hand annotated)
undated
Box 2, Folder 1
Manuscript of
The Schoolgirl Murder Case; approximately 301 pages (typed/hand annotated)
1974
Box 2, Folder 2
Manuscript of the introduction to book on W. Reich; approximately 29 pages (typed/hand annotated)
February 1978
Box 2, Folder 6
Manuscript of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "The Magic Pendulum" from
Psychic Eye
December 1975
Box 2, Folder 6
Manuscript of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "Cranks and Weirdies" from
Cavalier
May 1965
Box 2, Folder 6
Manuscript of an essay by Colin Wilson titled "Evolutionary Humanism and the New Psychology" (hand annotated)
undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Manuscript of article by Colin Wilson titled "Comments on Boredom" (typed/hand annotated)
undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Manuscript of the interview with Colin Wilson featured in
Oui (typed)
undated
Series 4. Notes, press clippings, and other material
1973-1998, undated
Series Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of notes, press clippings, and other material regarding Colin Wilson. Includes film notes, press
clippings on psychology and social behaviorism, an autobiographical essay by Bruce Boston, and a dust jacket for the book
The Space Vampires.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 12
Notes regarding a film tentatively titled
Journey to the End of Night; 20 pages
undated
Box 1, Folder 13
Notes regarding story outline and film project shooting schedule for the
Geller Effect (photocopy)
undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Publication titled
Oui, containing interview with Colin Wilson titled "Conversation with Colin Wilson"
December 1973
Box 2, Folder 6
Press clipping featuring review of Colin Wilson's book
Mysteries from the
Los Angeles Times Book Review (photocopy)
1978 December 24
Box 2, Folder 6
Press clipping featuring review by Colin Wilson of
Views from the Real World Early Talks of Gurdjieff as Recollected by his Pupils from
The Spectator (photocopy)
1974 March 2
Box 2, Folder 6
Press clipping featuring review by Colin Wilson of
Strong Opinions (photocopy)
undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Press clipping featuring review by Colin Wilson of
The Romeo Error from
The Spectator (photocopy)
1974 October 26
Box 2, Folder 6
Press clipping featuring review of Colin Wilson's book,
Strange Powers (photocopy)
undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Press clipping featuring review of Colin Wilson's book,
The Space Vampires from the
Herald Examiner
undated
Box 2, Folder 7
Dust jacket of Colin Wilson novel,
The Space Vampires (hand annotated on inner sleeve)
May 1976
Box 2, Folder 7
Brochure for A&W Visual Library, includes description of Colin Wilson's book
The Faces of Evil, including brief description and publication information
1976
Box 2, Folder 7
Press clipping featuring review of
Messengers of Deception by Jacques Vallee reviewed by Dennie Stacy from the
San Antonio Star (photocopy)
undated
Box 2, Folder 7
Press clipping featuring review of
The New Psychology: New Image of Man from the
Los Angeles Times (photocopy)
1975 April 6
Box 2, Folder 7
Press clipping of article titled
Abraham Maslow: Father of Humanistic Psychology (photocopy)
undated
Box 2, Folder 7
Autobiographical essay "Fifteen Explanations in Search of a Life" by Bruce Boston from volume 30 of
Contemporary Authors: Autobiography Series (signed off-print)
1998
Box 2, Folder 7
Press clipping of article on Colin Wilson titled "Colin Wilson: Wer bin ich?" (photocopy)
undated
