Elizabeth Rider Montgomery Papers, 1897-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montgomery, Elizabeth Rider
Title
Elizabeth Rider Montgomery Papers
Dates
1897-1983 (inclusive)
1920-1983 (bulk)
Quantity
9 linear feet, (24 boxes)
Collection Number
XOE_SC0001Montgomery
Summary
The Elizabeth Rider Montgomery Papers document the life and career of a teacher and prolific writer of children's and young adult literature. The collection consists of biographical material, manuscripts, drafts, correspondence, research and other supporting materials related to a wide range of published and unpublished works.
Repository
Western Washington University, Special Collections
Wilson Library 6th Floor
516 High Street MS9103
Bellingham WA
98225-9123
Telephone: (360) 650-3193
Fax: (360) 650-3044
speccoll@wwu.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

A teacher and prolific writer specializing in works for children and young adults, Elizabeth Rider was born to Charles Quantrell and Lula (Tralle) Rider on July 12, 1902, in Huaras, Peru, where her father was serving as a missionary and teacher. The family returned to the United States when Elizabeth was 18 months old and she spent her childhood in Independence, Missouri, and Seattle, Washington. Although intending to be an artist, she trained as a teacher, receiving a two-year certificate from the Washington State Normal School at Bellingham (now Western Washington University) in 1925 and a degree in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1928.

While employed as an elementary school teacher, Mrs. Montgomery began writing, with the intention of improving the reading primers then available for her young pupils. In 1938, she left the teaching profession and, until 1963, was employed as a staff-writer for the text-book publisher Scott, Foresman & Company. While there, she was closely involved in the creation and development of the pre-primers and health texts featuring the ongoing characters named "Dick" and "Jane." Subsequently, she was a free-lance writer, authoring novels, biographies, stories, plays, and poems for children and young adults, as well as magazine articles, novels, and plays for adults.

Spanning more than 40 years and resulting in over 70 works, Elizabeth Rider Montgomery's distinguished career was recognized by many honors, including awards from the National Federation of Press Women, National League of American Pen Women, Phi Delta Nu Honorary Fraternity of Authors and Creative Artists, Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, Washington Press Women, and the Seattle Historical Society. Married to Norman A. Montgomery from 1930 to 1961, and to Arthur Julesberg from 1963, Elizabeth Rider Montgomery died on February 19, 1985, in Seattle, Washington.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Elizabeth Rider Montgomery Papers consist of biographical materials including personal memorabilia, photographs, scrapbooks, and original artwork. The collection also contains manuscripts, drafts, correspondence, research and other supporting materials related to a wide range of published and unpublished work such as books, stories, plays, and poetry.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Digital reproductions of questionaires and correspondence between Montgomery and award-winning children's authors are available online as part of Western Libraries Digital Collections (see the "20th Century Children's Authors" collection).

Restrictions on Use

Material in the collection may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Elizabeth Rider Montgomery Papers, Special Collections, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The Elizabeth Rider Montgomery Papers are organized according to the following series arrangement:

  • Series I. Biographical Material, circa 1920-1985
  • Series II. Correspondence, circa 1931-1984
  • Series III. Series III. Research Material, circa 1897-1969
  • Series IV. "Dick and Jane" Material, circa 1965-1983
  • Series V. Poetry, circa 1930-1939
  • Series VI. Plays, circa 1948-1981
  • Series VII. Stories and Articles, circa 1909-1975
  • Series VIII. Books, circa 1943-1980

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robin A. (Monty) Montgomery in 2002.

Related Materials

A selection of books by Elizabeth Rider Montgomery are in the Western Collection in Special Collections. Additional copies of individual book titles may also be available in the Libraries' circulating collection.

The de Grummond Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi's McCain Library and Archives also includes a selection of Elizabeth Rider Montgomery's papers. Follow this hyperlink to view an inventory of this collection.

