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Ora Pate Stewart papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 6046

Scope and Contents

Contains the personal and professional papers of Ora Pate Stewart, including correspondence, journals, notes, research files, literary manuscripts, artwork, financial records, photographs, and other related papers that document the literary and creative endeavors of Ora Pate Stewart. All of her works relate to her personal thoughts and concerns, her family and friend relationships, and her love of Utah nature, history, and the Mormon religion. Dated approximately 1881-1995.

Dates

  • approximately 1881-1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Ora Pate Stewart papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Other than the incorporation of fair-use excerpts into published scholarly work, no part of the Ora Pate Stewart Archives may be published without the prior written approval Ora Pate Stewart's family.

Biographical History

Ora Pate Stewart (1910-1990) was an accomplished Mormon author.

Ora Pate Stewart was born August 23, 1910 in Teton Basin, Idaho, to Ezra Greenwood and Ada Rosella Sharp Pate. She married Robert W. Stewart on October 13, 1935 in Ann Arbor, Michigan (later solemnized in the Logan temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint). Her husband was in the Air Force and they lived in 38 states during his career. They had four sons and two daughters together. Her writing career began very young, as she wrote her first song at age four, story at age seven, verses at age nine, and published at age ten. During her life she wrote twenty-nine books, fourteen of which became bestsellers, four poetry books, and composed more than two-hundred pieces of music. As if this does not attest to her ability as an accomplished writer, her books have been translated into as many as seventeen languages. She received many awards and honors, including (but not limited to): Best Book in 1946; first runner-up in California Mother of the Year; first woman invited to speak at the Westminster Abbey; she was honored at the White House by four different presidents; she served as the Biblical advisor to Cecil B. DeMille on the Ten Commandments; and received seven honorary doctorates. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she served three ecclesiastical missions in the Eastern United States, England, and Michigan. She died February 10, 1990 and was interred in the Provo City Cemetery.

Extent

9 cartons (9 linear ft.)

1 folder (0.01 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arranged in five series: 1. Ora Pate Stewart personal papers and memorabilia, approximately 1930-1995. 2. Ora Pate Stewart correspondence, approximately 1939-1995. 3. Ora Pate Stewart authored works, approximately 1930-1980. 4. Ora Pate Stewart photographs, approximately 1881-1970. 5. Ora Pate Stewart artifacts, approximately 1930-1995.

Custodial History

Donated by Ora Pate Stewart in 1989.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Ora Pate Stewart; 1989.

Appraisal

LDS, Utah, and Western American women (Collection development policy for 20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts, August 2007).

Processing Information

Processed; Melissa Cowles, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2008.

Title
Register of Ora Pate Stewart papers
Status
Completed
Author
Karen Glenn and Melissa Cowles, student processors, and John M. Murphy, curator
Date
2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States