Eugene Cunningham Papers, 1915-1958

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Summary

Creators:
Cunningham, Eugene, 1896-1957.
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of Western fiction writer Eugene Cunningham (1896-1957) and includes twelve manuscripts of the works of Cunningham and others, correspondence with friends and other writers of Western lore, five scrapbooks, and 250 photographs (chiefly photographic reproductions of of Western figures).
Extent:
Approximately 6,000 pieces in 21 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains the papers of Western fiction writer Eugene Cunningham (1896-1957) and includes manuscripts of the works of Cunningham and others, correspondence with friends and other writers of Western lore, five scrapbooks, and 250 photographs. There are twelve bound typescript manuscripts of Cunningham's work, with handwritten corrections. Within the correspondence, there are 21 letters from Western writer Eugene Manlove Rhodes and 104 letters from Rhodes's wife, May Louise (Davison) Purple Rhodes, as well as 12 letters from General Thomas Cruse, who was with the United States Army in Arizona during the Indian campaigns and wrote Apache Days and After. The photographs are chiefly of Western figures (many reproduced from the collection of Noah H. Rose of San Antonio, Texas).

Biographical / historical:

Eugene L. Cunningham (1896-1957), author of Western fiction and other works, grew up in Texas, served in the Navy during both World Wars, and began writing in 1915. He was a correspondent for various newspapers and magazines and made a trip on horseback and on foot over Central America. After 1932 he wrote mainly Southwestern history and fiction, such as Triggernometry, Riders of the Night, etc.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Mrs. Eugene Cunningham, June, 1959.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following 5 series:

  • I. Manuscripts
    • Bound volumes of typescripts of books by Cunningham
    • Unbound manuscripts
  • II. Correspondence
  • III. Personal Papers
  • IV. Scrapbooks
  • V. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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