Ned Brown papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the professional papers of Ned Brown, a literary agent in the second half of the twentieth century. The papers include correspondence, business records, play scripts, newspaper and magazine clippings, and other miscellaneous papers concerning his clients. These materials relate to his work with writing contracts for various plays and movies, including the contract for the screenplay of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
Dates
- approximately 1951-1992
Creator
- Brown, Ned (creator, Person)
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 the Ned Brown papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Ned Brown (1911-1996) was a literary agent in Los Angeles, California.
Ned Brown was born August 26, 1911. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, Brown started his own literary agency, Ned Brown Associated. He married Myra Berry in 1942 while she was working as a writers' secretary at Hollywood motion picture studios. Shortly after they were married, Brown enlisted in the Navy and his wife took over his offices while he was gone. They had three children: Lorna, Betsy, and Jonathon. Ned ran MCA's literary division until its dismantle in 1963 and then started his own business, the Ned Brown Agency. Over the years, Brown represented several authors and screenwriters including Sherwood Anderson, Carlos Castaneda, Jackie Collins, Robert Heinlein, Paul Callico, and John Michael Hayes. Brown died on August 9, 1996 after a protracted illness.
Extent
31 cartons (31 linear ft.)
4 boxes (2 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged in two series: 1. Ned Brown client files and contracts, 1951-1992. 2. Ned Brown play scripts, approximately 1970s-1980s.
Custodial History
Donated by Ned Brown in various installments starting in 1989.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Ned Brown; 1989, 1991, 1993.
Appraisal
Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, II.B.5.VI).
Processing Information
Processed; Melissa Cowles, student processor and John Murphy, curator; 2008.
- Title
- Register of Ned Brown papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Melissa Cowles, student processor and John Murphy, curator
- Date
- 2008
- 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.
Revision Statements
- 2011 October 20: Series level description added by Garrett Schroath.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States