McGuire, Harry, 1904-

Harry McGuire was born, January 18, 1904, in Denver. He had an early interest in hunting and fishing from his father. His father in the 1890s owned several hunting and fishing magazines, including Outdoor Life. Harry grew up in a wealthy family; as a teenager was active in writing, school plays and oratorical contests. He went to Notre Dame in 1921, and was president of the Scribblers Club. He graduated and returned to Denver, where he became Associate Editor, 1924-1929, of Outdoor Life, which had absorbed several other outdoor publications and had a circulation of 115,000.

In 1945 he moved to Santa Barbara. He became involved in Santa Barbara social life and organized the Santa Barbara Council of Arts, met UCSB Chancellor Vernon Cheadle, became friends and ultimately gave UCSB his house, $100,000 for its maintenance, and his books and papers.

Jay Monaghan apparently became acquainted with Harry McGuire as a member of the Board of the Council of Arts. The council had its monthly programs at the Coral Casino, Santa Barbara Academy of Music, the Art Gallery, and frequently in some members' Montecito mansions. Monaghan and McGuire would have shared similar experiences in the West of the early 20th century. Early in his writing career, Monaghan had submitted stories to Outdoor Life. Harry Aloysius McGuire died in Santa Barbara, February 1, 1966.

From the description of The Harry McGuire Collection, [ca. 1659-1980] (bulk dates 1910s-1966) (University of California, Santa Barbara). WorldCat record id: 714968004

Biography

See Jay Monaghan article in Soundings, Jan. 1979 (source for most of the following information):

Born, January 18, 1904, in Denver, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James/[John?] A. McGuire. Early interest in hunting and fishing from his father. Father in the 1890s owned several hunting and fishing magazines, including Outdoor Life . Harry grew up in a wealthy family; as a teenager was active in writing, school plays and oratorical contests. Went to Notre Dame in 1921, president of the Scribblers Club. Graduated and returned to Denver, where he became Associate Editor, 1924-1929, of Outdoor Life, which had absorbed several other outdoor publications and had a circulation of 115,000. Editor-in-chief, 1929, then stock market crash, and disagreement about future of the magazine with his father, who sold it.

Spent much of his time on hunting/fishing trips, but also went to Florence, Italy, for a year, studying and writing about art. Had come back to work on Outdoor Life for new owners but left again, determined to be an independent author in New York. Wrote a novel, two dramas, a musical comedy with black dancers, and published a financially extravagant magazine entitled Ringmaster: The World in Caricature, which folded after four issues.

After a number of other failed or short-lived mostly writing-related enterprises, in 1945 he moved to Santa Barbara, which he had visited at times while in Los Angeles (where his father had moved). He purchased a house at 2311 Garden Street in 1954. He became involved in SB social life, married and divorced, organized the Santa Barbara Council of Arts, met UCSB Chancellor Vernon Cheadle, became friends and ultimately gave UCSB his house, $100,000 for its maintenance, and his books and papers.

Monaghan apparently became acquainted with Harry as a member of the Board of the Council of Arts. Lawrence Willson also was a director. The Council had its monthly programs at the Coral Casino, Santa Barbara Academy of Music, the Art Gallery, and frequently in some member's Montecito mansion. Monaghan and McGuire also would have shared similar experiences in the West of the early 20th century, and early in his writing career, Monaghan had submitted stories to Outdoor Life .

Harry Aloysius McGuire died in Santa Barbara, Feb. 1, 1966.

From the guide to the Harry McGuire Collection, ca. 1659-1980, 1910s-1966, (University of California, Santa Barbara. Library. Dept. of Special Collections)