Guide to the Doris Gates Papers
1936-1985

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Overview of the Collection

Creator: Gates, Doris, 1901-
Title: Doris Gates Papers
Dates: 1936-1985 ( inclusive )
Quantity: 27 linear feet (45 containers)
Collection Number: Coll. 180
Summary: Doris Gates (1901-1987), renowned author and editor of literary works for children, was born in Mountain View, California. Gates' deep interests in storytelling and mythology are evident in both her oral and written narratives. This collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, and published materials. Also included are records relating to Ginn and Company, publisher of textbooks.
Repository: University of Oregon Libraries
Special Collections & University Archives

1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1299
URL: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html

Languages: Collection materials are in English. 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical Note

Doris Gates, renowned author and editor of literary works for children, was born on November 26, 1901 in Mountain View, California. Raised on her family's prune ranch, Doris had a little gray burro and soon developed a fondness for horses that would later recur as a frequent theme in her children's novels, such as Sarah's Idea and Little Vic.

After receiving a degree in library science from Western Reserve University in 1930, Doris Gates launched her active and celebrated career in the field of children's literature. Her experiences ranged from her work as children's librarian at the Fresno Public Library in California from 1939 to 1940, to her long-standing association with Ginn and Company as editor and contributor for the basic reader and enrichment textbook series, and her own prolific career as an author. Although she had children of her own, Gates maintained contact with young readers through her frequent and popular guest lectures at elementary schools and children's libraries. Her deep interests in storytelling and mythology were evident in her oral and written narratives.

Gates also worked with older students and prospective writers as a lecturer at San Jose State College from 1940 to 1942, and the University of San Francisco from 1944 to 1948, as well as her editorial work for Ginn and Company. Gates spent the latter years of her life writing and raising horses at her "dream-home" overlooking the Pacific coast in Carmel, California, until her death in 1987.

Content Description

The Doris Gates Papers consists largely of correspondence, manuscripts and published materials. Business-related correspondence is arranged chronologically. A separate folder of family correspondence appears at the end of this series.

Manuscripts are arranged by length and nature, alphabetically within each segment. Each title is arranged in the order in which it was written, ranging from outlines and notes to final drafts submitted for publication.

Ginn and Company, a series in itself, is devoted to materials Gates either received or submitted during her more than thirty-year association with the publishing house. Included are promotional material, curriculum policies, sales and conference reports, and manuscripts.

Speaking engagements are arranged alphabetically by state, and, within each state, by city. Also included in the collection are Gates' teaching notes, memorabilia, souvenirs and awards, and a large volume of fan mail, mostly written by children that she promised to save. Several tape recordings, found in box 44, document the writing of several works. The remainder of the collection consists of books written by Gates as well as several textbooks in which her stories were published.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room.

Restrictions on Use :  

Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation :  

[Identification of item], Doris Gates Papers, Coll. 180, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon.

Administrative Information

Arrangement :

Collection is organized into the following series:

Series I: Biographical Information

Series II: Correspondence

Series III: Manuscripts

Series IV: Ginn and Company

Series V: Speaking Engagements

Series VI: Teaching notes

Series: Memorabilia, souvenirs, and awards

Series: Fan mail

Series: Audiotapes

Series: Scrapbook

Processing Note :  

Collection processed by Robert Koppelman, Manuscripts Processor, October 1988.

Separated Materials :  

Photographs in this collection are stored separately under call number PH158.


