Henry Clay Branson Salisbury plain typescript and correspondence, circa 1962-1965

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Summary

Creators:

Abstract:

This material comprises an unbound typescript of Branson's Salisbury Plain and correspondence between Branson and author Kenneth Millar (also known by his pseudonym Ross Macdonald), consisting of 24 holograph and typescript letters written between 1963 and 1966. These letters concern Millar's revisions and editorial comments, the subsequent publication of the book, and its reception by the public. The typescript contains Branson's holograph annotations, incorporating Millar's editorial comments as detailed in 16 pages of holograph notes included with the correspondence. Many of Millar's suggestions documented here were incorporated into the final text of Salisbury Plain, first published in 1965. Branson composed this Civil War novel largely between 1958 and 1959. E.P. Dutton and Co., Inc., of New York accepted Branson's revised typescripts for publication in 1964.

Extent:

0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

Henry Clay Branson Salisbury Plain typescript and correspondence. MS-L018. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

The donor to UC Irvine, Donald A. Yates, is a scholar of Latin American literature who was a close friend of the Bransons and the Millars.

Biographical / historical:

Henry Clay Branson was the author of a number of crime novels written primarily during the 1940s and 1950s featuring detective John Bent, including The Pricking Thumb and The Leaden Bubble. Salisbury Plain was one of his later works. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1904, and received his B.A. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1937. He died in 1981.

His correspondent, Kenneth Millar (1915-1983), was well known by his pseudonym Ross Macdonald. He was the author of twelve classic novels of detective fiction. His extensive writings include reviews, short stories, poetry, plays, screenplays, and essays. In the 1940s, Millar met and befriended Branson and his wife Anna. The Bransons and Millar were active correspondents through the 1970s.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Donald A. Yates, 2001.

Processing information:

Processed by Adrian Turner in 2001.

Indexed terms

Subjects:: American fiction -- 20th century -- Sources
Authors
Names:: Millar, Kenneth
Yates, Donald A.
Branson, H.C. (Henry C.)
Places:: United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction

Access and use

Restrictions:: Collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.