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Dorothy M. Johnson Papers

 Collection
Identifier: msC0632

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Scope and Contents

The papers of Dorothy M. Johnson consist of two boxes of manuscripts, dating from 1896 to 1958. This small collection includes family correspondence and photographs (1896-1900). There are also typescript drafts, outlines, and correspondence from some of her short stories. One box of manuscripts contains papers which document the writing of The Hanging Tree.

Dates

  • Creation: 1896-1958

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

Biographical / Historical

Dorothy M. Johnson was born on December 19, 1905, in McGregor, Iowa. Her widowed mother moved them to Whitefish, Montana, in 1913. Johnson graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in 1928. From 1944 to 1950, she edited a women's magazine in New York. Returning to Whitefish, she became the news editor of a local newspaper. In 1953, she joined the journalism faculty at the University of Montana. She is best known for her Western stories. Three of her books, The Hanging Tree, Liberty Valance, and A Man Called Horsewere made into motion pictures. Johnson died in 1984, at the age of 78.

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Editor, novelist and professor of journalism at the University of Montana. Typescript drafts and related correspondence for several short stories and her novel, The Hanging Tree. Also some family correspondence and photographs. Johnson wrote Liberty Valence and A Man Called Horse, both, like The Hanging Tree, made into motion pictures.

Method of Acquisition

Dorothy M. Johnson gave this collection to the University of Iowa Libraries in 1963.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the University of Iowa Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5921
319-335-5900 (Fax)