Processing Note

About Harmful Language and Content

To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see our Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series I:  Biographical Material, circa 1920-1985Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Personal memorabilia, story notes, journal, theater and musical event programs, Los Angeles School District notice of written examination of applicants for positions as teachers, etc., Elementary salary schedule, Instructions to Prospective Teachers
circa 1920s
1/2
School reports, certificates, diplomas: Teacher's Certificate, Public Elementary Schools of Missouri, Teacher's Certificate, Public Schools of Missouri, First Grade Teacher-Training, Student Card, Central Missouri State Teachers College, Second Grade Elementary Certificate, Common Schools of Washington, Grade report, Washington State Normal School, Ellensburg, Grade report, State Normal School, Bellingham, Grade report, State Normal School, Bellingham, Normal School Life Diploma, Washington State Normal School, Bellingham, Student's Duplicate Study List, University of California at Los Angeles
1920-1927
1/3
The Gleam – yearbook of William Chrisman High School, Independence, Missouri
1920
1/4
Photographs
circa 1940-1982
1/5
Awards and certificates - The Manuscripters, Music and Art Foundation of Seattle, National Federation of Press Women, National League of American Pen Women, Inc., National Writers Club, Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, Phi Delta Nu, Seattle Historical Society, Washington Press Women, Marquis Biographical Library Society, Who's Who of American Women
circa 1944-1968
1/6
Newspaper articles
1951-1981
1/7
Newspaper reviews, notices, etc.
1956-1979
1/8
Miscellaneous biographical materials – The Student Opinion, Mrs. Elizabeth Rider Montgomery and Her Book: “The Half-Pint Fisherman” (KING-T), “Who’s Who of American Women?,” letter to Suzanne St. Pierre (CBS News, 60 Minutes), letter to Ernest Kay, General Editor, and draft biographical entry (International Biographical Centre), obituaries in Seattle Post Intelligencer and Seattle Times
circa 1923-1985
Autobiographical Writings
1946-1978
Box/Folder
1/9
"One-Armed Paperhanger, or How to Combine Kids with a Career (In Ten Easy Lessons)"
1946
1/10
"Opportunity Doesn't Knock"
1950
1/11
"Answers to Questions Often Asked," "Subject: Myself," "Community Service," "Penwomen Vignette," PTA National Paper Interview and supporting correspondence, "Elizabeth Rider Montgomery: (Capsule Career)"
1944-1978
Box
2
Scrapbook
1940-1950
3
Scrapbook
1950-1960
4
Scrapbook
1961-1969
5
Scrapbook
1969-1979
7
Scrapbook - "50th Book Celebration, Sept. 1969, and 60th Book Celebration, Oct. 13, 1973, and 50 Years of Writing, Oct. 10, 1982"
1969-1982
8
Art works - charcoal
circa 1920s
9
Art works - watercolor
undated

