Lloyd Alexander book manuscripts and adaptations, 1955-2007

Sub-Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 5 Sub-Series 3

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

Subseries includes a number of book manuscripts in various stages of creation, including beginning notes and ideas, multiple drafts, correspondence with publishers, layout proofs, reviews, and fan mail; and it includes some advance reading copies. There are thirty different book titles, including both adult and children's books. Book titles include: Fifty Years in the Doghouse, Janine, Eden, The Beautiful Children, The Physiology of Taste, Supper Money (And Let the Credit Go), Park Avenue Vet, Janine is French, My Love Affair with Music, Flagship Hope: Aaron Lopex, Border Hawk: August Bondi, The Fortune Tellers, Nine Lives (Time Cat), Legend of the 7th Wall, Max MondroschThe Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian, The Rope Trick, The Iron Ring, Gypsy Rizka, The Arkadians, The Gawgon and the Boy, The Xanadu Adventure, The Golden Dream of Carlo ChuchioThe House Gobbaleen, and How the Cat Swallowed Thunder.

Also included are additional advanced reading copies of The Illyrian Adventure, The El Dorado Adventure, The Drackenberg Adventure, The Jedera Adventure, and The Philadelphia Adventure.

The subseries includes a number of other formats of books, including the scripts, correspondence, photographs, video recordings, Braille versions, microfilm copies, recorded audio adaptations, and publications about several books. These include a radio script for The Gawgon and the Boy, stage adaptations for The Wizard in the Tree and The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man, an opera of The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen, and microfilm copies of manuscripts of The Black Cauldron, Taran Wanderer, The High King, and The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian. Audio adaptations for several other books include a 35mm slide adaptation with sound of The King's Fountain and audio book recordings for The Philadelphia Adventure, The Beggar Queen in Swedish, The High King, The Two Brothers, The Tale of the Bronze Bowl, The Book of Three, The First Two Lives of Lukas Kasha, and a book from the Prydain Chronicles in Swedish.

Dates

Other: 1955-2007

Creator

Alexander, Lloyd (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 use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical History

From the Collection:

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was a children's book author from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1924. He spent his childhood in the nearby suburb of Drexel Hill and lived there most of his life. Alexander graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1940. His parents would not allow him to be a writer, so he worked for a local bank in Philadelphia. Once he had saved some money, he quit and went to a local college before quitting after one semester. Looking for adventure, he served in the US Army in World War II, which included spending time in Wales to train. The landscape, language, and castles made a great impression and would later become the setting of so many of his books. He served in the army for a time in Paris, before being discharged to attend the University of Paris. At the same time, he met Janine, a beautiful Parisian, whom he married in 1946. Alexander moved back to Drexel Hill with Janine and her daughter Madeline.

Alexander worked as an advertisement writer, layout artist, cartoonist, and assistant editor while he tried to get his novels published. It took seven years before his first book was published. He spent the following ten years writing for adults before turning to young adult novels. He won the Newbery Honor Medal for The Black Cauldron and the Newbery Medal for The High King. Series and books by Alexander include the Prydain Chronicles, the Westmark Trilogy, the Vesper Holly Adventures, and over twenty other young adult novels, five adult novels, and four French translations. Alexander's other hobbies include music, cats, and drawing. He played the violin and was a devoted fan of Mozart. Alexander died May 17, 2007--just two weeks after Janine died.

Extent

9 cartons

3 oversize folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement note

The subseries is split between adult, children's books, and alternative formats, and is arranged in the order of the books listed above.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note

Special equipment required to access 35mm slides, microfilm, audio cassettes, and VHS video tapes.

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

BYU Library - Special Collections