Detailed Description of the Collection

Biographical Material
Container(s)
Description
Box
Folder
1 1 Biographical material
1 2 Biographical material
1 3 Biographical material
1 4 Biographical material
1 5 Biographical material

^ Return to Top

Correspondence
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
1 6 Correspondence October 1936-September 1938
1 7 Correspondence October 1938-February 1940
1 8 Correspondence April 1940-1941
1 9 Correspondence October 1943-March 1944
1 10 Correspondence April 1944-October 1944
1 11 Correspondence November 1944-December 1944
1 12 Correspondence 1945
1 13 Correspondence 1946
1 14 Correspondence April 1947-May 1948
1 15 Correspondence June 1948-October 1948
1 16 Correspondence November 1948
1 17 Correspondence December 1948
2 1 Correspondence January 1949
2 2 Correspondence February 1949
2 3 Correspondence March 1949
2 4 Correspondence April 1949
2 5 Correspondence May 2-13, 1949
2 6 Correspondence May 16-31, 1949
2 7 Correspondence June 1949
2 8 Correspondence July 1949
2 9 Correspondence August 1949
2 10 Correspondence September 1949-October 1949
2 11 Correspondence November 1949-December 1949
2 12 Correspondence January 1950-February 1950
2 13 Correspondence March 1950-April 1950
2 14 Correspondence May 1950-March 1951
2 15 Correspondence April 1951-July 1951
2 16 Correspondence August 1951-September 1951
2 17 Correspondence October 1951-November 1951
2 18 Correspondence
3 1 Correspondence January 1951
3 2 Correspondence February 1952
3 3 Correspondence March 1952-April 1952
3 4 Correspondence May 1952-July 1952
3 5 Correspondence August 1952-September 1952
3 6 Correspondence October 1952
3 7 Correspondence November 1952
3 8 Correspondence December 1952
3 9 Correspondence January 2, 1953-February 9, 1953
3 10 Correspondence February 13, 1953-March 1953
3 11 Correspondence April 1953
3 12 Correspondence May 1953
3 13 Correspondence June 1953
3 14 Correspondence July 1953-August 1953
3 15 Correspondence September 1953
3 16 Correspondence October 1953
3 17 Correspondence November 1953
3 18 Correspondence December 1953
4 1 Correspondence January 1954-March 1954
4 2 Correspondence April 1954-May 5, 1954
4 3 Correspondence May 7, 1954-June 1954
4 4 Correspondence July 1954-September 1954
4 5 Correspondence October 1954-December 1954
4 6 Correspondence January 1955-April 1955
4 7 Correspondence May 1955-June 1955
4 8 Correspondence July 1955-August 1955
4 9 Correspondence September 1955
4 10 Correspondence October 1955-December 1955
4 11 Correspondence January 1956-April 1956
4 12 Correspondence May 1956-December 1956
4 13 Correspondence January 1957-July 1957
4 14 Correspondence August 1957
4 15 Correspondence September 1957-December 1957
4 16 Correspondence February 1958-August 1958
4 17 Correspondence September 1958-December 1958
5 1 Correspondence January 1959-March 1959
5 2 Correspondence April 1959-June 1959
5 3 Correspondence July 1959
5 4 Correspondence August 1959-October 1959
5 5 Correspondence November 1959-December 1959
5 6 Correspondence January 1960
5 7 Correspondence February 1960-March 1960
5 8 Correspondence April 1960-July 1960
5 9 Correspondence August 1960-September 1960
5 10 Correspondence October 1960
5 11 Correspondence November 1960-February 1961
5 12 Correspondence March 1961-May 1961
5 13 Correspondence June 1961-August 1961
5 14 Correspondence September 1961
5 15 Correspondence October 1961
5 16 Correspondence November 1961
5 17 Correspondence December 1961
6 1 Correspondence January 1962-February 1962
6 2 Correspondence March 1962
6 3 Correspondence April 1962
6 4 Correspondence May 1962-June 1962
6 5 Correspondence July 1962
6 6 Correspondence August 1962
6 7 Correspondence September 1962
6 8 Correspondence October 1962-November 6, 1962
