R.M. Ballantyne papers, 1876-1893

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Summary

Creators:
Ballantyne, R.M. (Robert Michael)
Abstract:
R.M. Ballantyne (1825-1894) was a apprentice clerk with Hudson's Bay Company in Manitoba, Canada. He requested a wilderness post, and was sent to posts along the north shore of the St. Lawrence (1846-47). His recollections were published in 1848 and titled Hudson's Bay; or, every-day life in the wilds of North America. He wrote more than 90 books, many of them adventure stories. He was also a draftsman and water-colorist who exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, and he illustrated many of his books. The collection consists of manuscripts, correspondence, and a scrapbook with pictures of Ballantyne, clippings about him, and an article copied by Westley about Ballantyne.
Extent:
1.0 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], R.M. Ballantyne Papers (Collection 321). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of manuscripts, five letters from Ballantyne to various persons, a letter by Ballantyne to the Reverend J.C. Westley, and a scrapbook with pictures of Ballantyne, clippings about him, and an article copied by Westley about Ballantyne. Manuscripts include Dusty diamonds cut and polished: a tale of city-Arab life and adventure; The garret and the garden: or, low life high up; Hunted and harried: a tale of the Scottish Covenanters; Post haste: a tale of Her Majesty's mails; Under the waves: or, diving in deep waters; and The walrus hunters: a romance of the realms of ice.

Biographical / historical:

Ballantyne was born on April 24, 1825 in Edinburgh, Scotland; became apprentice clerk with Hudson's Bay Company in Manitoba, Canada; requested a wilderness post, and was sent to posts along the north shore of the St. Lawrence, 1846-47; following his return to Scotland in 1847, a woman who had enjoyed Ballantyne's letters to his mother offered to finance a private printing of his recollections; this led to the publication in 1848 of Hudson's Bay; or, every-day life in the wilds of North America; wrote more than 90 books, many of them adventure stories; he was also a draftsman and water-colorist who exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, and he illustrated many of his books; publications include Snowflakes and sunbeams; or, the young fur traders (1856) and Ungava: a tale of Esquimaux-land (1858) and An author's adventures, or personal reminiscences in bookmaking (1893); he died February 8, 1894 in Rome.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Harriett S. Weaver, 1986.
Processing information:

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Physical location:
Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], R.M. Ballantyne Papers (Collection 321). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

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