Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- George H. McMurry (1898-1975) was a writer and journalist who studied with Wallace Stegner at Stanford and later worked for Stanford Libraries. He was born in India to Methodist missionary parents.
- Extent:
- 5 Linear Feet (11 boxes)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], George McMurry Papers (M0309). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection contains material related to McMurry's writing career and studies at Stanford; biographical research & writing about author and illustrator Mary Hallock Foote (1847-1938) as well as other California historical topics; and correspondence and printed material related to the McMurry family and missionary work. The collection also contains many photographic prints, slides and negatives, mostly depicting family and India.
- Biographical / historical:
-
George Harold McMurry was born in Bombay (Mumbai), India on November 14, 1898, the son of American missionaries Valentine G. McMurry and Celia Ferries McMurry. He received his B.A. degree in 1921 from College of the Pacific where he studied English and History. He served in the Air Service during WWI and in the Air Corps during WWII. McMurry was married, had two daughters, and lived in San Jose, California. For over 20 years he worked as reporter, feature writer, and editorial writer, first with the San Jose Evening News and later with the Mercury-Herald. His first published work appeared in 1933 entitled History of San Jose, co-authored by William F. James.
From 1951 to 1960, McMurry was associated with the Stanford Univer- sity English Department. He completed the PhD course work and taught Freshman English and Creative Writing on a half-time basis. During this time he completed his novel The Call to Murralla while on a year Saxton Fellowship from Harper's. In 1961 McMurry was hired by the Stanford University Libraries to work in the Circulation Division. At the same time, his recent novel was enjoying a good deal of recognition. McMurry died in 1975.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of George H. McMurry, ca. 1975.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- American literature -- 20th century.
Missionaries -- India -- History
Authors, American -- 20th century - Names:
- Stanford University. Creative Writing Program
McMurray, George H. (George Harold)
Foote, Mary Hallock
McMurry, V. G. (Valentine G.)
Stegner, Wallace, 1909-1993 - Places:
- Santa Clara County (Calif.) -- History.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
- Terms of access:
-
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], George McMurry Papers (M0309). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022