Skip to main content

Anna Marie Smith papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 540

Scope and Contents

This collection includes papers from several individuals, all interacting with Anna Marie Smith through letter writing and sharing the literature that they were producing while they were writing. The papers range in date from 1940 to 2002, the year prior to Anna Marie Smith's death. The letters between Smith and her correspondents shows how close her relationship was with several authors of children's literature, the West, and poetry. Of particular interest, Anna Marie Smith had in her possession a draft manuscript of Ann Nolan Clark's autobiography that has never been published. That is found in Box 1, Folders 6-8 in this collection. There is also a manuscript draft, likely James Ayars' never published manuscript, "Bertha's House, or Keep the Exits Clear." Smith's correspondence over more than forty years with Virginia Sorensen is also of interest as it provides detailed information about Sorensen's travels and activities over the course of five decades.

Dates

  • Creation: 1940-2002

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Anna Marie Smith papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Anna Marie Smith was born July 28, 1906. She became close friends with Virginia Sorensen in the late 1930s while both of their husbands worked at the State Teacher's College in Terre Haute, Indiana. Anna Marie would write to Virginia Sorensen, Ann Nolan Clark, Rodello Hunter, editors of major book publishers, and other authors throughout her life. Anna Marie and her husband Hubert eventually settled in Phoenix, Arizona, where Anna Marie passed away in 2003.

Extent

2 boxes (0.75 linear feet)

Abstract

Anna Marie Smith and her husband, Hubert W., lived in Logan during the 1950s and 1960s, both possibly teaching at USU. Anna Marie became well-acquainted with a number of influential writers, including Rodello Hunter, Ann Nolan Clark, and Virginia Sorensen. This collection contains Anna Marie's correspondence and collected files from these authors and others.

Arrangement

This collection is generally arranged by correspondent.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Anna Marie Smith papers were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Janice Melton Knotter in 2018.

Related Materials

Ann Nolan Clark drafts, COLL MSS 23

Marie Anton Thurman papers, COLL MSS 84

Bibliography

Processing Information

Processed in May of 2018

Title
Guide to Anna Marie Smith papers 1940-2002
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Colby Townsend and Clint Pumphrey
Date
©2018
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)