Myrna Reid Grant Papers

SC-59
Grant, Myrna
9 Boxes (5 linear feet)
1959-1995 (bulk:1974-1983)

Introduction
The papers of Myrna Reid Grant, author and former faculty member of the Graduate Communications Department at Wheaton College, mainly concerns Grant's career as a writer.

Provenance: Original received as a part of the Faculty and Alumni Collection, the papers of Myrna Grant became a single collection in 1993.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this collection. Duplication may be restricted if copying could cause damage to items.

Collection Description
The Myrna Reid Grant Collection mainly concern Grant's career as a writer. The bulk of the collection is formed of manuscripts and business/professional correspondence.

The collection contains manuscripts of all of Myrna Grant's books published between 1974 and 1983. Multiple manuscript versions are present for many of the books, showing Grant's works in progress from early drafts to final typescripts and ultimately galley proofs. In addition to manuscripts the collection includes reviews, advertisements and adaptations of the books to other media (e.g. radio or television). Supporting the manuscripts for Vanya and The Journey are Grant's research materials for these books, including copies of documents, magazine articles, notes, correspondence, and oral interviews.

Another major section of the collection contains articles written by Grant between 1962 and 1977. These cover a variety of topics both for children and adults. These publications include feature articles, book reviews and an advice column.

A number of biographies and dramas written for radio form a third major section of the collection. Many of these manuscripts are incomplete and/or are damaged by mildew. The files were fumigated in 1986.

The final major portion of the collection consists of correspondence spanning 12 years from 1972 1983, with 1978 79 being the years of greatest bulk. Most of the letters are of a business nature, with media figures and former students making up many of the correspondents. Letters to Grant as well as copies of her replies are present in many cases. An alphabetical listing of major correspondents is included later in this register.

Other items in the collection are Grant's 1986 Northwestern University dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, photographs and conference brochures.

Biographical/Historical Sketch
Myrna Reid Grant was born March 9, 1934 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She earned the degree of R.N. from St. Joseph's Hospital in her natal town and later attended Moody Bible Institute, taking a B.Sc.. Her graduate work was done at Wheaton College and Northwestern University, where, in 1986 she was awarded the Ph.D. Her dissertation was on the communication career of Malcolm Muggeridge.

As a free lance writer, Grant produced articles, columns and reviews for both children and adults on a variety of topics. In 1974 her first book, Let's Put on a Play was published, followed by the popular Vanya. This latter work brought Grant to a topic which became a great concern of hers: the plight of Christians behind the Iron Curtain. Other publications include the Ivan series, (1974 1980), The Journey (1978, a biography of Rose Warmer), and Katya and the Silver Cross (1983).

In addition to books and articles, Grant has written, narrated and acted for the radio and has spoken at several writer's conferences and seminars. From 1974 to 1999, Myrna Grant had been a member of the Wheaton College Graduate Communications Department.

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