Ross and Rosalie Thomas papers, 1837-2017, bulk 1960-2017

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Thomas, Ross, 1926-1995 and Thomas, Rosalie Appleton, 1933-2021
Extent:
11 linear feet (7 cartons, 2 boxes, 2 flat boxes, 2 cardfile boxes, 1 oversize folder)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Ross and Rosalie Thomas papers, BANC MSS 2022/221, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The Ross and Rosalie Thomas papers comprise manuscripts of several novels, including a corrected copy of The Cold War Swap and galleys for a series of reprints published in 2003-2004, screenplays, book reviews and opinion pieces by Ross Thomas, book reviews of Thomas' books, correspondence, publisher's contracts, academic and military records, family history, obituaries, diaries, photographs, audio recordings of interviews, and Ross' two Edgar awards. The collection also contains extensive files regarding the Old Topanga Fire, including insurance documents, FEMA documents, and plans for the reconstruction of the home that was destroyed in the fire.

Biographical / historical:

Ross Elmore Thomas (born February 19, 1926, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; died December 18, 1995, Santa Monica, California) was an American crime writer, best known for his political thrillers. His first novel, The Cold War Swap, introducing his series characters McCorkle and Padillo, was written in only six weeks and won the 1967 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. His novel, Briarpatch earned the 1985 Edgar for Best Novel. During his career, he published 20 novels under his own name and another 5 novels under the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck. In addition, he wrote many screenplays for both television and film. Thomas served with the U.S. Infantry during World War II, and afterwards he graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1949. In the decade that followed, he worked in public relations for the National Farmers Union, and then founded his own public relations firm, Stapp, Thomas, and Wade, which specialized in political campaigns. Eventually he moved on to become a reporter for the Armed Forces Network in Germany, and following that he lived in Nigeria for a time while he worked as a representative for the Ford Foundation. When he returned to the United States in 1961, he worked as a union spokesperson for the American Federation for State, County, and Municipal Employees, and settled in Washington, D.C. In the early 1970s he met Rosalie Appleton and following their marriage in 1974, they moved to Malibu, California, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Ross and Rosalie Thomas were invited to a White House dinner with President Bill Clinton (who was a fan) and traveled the world together. In 1993, they lost their home to the Old Topanga Fire, which began on November 2 and burned over 16,500 acres around Malibu.

Rosalie Appleton Thomas (born November 24, 1933, New York; died August 24, 2021, Malibu, California) ended her formal education after the 3rd grade. She was an autodidact who grew up to hold jobs at the Library of Congress and at the UCLA Biomedical Library. Although not an author herself, Rosalie was descended from authors and publishers on both sides of her family. With her mother, author and activist Caroline Dawes Appleton, she traveled extensively during her youth. She continued her world travels with her husband, Ross Thomas. Rosalie was a prolific keeper of diaries and she wrote detailed accounts of her life with Ross.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Roberta Kent/Ross E. Thomas, Inc.; 2022.
Processing information:

Processed by Randal Brandt and Sterling Kinnell at the folder level.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies.

Preferred citation:

Ross and Rosalie Thomas papers, BANC MSS 2022/221, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
Website