Series II:  Correspondence, circa 1931-1984Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
10/1
“The Pre-Primer Years” – correspondence with Scott, Foresman and Co.
1936-1939
10/2
“1st Health Series” – correspondence with Scott, Foresman and Co.
1940-1944
10/3
Correspondence regarding The Story Behind Great Stories – Alden, Raymond (Why the Chimes Rang), Bannerman, Helen (Little Black Sambo), Gag, Wanda (Millions of Cats); Milne, A. A. (Winnie-the-Pooh)
1947
10/4
Correspondence regarding The Story Behind Modern Books – Andrews, Eleanor Frances (Little Pear), Atwater, Florence (Mr. Popper's Penguins), Benet, Marjorie Flack (The Story about Ping), Bishop, Claire (The Five Chinese Brothers), Brink, Carol Ryrie (Caddie Woodlawn), Brunhoff, Cecile De (Story of Babar), Daugherty, James (Andy and the Lion), D'Aulaire, Ingri (Ola), Demetrios, Virginia [Virginia Lee Burton] (The Little House), Estes, Eleanor (The Moffats)
1947-1948
10/5
Correspondence regarding The Story Behind Modern Books – Forbes, Esther (Johnny Tremain), Gramatky, Hardie (Little Toot), Hall, Doris Gates (Blue Willow), Holling, H. C. (Paddle-to-the-Sea), Knight, Jere, etc. (Lassie Come-Home) Lathrop, Dorothy P. (illus.) (Hitty, Her First Hundred Years [by Rachel Field]), Lawson, Robert (Rabbit Hill), Lenski, Lois (Little Auto)
1947-1948
10/6
Correspondence regarding The Story Behind Modern Books – Means, Florence Crannell (Shuttered Windows), Meigs, Cornelia (Invincible Louisa), O'Brien, Jack (Silver Chief), Petersham, Maud (The Rooster Crows), Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan (The Yearling), Salten, Felix (Bambi), Sandburg, Carl (Abe Lincoln Grows Up), Seredy, Kate (The Good Master)
1947-1948
10/7
Correspondence regarding The Story Behind Modern Books - Shephard, Esther, etc. (Paul Bunyan), Snedeker, Caroline (Downright Dencey), Sperry, Armstrong (Call It Courage), Stong, Phil (Honk, the Moose), Thurber, James (Many Moons), Travers, P. L. (Mary Poppins), Vining, Elizabeth Gray (Adam of the Road), Wilder, Laura Ingalls (Little House in the Big Woods)
1947-1948
10/8
Correspondence from R. T. Bond of Dodd, Mead and Co. regarding translations of The Story of Great Medical Discoveries
1959 December 29
10/9
Rejection letters from various publishers
1931-1984

Series III:  Research Material, circa 1897-1969Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
11/1
The Story Behind Great Stories
circa 1940s
11/2
The Story Behind Modern Books
circa 1949
11/3
The Story Behind Popular Songs
circa 1957-1969
11/4
Tide Treasure Camper
circa 1954-1959
11/5
Walt Disney: Master of Make-Believe
circa 1960s
11/6
When a Ton of Gold Reached Seattle
circa 1897-1969
11/7
When Pioneers Pushed West to Oregon
circa 1897-1906
11/8
William C. Handy: Father of the Blues
circa 1946-1969
11/9
John Philip Sousa
1955-1956
11/10
John Muir (?)
circa 1935-1941
11/11
Skiing
circa 1955-1959

Series IV:  "Dick and Jane" Material, circa 1965-1983Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
12/1-12/2
Who Did "Dick and Jane"? - typescripts
undated
12/3
Correspondence
1965-1983
12/4
Letter to N. Pittmann with transcript of 1959 interview with Zerna Sharpe
1981
12/5
Newspaper articles
1972-1977
12/6
"Pre-Primer Chronology"
undated
12/7
Elson Basic readers and Elson-Gray Basic Primers
circa 1930s
12/8
Zerna Sharpe and Eleanor Campbell biographical materials
circa 1933-2006
12/9
Health Primer materials
circa 1940s

Series V:  Poetry, circa 1930-1939Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
12/10
Rhymes of Child-Land: For Four- to Six-Year-Olds
undated
12/11
Individual poems - "Before I Learned to Read," "Contest Mania," "Contrast," "Exemptions," "A Mother's Song of Thanksgiving," "Mountain Road," "Prayer Before Pay-Day," "Prayer for Two," "Pride at Seven," "Six Years Old," "Soliloquy of a Gentleman on Meeting the Lady of the Toothbrush Ads," "Thank God for Showers," "Three Little Girls," "Trees Are Like People," "What Is In My Head?," "When You Grow Up," "Writer vs. Cook"
undated
12/12
Drafts
undated
12/13
Scrapbook of published greeting cards
circa 1938-1939

