Vardis Fisher papers
Scope and Contents
The folder “Correspondence 1938 to 1940” contains letters from Vardis Fisher to a longtime fan Wheaton Brewer, written the fall between the publication of Fisher’s books Forgive Us Our Virtues (1938) and Children of God (1939).
Following the publication of the first five volumes of the Testament of Man series, Fisher could not find a publisher to complete the production of the series. Fisher finally contracted with Alan Swallow, a small-scale publisher in Denver, Colorado, but Fisher was required to manage distribution of the series. The folder “Correspondence 1955 to 1959” contains a few letters written by Vardis Fisher pertaining to the distribution of volumes eight through twelve of the Testament of Man series.
The folder “Advertising Materials and Criticism 1940-1960” contains literature promoting or in response to some of Fisher’s works: including a Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pamphlet in response to Children of God, a Testament of Man series promotional sheet by Alan Swallow, and national reviews of Pemmican compiled by Laurel Opal Holmes Fisher.
Dates
- 1938-1930
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 Vardis Fisher papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives Department Head.
Biographical Note
Vardis Fisher was born March 31, 1895 in Annis, Idaho. After graduating from Rigby High School and receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, he attended the University of Chicago, where he received a master and doctorate degrees in English. Following teaching at the University of Utah and New York University, Fisher returned to Idaho in 1931 to devote himself full-time to writing. During the Depression, he directed the Federal Writers’ Project in Idaho. While directing this project, Fisher met and married his third wife, Opal Laurel Holmes, who would become his chief promoter after his death. From 1943 to 1960, Fisher completed his Testament of Man series. He passed away July 8, 1968 in Jerome, Idaho.
Fisher’s 1928 novel Toilers of the Hill, placed him in the ranks of significant American writers. His most critically acclaimed works focused on the Rocky Mountain region of the West. He wrote prolifically, authoring or editing thirty-six books, including several historical novels and works of non-fiction, dozens of essays and stories and several hundred weekly opinion columns for various Idaho newspapers. Children of God
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1)
Abstract
Collection contains some personal papers of Vardis Fisher, including correspondence and responses to his works.
Arrangement
Arranged into one box and three folders.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were loose ephemera found in a set of first edition books by Fisher, which Special Collections and Archives purchased from a book dealer with financial support from the USU History Department in 2000.
Processing Information
Processed in April of 2010.
- Title
- Guide to the Vardis Fisher papers 1938-1960
- Author
- Finding aid/Register created by John Bumbaugh
- Date
- ©2011
- 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.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
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
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu