Curwood, James Oliver, 1878-1927

Popular novelist of outdoor adventure stories.

From the description of James Oliver Curwood papers, 1897-1927 [microform]. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420401

Owosso (Mich.) novelist and member of the Michigan Conservation Commission.

From the description of Correspondence, Jan. 24, 1927. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 12270231

Novelist from Owosso, Michigan, member of the Michigan Conservation Commission.

From the description of James Oliver Curwood papers, 1897-1927. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421190

The papers, 1897-1927, of James Oliver Curwood include correspondence; scrapbooks; and manuscripts of articles, books, and movie scenarios. The correspondence, arranged chronologically, deals primarily with three topics: that from 1897 to 1918 relates largely to Curwood's literary efforts; that from 1918 to 1921 concerns a mixture of literary and motion picture matters; and that from 1921 to 1927 focuses on conservation in Michigan.

Curwood, a contemporary and acquaintance of Zane Grey and Jack London, wrote adventure tales of the frozen north. His collection encompasses not only his major literary works, but also the numerous articles that he wrote for such magazines as Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Collier's, Munsey's, Outing, and Everybody's Magazine. During the second decade of this century, Curwood got involved in the infant motion picture industry, first as a writer for other companies and later as the head of James Oliver Curwood Productions. Consequently, his extensive correspondence with producers, directors, and business managers is quite revealing of the early development of movies.

In the 1920's, Curwood became deeply involved with the conservation movement, not only in Michigan, but throughout the mid-west. He was a charter member and active participant in the Izaak Walton League, as well as a prominent critic of the Michigan Department of Conservation under John Baird. In 1927, Governor Green recognized Curwood's efforts by naming him to the Conservation Commission. His correspondence during this period covers a wide range of topics including water pollution, forest fire prevention, sport fishery development, and increased protection for some of Michigan's dwindling wildlife, principally deer and partridge. There is also a great deal of information on the corruption of the Baird administration, particularly the political nature of warden appointments, lax enforcement and flagrant disregard of game laws, and the utilization of the Conservation Department to build up a Republican political machine in Michigan.

Correspondents in the collection include: Rube Babbitt, John Baird, Curtis Brown, Will H. Dilg, Russell Doubleday, Richard Fletcher, Andrew Glaspie, Fred Warren Green, David M. Hartford, Carl Hubbs, Harold C. Kinsey, Ray Long, Parish Lovejoy, Thomas Marston, Louis Mayer, Joseph Montrose, Charles Mott, Gifford Pinchot, Filibert Roth, Albert Stoll, Harold Titus, Arthur H. Vandenberg, Edward Voght, Henry Wallace, Russell Watson, Leigh Jarvis Young, and Frederic H. Zeigen. Note: other Curwood papers are located in the Indianapolis Public Library and the New York Public Library.

From the guide to the James Oliver Curwood papers, 1897-1927, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)