6 9 Correspondence November 12-24, 1962
6 10 Correspondence November 26, 1962-December 1962
6 11 Correspondence January 1963
6 12 Correspondence February 1963
6 13 Correspondence March 1963
6 14 Correspondence April 1963
6 15 Correspondence May 1963-June 1963
6 16 Correspondence July 1963-August 1963
6 17 Correspondence September 1963
6 18 Correspondence October 1963
6 19 Correspondence November 1963-December 1963
7 1 Correspondence January 1964
7 2 Correspondence February 1964
7 3 Correspondence March 1964
7 4 Correspondence April 1964
7 5 Correspondence May 1964
7 6 Correspondence June 1964
7 7 Correspondence July 1964-August 1964
7 8 Correspondence September 1964
7 9 Correspondence October 1964
7 10 Correspondence November 1964
7 11 Correspondence December 1964
7 12 Correspondence January 1965-April 1965
7 13 Correspondence May 1965-June 1965
7 14 Correspondence July 1965
7 15 Correspondence August 1965
8 1 Correspondence September 1965
8 2 Correspondence October 1965
8 3 Correspondence November 1965
8 4 Correspondence December 1965
8 5 Correspondence January 1966
8 6 Correspondence February 1966-March 1966
8 7 Correspondence May 1966-July 1966
8 8 Correspondence August 1966-September 1966
8 9 Correspondence October 1966-December 1966
8 10 Correspondence January 1967
8 11 Correspondence February 1967
8 12 Correspondence March 1967-April 1967
8 13 Correspondence May 1967
8 14 Correspondence June 1967-August 1967
8 15 Correspondence September 1967
8 16 Correspondence October 1967-November 1967
8 17 Correspondence December 1967
9 1 Correspondence January 1968
9 2 Correspondence February 1968
9 3 Correspondence March 1968-June 1968
9 4 Correspondence July 1968-October 1968
9 5 Correspondence November 1968
9 6 Correspondence December 1968
9 7 Correspondence January 1969
9 8 Correspondence February 1969-March 1969
9 9 Correspondence April 1969-August 1969
9 10 Correspondence September 1969-March 1970
9 11 Correspondence April 1970-September 1970
9 12 Correspondence October 1970-January 1971
9 13 Correspondence February 1971-March 1971
9 14 Correspondence April 1971-September 1971
9 15 Correspondence October 1971-January 1972
9 16 Correspondence February 1972-June 1972
9 17 Correspondence July 1972-October 1972
9 18 Correspondence November 1972-December 1972
10 1 Correspondence January 1973-February 1973
10 2 Correspondence March 1973-May 1973
10 3 Correspondence June 1973-August 1973
10 4 Correspondence September 1973-October 1973
10 5 Correspondence November 1973-February 1974
10 6 Correspondence March 1974-September 1974
10 7 Correspondence October 1974-March 1975
10 8 Correspondence April 1975-August 1975
10 9 Correspondence September 1975-November 1975
10 10 Correspondence January 1976-April 1976
10 11 Correspondence May 1976-August 1976
10 12 Correspondence October 1976-February 1977
10 13 Correspondence March 1977-May 1977
10 14 Correspondence June 1977-May 1978
10 15 Correspondence June 1978-October 1978
10 16 Correspondence November 1978-February 1979
10 17 Correspondence March 1979-June 1979
10 18 Correspondence July 1979-December 1979
11 1 Correspondence January 1980, April 1980
11 2 Correspondence May 1980-August 1980
11 3 Correspondence September 1980-June 1981
11 4 Correspondence July 1981-April 1982
11 5 Correspondence June 1982-August 1982
11 6 Correspondence September 1982-November 1982
11 7 Correspondence November 1983-February 1984
11 8 Correspondence March 1984-May 1984
11 9 Correspondence June 1984-November 1984
11 10 Correspondence December 1984-April 1985
11 11 Correspondence May 1985-September 1985
11 12 Correspondence October 1985-December 1985
11 13 Correspondence undated
11 14 Correspondence undated
11 15 Correspondence undated
11 16 Correspondence undated
11 17 Family correspondence

