Redford, Grant H., 1908-1965

Grant Hubbard Redford (1908-1965) was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in Logan, Utah. Upon graduation from Utah State Agricultural College in 1936, he taught speech at the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, Utah. In the 1930s and 1940s he served as associate editor for Intermountain Review of English and Speech, and in 1941 he earned an M.S. degree in speech from the University of Iowa. Starting in the late 1940s Redford taught short story and play writing at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 1958-59 he taught drama at the University of Ankara, Turkey. Redford helped found the Port Townsend Summer School of the Arts in Washington in 1961 and served on its faculty until his death in 1965.

From the description of Grant Hubbard Redford papers, 1930-1970. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 76925444

Grant Hubbard Redford was born December 25, 1908 in Seattle, Washington, son of Thomas Lloyd Redford and Sarah Gwennie Hubbard of Logan. Redford grew up in Logan and eventually moved to Cedar City,Utah where he taught English. A few years later he relocated to Seattle Washington where he taught creative writing at the University of Washington. In the mid 1950s he taught in Turkey, then returned to teach and live in Seattle. Redford died in 1965.

Redford attended Logan High School in the late 1920s, winning the Hendrick's Medal for oration at Utah State Agricultural College (U.S.A.C.) in 1929. His youth was fueled by an ambition to be a known author. In high school and college years he was active in both literary and dramatic societies. He was a contributor to the Logan Daily Herald, The Scribbler (U.S.A.C. art/literary journal), and he was also editor for The Scribbler and Student Life. A fellow classmate of May Swensen, both published poetry in an anthology of contemporary Utah poetry Utah Sings, in the mid-1930s. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Vermont from 1930 -1932. As a member of USAC International Relations Club he led an anti-war demonstration at U.S.A.C. in the fall of 1936.

Upon graduation from U.S.A.C. in 1936, Redford taught speech at the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, Utah. In the 1940s he served as associate editor for Rocky Mountain Review, and in 1941 earned an M.S. degree in speech from the University of Iowa.

By the late 1940s, Redford taught in the English department at the University of Washington in Seattle. His teaching emphasis was short story and play writing; both genres reflected his own writing interests and pursuits. Redford also taught drama at the University of Ankara, Turkey from 1958 -59. He helped found the Port Townsend Summer School of the Arts in Washington in 1961, and served on its faculty until his death in 1965.

Redford's short stories were published in national magazines like Cosmopolitan as well as scholarly journals. In the 1960s, he sought performance of his plays by contacting agents on Broadway, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and televison stations. When Redford died in 1965, he had established a reputation as a well known writer in the Pacific northwest.

From the guide to the Grant Redford Papers, 1930-1970, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)