Robert R. Kirsch Papers, 1959-1967

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Kirsch, Robert R., 1922-1980
Abstract:
Robert R. Kirsch (1922-1980) was a journalist, lecturer and author. He worked as a reporter, feature writer and literary critic for various southern California newspapers, was a lecturer in journalism at UCLA (1953,1959-60,1961-72), dean of college at International Community College (Los Angeles) in 1971, and a executive story consultant for Universal Studios (1965-67). The collection consists of Kirsch's manuscripts, correspondence, illustrations, books, and ephemera. Manuscripts include The Jewish novel in America, In the wrong rain, Do not go gentle, The restless lovers, Inferno, Pandora's box, The wars of pardon, Knight of the scimitar, Shedding light on the mysteries of astrology, and West of the West. There are also master proofs of Burn, baby, burn: The Los Angeles race riot and captions for photographs for Burn, baby, burn.
Extent:
11 boxes (5.5 linear ft.) 1 oversize box
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of manuscripts, correspondence, illustrations, books, and ephemera of author Robert R. Kirsch, who also wrote under the pen name of Robert Dundee and Robert Bancroft. Manuscripts include The Jewish novel in America, In the wrong rain, Do not go gentle, The restless lovers, Inferno, Pandora's box, The wars of pardon, Knight of the scimitar, Shedding light on the mysteries of astrology, and West of the West. Also includes master proofs of Burn, baby, burn: The Los Angeles race riot, by Jerry Cohen and William S. Murphy (introduction by Kirsch). Finding aid contains captions for photographs for Burn, baby, burn.

Biographical / historical:

Kirsch was born on October 18, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York; BA (1949), MA (1951), and C.Phil. (1970), UCLA; reporter for Merced sun-star (1940) and United press (1946-51); reporter and feature writer for Citizen news, Hollywood, California (1947-52); staff member, then literary critic, Los Angeles times (1951-80); lecturer in journalism, UCLA (1953,1959-60,1961-72); became dean of college at International Community College (Los Angeles) in 1971; executive story consultant, Universal Studios, 1965-67; books include In the wrong rain (1958), The wars of pardon (1965), and West of the West: witnesses to the California experience, 1542-1906 (anthology written with William S. Murphy, 1968); also wrote The restless lovers (1960), Pandora's box (1961), and Inferno (1962) under the pseudonym of Robert Dundee, and The Castillian rose (1961) and Knight of the scimitar (1965) under the pseudonym of Robert Bancroft; he died on August 16, 1980 in Santa Barbara, California.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Robert R. Kirsch, 1959-1968.

Gift of Jerry Cohen, 1967-68.

Gift of William S. Murphy, 1967-68.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. The Jewish novel in America, In the wrong rain, Do not go gentle, The restless lovers (Box 1).
  2. Miscellaneous notes, ephemera, and correspondence (Box 1).
  3. Inferno, Pandora's box, The wars of pardon (Boxes 2-3).
  4. Burn, baby, burn (introduction), Knight of the scimitar, astrology article (Boxes 4, 11).
  5. West of the West (Boxes 5-11).
  6. Photographs for West of the West and Burn, baby, burn (Box 12).

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988