^ Return to Top

Manuscripts
Container(s)
Description
A: Drafts
Box
Folder
12 1 Becky and the Bandit: drafts
12 2 Becky and the Bandit: drafts
12 3 Becky and the Bandit: drafts
12 4 Becky and the Bandit: drafts
12 5 Blue Willow: Publishing materials
12 6 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Notes
12 7 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 1 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 2 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 3 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 4 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 5 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 6 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 7 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 8 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 9 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Drafts
13 10 The Cat and Mrs. Cary: Page proofs; correspondence
13 11 A Dog Named Arso: Notes; correspondence
13 12 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 1 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 2 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 3 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 4 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 5 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 6 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 7 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 8 A Dog Named Arso: Revisions
14 9 The Elderberry Bush: Notes
14 10 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 1 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 2 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 3 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 4 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 5 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 6 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 7 The Elderberry Bush: Revisions
15 8 The Elderberry Bush: Illustrations
15 9 The Elderberry Bush: Illustrations
15 10 A Fair Wind for Troy: Notes
15 11 A Fair Wind for Troy: Draft
15 12 A Fair Wind for Troy: Draft
15 13 A Fair Wind for Troy: Draft
15 14 A Fair Wind for Troy: Book jackets
15 15 A Filly for Melinda: Notes
15 16 A Filly for Melinda: Superceded pages
15 17 A Filly for Melinda: Final draft; book jacket
16 1 A Filly for Melinda: Final draft; book jacket
16 2 A Filly for Melinda: Final draft; book jacket
16 3 A Filly for Melinda: Final draft; book jacket
16 4 The Golden God: Apollo: Notes
16 5 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 6 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 7 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 8 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 9 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 10 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 11 The Golden God: Apollo: Drafts
16 12 The Golden God: Apollo: Illustrations; promotional material
16 13 The Hills Remain: Notes; synopsis
16 14 The Hills Remain: Drafts
16 15 A Journey for Melinda: Notes
16 16 A Journey for Melinda: Notes
16 17 A Journey for Melinda: Notes
16 18 A Journey for Melinda: Superceded pages
17 1 A Journey for Melinda: Drafts
18 1 A Journey for Melinda: Drafts
18 2 A Journey for Melinda: Drafts
18 3 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 4 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 5 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 6 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 7 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 8 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 9 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 10 Lord of the Sky: Drafts
18 11 Lord of the Sky: Drafts (cont.); book jacket; Mightiest of Mortals: Heracles: Notes
18 12 Mightiest of Mortals: Drafts
18 13 Mightiest of Mortals: Drafts
18 14 Mightiest of Mortals: Drafts
18 15 Mightiest of Mortals: Drafts
18 16 Mightiest of Mortals: Drafts
18 17 Mightiest of Mortals: Drafts
18 18 Mightiest of Mortals: Illustrations, book jacket
19 1 A Morgan for Melinda: Notes; superceded pages
19 2 A Morgan for Melinda: Superceded pages (cont.)
19 3 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 4 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 5 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 6 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 7 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 8 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 9 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 10 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 11 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 12 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 13 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 14 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 15 A Morgan for Melinda: Drafts
19 16 A Morgan for Melinda: End notes; illustrations; book jacket
