Denis R. Rogers was born in 1914 in Devonshire. Shortly after marrying, Rogers joined the Intelligence Service in 1940. Military service took him to many locations, including a post in Cyprus. In 1952, the Rogers family moved to Edmonton, Canada where Rogers was Assistant Trade Commissioner. Rogers' wife Lucy explains, "...in 1955 the family were [sic] sent to Montreal. Living in Western Canada meant a holiday in [the] USA where Denis visted every second-hand bookshop he could find in large towns like Seattle and L.A.! His interest in Edward S. Ellis had begun in England before leaving for Canada. By the time he left Montreal at the conclusion of his Canadian tour he had been searching for and aquiring Dime Novels all the way on holiday to Florida."
Upon returning to England, Rogers began compiling a comprehensive bibliography of the works of Ellis. Rogers was meticulous and diligent, and the results of his collecting are represented in this collection's bound volumes. His process is highlighted in the correspondence, drafts, and research materials that were compiled and bequeathed to the University of Minnesota Libraries upon his death in 1985.
From the guide to the The Denis R. Rogers/Edward S. Ellis Collection, 1860-1985, (University of Minnesota. Children's Literature Research Collections. [clrc])
