Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
McMurry, George H. papers
M0309
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: George H. McMurry papers
Identifier/Call Number: M0309
Identifier/Call Number: 2577
Physical Description:
5 Linear Feet
(11 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1890-1975
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.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of George H. McMurry, ca. 1975.
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.
[identification of item], George McMurry Papers (M0309). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries,
Stanford, Calif.
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.
Selected photographic negatives from this collection are separated and housed in MSS PHOTO 0100 General Photograph Collection.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American literature -- 20th century.
Santa Clara County (Calif.) -- History.
Missionaries -- India -- History
Authors, American -- 20th century
McMurray, George H. (George Harold)
Foote, Mary Hallock
McMurry, V. G. (Valentine G.)
Stegner, Wallace, 1909-1993
Stanford University. Creative Writing Program