Series VI:  Plays, circa 1948-1981Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
13/1
The Bachelor and the Stork Club: A Light Comedy
undated
13/2
The Bachelor and the Stork Club: A One-Hour Television Comedy
undated
13/3
Camp Can-Do - notes for the artist
circa 1981
13/4
Kla-How-Ya (Hello--Good-bye): A Symphonic Drama of Northwest History
1963
13/5
Kla-How-Ya (Hello--Good-bye): A Symphonic Drama of Northwest History
undated
13/6
Knights of the Silver Shield: A Play for Children
undated
13/7
Merlin's Necklace: (A Play for Children)
undated
13/8-13/9
Noel's Ark: A Three Act Play
undated
13/10-13/11
Old Pipes and the Dryad: A Play for Children (Pioneer Drama, 1976)
1948
13/12
Pinocchio's Papa: A Play for Children in Two Acts
undated
14/1
Pinocchio's Parent: A Radio Play for Columbia School of the Air - notes
undated
14/2
Suburb of Heaven: A Three Act Drama
undated
14/3-14/4
Suburb of Heaven: A Three-Act Play
undated
14/5
Suburb of Heaven: A One-Hour Television Drama
circa 1973
14/6
Suburb of Heaven (Theatre Americana) - production photographs
1965

Series VII:  Stories and Articles, circa 1909-1975Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
14/7
Amy Copes with a Crisis
undated
14/8
Blacky and the Eggs
1941 April 4
14/9
The Bit Part
circa 1960
14/10
The Fighting Monk
1965 January
14/11
Incorruptible Witness: (A Short-Short)
undated
14/12
Life in these United States
1958
14/13
Music from Discord
undated
14/14
Quick Cure
1958 September-October
14/15
The Seattle Free Lances (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
1967 December 17
14/16
Trudy, Ted, and the Treasure (Children's Activities)
1941
14/17
Whose Mistake?
undated
14/18
The Winner
1944 August 28
14/19
Juvenile Story Ideas: Now and Then; Reader Stories (Dick and Jane); Sally Story Ideas; Two Surprises
circa 1959
14/20
The Biggest Dollar - synopsis
1975
14/21
Good and Bad Uses of the Apple (essay written by Elizabeth Rider Montgomery at age six in Ott School of Independence, MO)
1909
14/22
"Force of Habit" and "Hood's Canal" - Weekly Messenger (Washington State Normal School)
1925
14/23
Jonesy and the Fixer - notes
undated

