Aileen Fisher papers
Scope and Contents
The Aileen Fisher Papers document Fisher's activities as an author and the reception of her publications. The collection primarily contains typescripts, proofs, books, and fan mail, the latter of which is often accompanied by children's artwork. The collection is divided into three series: Series 1: General; Series 2: Publication Materials; and Series 3: Fan Mail.
Series 1: General includes correspondence as well as newspaper clippings and promotional materials that provide biographical information on Fisher. Series 2: Publication Materials includes typescripts and proofs, signed copies of publications, and correspondence between Fisher and her editor. The series provides insight into the development of Fisher's writing and the editing and publication process. Series 3: Fan Mail includes letters from Fisher's fans. While most of the letters are from children, some are from education students and students of children's literature. Many of the letters from children are accompanied by artworks the children created for Fisher. Some of the children's correspondence was sent as part of a class project and can be found alongside an introductory letter from a teacher. The series documents Fisher's popularity among children and provides insight into what children responded to the most about her work.
Dates
- Creation: 1946 - 1980
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1963 - 1980
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Limited duplication of materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Biographical / Historical
Aileen Fisher was born in Iron River, Michigan on September 9th, 1906. She attended the University of Chicago for two years before transferring to the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She graduated in 1927, and the same year, her first verse was published in Child Life. Upon graduation she worked in Chicago at a placement bureau for women journalists. Her first book, The Coffee Pot Face, was published in 1933. In 1937 she moved to a ranch outside of Boulder, Colorado, where she lived without electricity in a cabin that she designed and built herself. She later moved into Boulder, residing in a house at the base of Flagstaff Mountain. A prolific author of children's literature, Fisher published over 100 books during her lifetime, the majority of which were books of verse. She received the 1978 National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. One of her most frequent themes was nature, and she credited the experience living in Colorado right by the mountains, as the inspiration for much of her work. She passed away in Boulder on December 2, 2002.
Extent
9 linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains typescripts and proofs for Aileen Fisher's children's books, as well as signed copies of her books and correspondence with her editors. Fan mail from children, often accompanied by children's artwork, is also included in this collection. Collection Number MS 28
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following series: Series 1: General, 1963-1989 Series 2: Publication Materilas, 1963-1979 Series 3: Fan Mail, 1964-1980
Other Finding Aids
https://rmoa.unm.edu/docviewer.php?docId=coums28.xml
Custodial History
SPC MS 28
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- This collection was processed by Amanda Brown in December 2011. The finding aid was created in April 2012 by Amanda Brown with assistance from Jeremy Salvucci.
- Date
- April 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries, Rare and Distinctive Collections Repository