20 1 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 2 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 3 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 4 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 5 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 6 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 7 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 8 My Brother Mike: Draft
20 9 North Fork: Foreword; correspondence
20 10 O'Reilly's Daughter: Outlines
20 11 Problems for Melinda: Superceded Pages
20 12 Problems for Melinda: Drafts
21 1 Problems for Melinda: Drafts
21 2 Problems for Melinda: Drafts
21 3 Problems for Melinda: Drafts
21 4 Problems for Melinda: Drafts
21 5 A Proper Distance: Notes
21 6 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 7 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 8 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 9 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 10 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 11 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 12 A Proper Distance: Drafts
21 13 River Ranch: Drafts
21 14 River Ranch: Drafts
21 15 River Ranch: Drafts
21 16 River Ranch: Drafts
21 17 River Ranch: Drafts
21 18 River Ranch: Drafts
21 19 River Ranch: Drafts
22 1 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 2 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 3 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 4 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 5 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 6 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 7 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 8 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 9 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 10 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 11 Rogue Haven: Drafts
22 12 Rogue Haven: Revisions
22 13 Rogue Haven: Revisions
22 14 Sarah's Idea: Draft
22 15 Sarah's Idea: Draft
22 16 Sarah's Idea: Draft
22 17 Sarah's Idea: Draft
22 18 Sarah's Idea: Galleys
22 19 Sarah's Idea: Illustrations; memorabilia
23 1 Sensible Kate: Synopsis
23 2 Sensible Kate: Draft
23 3 Sensible Kate: Draft
23 4 Sensible Kate: Draft
23 5 Sensible Kate: Draft
23 6 Sensible Kate: Draft
23 7 Sensible Kate: Draft
23 8 A Substantial World: Outline; extra pages; introduction; chapter one
23 9 They Have Tomorrow: Notes; character sketches
23 10 They Have Tomorrow: Revisions
23 11 They Have Tomorrow: Draft
23 12 They Have Tomorrow: Draft
23 13 They Have Tomorrow: Draft
23 14 They Have Tomorrow: Draft
23 15 Trouble for Jerry: Draft
23 16 Trouble for Jerry: Draft
23 17 Trouble for Jerry: Draft
23 18 Trouble for Jerry: Draft
23 19 Trouble for Jerry: Draft
24 1 Two Queens of Heaven: Drafts
24 2 Two Queens of Heaven: Drafts
24 3 Two Queens of Heaven: Drafts
24 4 Two Queens of Heaven: Drafts
24 5 Two Queens of Heaven: Illustrations; book jacket
24 6 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Notes
24 7 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 8 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 9 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 10 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 11 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 12 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 13 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 14 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Drafts
24 15 The Warrior Goddess: Athena: Revisions; book jacket; book plate
24 16 Writer's Cramps: Draft
B: Short stories
Box
Folder
24 17 All Alone House; At the Edge of Day; The Birthday Train; Danger, Dog of War
24 18 The Dog with the Too-Long Tail; The Elm Street Gang
24 19 The Flag on Catamount Hill
24 20 The Flag on Catamount Hill
25 1 A Good Painter; I'll Call You Back; Little Baldy
25 2 Mary Ann's Christmas; The Milestone Group
25 3 Mrs. Martin's Hat; Mrs. Finker's Rebellion; Mr. Easter Rabbit Comes to Town; Pansies are for Remembrance
25 4 The Perfectionist
25 5 The Perfectionist
25 6 The Picture-Man's Pony
25 7 The Picture-Man's Pony
25 8 Pinkie's Peaches
25 9 Stripes; The Stuff of Heroes; The Telephone; The Tree House
25 10 Story Ideas
25 11 Story Ideas
C: Articles
Box
Folder
25 12 Asbestos Pants; Beyond the Four Hills
25 13 Children's Books in a Fugitive World
25 14 Children's Books in a Fugitive World
25 15 A Critique of "What Ivan Knows that Johnny Doesn't"; A Family Vow
25 16 For Reasons Only
25 17 How I Missed the Jass Age; I'd Do It Again; Must Our Children be Sociologists?
25 18 Mythology; Now That Autumn's Here
26 1 Of Such is the Kingdom
26 2 Of Such is the Kingdom
26 3 Sarah E. McCandle Resigns; The Sense of Wonder; Six Impossible Things
26 4 Story-telling in the Air
26 5 Summer is A-Cumen in
26 6 There's a Reason
26 7 To Come To Be; Unafraid of Greatness; What Shall the Children Read Now?; Untitled (2 stories)
D: Radio scripts
Box
Folder
26 8