Series VIII:  Books, circa 1943-1980Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
15/1
The All-American Parade (A Picture Book) (Easy-Reading)
undated
15/2
The All-American Parade (An Easy-Reading Picture Book)
undated
15/3
The All-American Parade (An Easy-Reading Story)
undated
15/4
All Kinds of Trucks (A Picture Book)
undated
15/5-15/6
Baxter and the Back-Hoe (Easy Reading)
undated
15/7
Baxter and the Back-Hoe
undated
15/8
Cara's Carnival (A Story for Girls)
undated
15/9
Cara's Carnival - corrections
1977
15/10
Chick and the Wonderful Trick (A Picture Book Story)
undated
15/11
Chick and the Wonderful Trick (Easy Reading)
1977
15/12
Chick and the Wonderful Trick (Easy Reading)
undated
15/13-15/15
Cleanliness is Next (A Contemporary Novel) (variant title of Lucinda's Legacy
undated
16/1
Cleanliness is Next (A Contemporary Novel) (variant title of Lucinda's Legacy
undated
16/2
The Clown Contest (An Easy-Reading Story)
undated
16/3
The Clown Contest (An Easy-Reading Story)
circa 1978
16/4
The Clown Contest
circa 1980
16/5
The Clown Contest - typescript
circa 1980
16/6
Dobby Runs Around (A Picture Book Story)
undated
16/7
Dobby Runs Around
circa 1977
16/8
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - research materials
undated
16/9
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - correspondence
1967-1971
16/10
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - bibliography notes
undated
16/11
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - first draft
1970
16/12
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - second draft
1970
16/13
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - third draft
undated
16/14
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - revised, Duke's changes
1971
16/15
Duke Ellington: King of Jazz - revised, final
1971
17/1
Forfeit to the Flood (A Mystery Novel)
undated
17/2
Good Times with Our Friends - publisher's dummy, galley 3
1941
17/3
Going on Ten (Book Four in Health and Safety - publisher's layout, galley 3
circa 1958
17/4
Kids' Fishing Derby (A Boys' Story for Reluctant Readers) [see also The Runt
undated
17/5
Junior Fishing Derby (A Boys' Story for Reluctant Readers)
undated
17/6
Half-Pint Fisherman (A Junior Novel)
undated
17/7
Half-Pint Fisherman (serialized in eight issues of Twelve/Fifteen
1956 June-July
17/8
His Cut and Her Cut (A Novelty Gift Book) (ERM writing as "Angela Towne"
undated
17/9
Honeymoon Horror - first paragraphs and plot outline
undated
17/10
Honeymoon Horror (A Murder Mystery)
1943
17/11
Life-Savers - preliminary research materials, outline, and letter from Crestwood House
circa 1970s-1980s
17/12
Life-Savers: Explorers in Medicine (Teachers' Manual)
undated
18/1
Life-Savers: Medicine Inventors (Teachers' Manual)
undated
18/2
Life-Savers II: Pioneer Germ-Fighters (Teachers' Manual)
1980
18/3
[Life-Savers: Surgery Pioneers/Hospital Pioneers]
undated
18/4
Lucinda's Legacy - chapters 1-4
undated
18/5
Lucinda's Legacy - chapters 5-7
undated
18/6
Lucinda's Legacy - chapters 8-11
undated
18/7
Lucinda's Legacy - chapters 12-19
undated
18/8
The Mill Creek Mystery - proposal
undated
18/9
The Mill Creek Mystery - (Easy-Read Book)
undated
18/10
The Mill Creek Mystery - (A For Real Book)
undated
18/11
The Mystery of the Missing Meat - (An Easy-Read Book)
circa 1976
18/12
The Mystery of the Missing Meat
circa 1979
18/13
The Mystery of the Missing Meat
circa 1980
18/14
The Mystery of the Missing Meat
undated
18/15
The Mystery of the Missing Meat (A For Real Story)
undated
18/16
No Solo for Sandra - synopsis
undated
18/17
No Solo for Sandra (includes five illustrations)
undated
19/1
Ox-Team Orrie - research materials and synopsis
undated
19/2
Ox-Team Orrie (A Boys' Novel) - chapters 1-7
undated
19/3
Ox-Team Orrie (A Boys' Novel) - chapters 8-15
undated
19/4
Ox-Team Orrie (Historical Novel) - chapters 1-7
undated
19/5
Ox-Team Orrie (Historical Novel) - chapters 8-15
undated
19/6
Ox-Team Orrie (A historical novel) - chapters 1-7
undated
19/7
Ox-Team Orrie (A historical novel) - chapters 8-15
undated
19/8
A Thief or Two (The Pepper Tree Patio Mystery) - author's notes, synopsis, character outline
undated
19/9
A Thief or Two (The Pepper Tree Patio Mystery)
undated
19/10
The Pepper Tree Patio Mystery
undated
20/1
The Real Ribbon
circa 1981
20/2
The Real Ribbon
circa 1979
20/3
The Red Letter Day
undated
20/4
The Red Letter Day (An Easy-Reading Story)
undated
20/5
The Red Letter Day (A Picture Book Story)
undated
20/6
Running Deer: Nez Perce Boy (A Junior Novel) - chapters 1-9
undated
20/7
Running Deer: Nez Perce Boy (A Junior Novel) - chapters 10-18
undated
20/8-20/10
The Runt (A Boys' Novel) (probable re-write of Half-Pint Fisherman
undated
20/11
The Runt (A Novel for Boys) (probable re-write of Half-Pint Fisherman
undated
20/12
The Runt (A Novel for Boys 10-14) (probable re-write of Half-Pint Fisherman
undated
20/13
The Secret Pen-Pal
undated
20/14
The Shilly Shallys - author's notes and script
undated
20/15
The Shilly Shallys (A Picture Book Story)
undated
20/16
The Shilly Shallys (An Easy Reading Story)
circa 1961
20/17
The Shilly Shallys (Easy Reading)
undated
20/18
The Smartest Man in Town (A Picture Book Story)
circa 1977
20/19
The Smartest Person in Town (A Picture Book Story)
undated
20/20
Susan and the Storm Teen Digest
circa 1960
21/1
A Time to Every Purpose (A Contemporary Adult Novel) (Diablo Deluge, original title Cataclysm): Part I - first draft
1978
21/2
A Time to Every Purpose (A Contemporary Adult Novel) (Diablo Deluge, original title Cataclysm): Part II - first draft
1978
21/3
A Time to Every Purpose (A Contemporary Adult Novel) (Diablo Deluge, original title Cataclysm): Part I - second draft
1978
21/4
A Time to Every Purpose (A Contemporary Adult Novel) (Diablo Deluge, original title Cataclysm): Part II - second draft
1978
21/5
A Time to Every Purpose (A Contemporary Adult Novel) - synopsis and draft
undated
21/6
A Time to Every Purpose (An Adult Novel) - synopsis, contents; The Survival Club (A Time to Every Purpose) - outline and Part I
circa 1978
21/7
The Survival Club: Part II (partial)
circa 1978
22/1
The Survival Club: Part II (partial) and Part III
circa 1978
22/2
The Survival Club: Part IV
circa 1978
22/3
A Time to Every Purpose(A Contemporary Adult Novel): Part I
undated
22/4
A Time to Every Purpose(A Contemporary Adult Novel): Part II
undated
22/5
A Time to Every Purpose(A Contemporary Adult Novel): Part III
undated
22/6
A Time to Every Purpose(A Contemporary Adult Novel): Part IV and Part V, Epilogue
undated
22/7
A Time to Every Purpose: Part I
undated
22/8
A Time to Every Purpose: Part II and Part III
undated
22/9
A Time to Every Purpose: Part IV and Part V, Epilogue
undated
22/10
Two Kinds of Courage (serialized as "Snow Bunny Brad" in eight issues of Twelve/Fifteen
1966 November-1967 January
23/1
Two Kinds of Courage - galleys and foundry proof
1960
23/2
What's in a Will? (A Suspense Novel)
circa 1980
23/3
What's in a Will? (A Suspense Novel) - typescript
undated
23/4
What's in a Will? (A Suspense Novel)
undated
23/5
Who Steals My Purse? - synopsis and Part I
undated
23/6
Who Steals My Purse? (A Novel) (original title The Libel Letter
undated
23/7
Who Steals My Purse? (A Novel)
undated
24/1
Who Steals My Purse? - synopsis, Part I and Part II
undated
24/2-24/4
Who Steals My Purse?
undated
24/5
The Wishy Washys
undated
24/6
The Wishy Washys (An Easy-Reading Story) - typescript
undated
24/7
The Wishy Washys
undated
24/8
The Wishy Washys
circa 1977
24/9
The Wishy Washys (Easy Reading)
circa 1980
24/10
The Wishy Washys
undated
24/11
Wonder Workers in Communication - proposals, "Teachers' Manual"
undated
24/12
Wonder Workers in Communication: Lesson 1
undated
24/13
Wonder Workers in Communication
undated
24/14
Wonder Workers in Industry
circa 1979
24/15
Wonder Workers in Transportation
circa 1979
24/16
More Wonder Workers
circa 1979

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Children's literature -- 20th century -- Archival resources.
  • Women authors, American -- Washington (State) -- Archives.

Personal Names

  • Montgomery, Elizabeth Rider -- Archives.