The collection contains literary manuscripts, family papers, business papers, correspondence, clippings and photographs by or related to Eugene Manlove Rhodes.

Eugene Manlove Rhodes (1869-1934) was a novelist and short-story writer known as the “cowboy chronicler.” He was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska, but moved with his parents to New Mexico in 1881. Although mainly self-educated as a young man, Rhodes attended the University of the Pacific in California from 1888, although financial difficulties forced him to withdraw by 1890. He had begun publishing anonymous pieces in the school newspaper, and from 1910-1934 published seven novels and a number of short stories. Rhodes’ novels include Good men and true (1910), West is west (1917), Copper streak trail (1922) and Beyond the desert (1934), and of his several novelettes, Paso por aqui (1926) has been singled out as his masterpiece.He married Mary Louisa Davison Purple in 1899 and lived in California and New York before returning to New Mexico in 1926. For a time Rhodes lived in a house at White Mountain given to him by Albert Bacon Fall. By 1930 the Rhodes had moved to Pacific Beach, California, due to Eugene’s failing health. He died in 1934 and was buried in the San Andres Mountains.

Approx. 2,270 items

In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials, researchers must obtain formal permission from the office of the Library Director. In most instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical property rights only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary rights. In some instances, the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the physical property rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate curator for further information.

Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, please go to following web site.