Fonds - Geoffrey Ursell fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

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Geoffrey Ursell fonds

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Fonds

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Date(s)

  • [1965?]-1988 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

6.96 m of textual records and other material

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Name of creator

Biographical history

Geoffrey Ursell was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1943. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Masters of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1965 and 1966 respectively. His Ph.D. was earned from the University of London in 1973. He returned to the University of Manitoba as a Lecturer in English from 1971 to 1973. From there he went to the University of Regina as a Special Lecturer (1975-1978) and Special Assistant Professor in English (1980-81 and 1982-83). Ursell is a writer, composer, poet, and editor. He has earned many awards: the Clifford E. Lee Playwriting Award, Edmonton Critic's First Night Award, Performing Arts in Canada One-Act Play Competition, Persephone Theatre National Playwriting Competition Award and Books in Canada First Novel Award plus grants from Canada Council, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council Explorations Grant and many others. His professional activies are numerous: President, Thunder Creek Publishing Co.; Writer-in-Residence, Saskatoon Public Library and Winnipeg Public Library; Associate Director, 25th Street Theatre; member-at-large, Writer Director and Vice-President, Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA); President, Saskatchewan Writers' Guild; and member, Saskatchewan Sport Trust Cultural Steering Committee. He has had articles published in various publications such as: "Grain". "NeWest Review", "Quarry", "Western People", "Canadian Fiction Magazine", and "This Magazine".

Custodial history

Scope and content

Fonds consists of personal and professional papers of Saskatchewan writer Geoffrey Ursell. The bulk of the fonds is composed of background and research materials, drafts, manuscripts, revisions, notes, publications, publicity material, contracts, correspondence, outlines, scripts, photographs, and other documentation relating to Ursell's extensive writing projects including novels, plays, poetry, short stories, and songs, as well as writing workshops. Since several of his works are historical in nature, some of the research files contain copies of archival documents and photos dating back to the 1800s. Ursell's association with a number of professional organizations including ACTRA, Saskatchewan Sport Trust, the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, and others are reflected in files containing reports, committee records, membership lists, minutes, publicity material, financial records, correspondence, policy papers, and grant applications. A substantial series of business files contain correspondence, financial records, and other documentation pertaining to his diverse endeavors, and his involvement as an editor with Coteau Books and Salt magazine is documented through business records and edited manuscripts by other writers. Records relating to his M.A. and Ph.D theses, and to his teaching career at the University of Manitoba and the University of Regina, and small quantities of personal correspondence are also present.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

Geoffrey Ursell's original arrangement was adhered to as closely as possible.

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Script of material

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Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

Numerous files are closed; access only to those with written permission from the donor.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Copyright retained by the donor.

Finding aids

Inventory for 89-1 is available.

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General note

Includes 4 photographs, 3 audio discs, 1 audio cassette and 12 oversize items.

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