Chad Oliver Collection

Identity elements

Reference code

TxAM-CRS C000008

Name and location of repository

Level of description

Collection

Title

Chad Oliver Collection

Date(s)

Extent

24 Boxes

Name of creator

(1928-1993)

Biographical history

Symmes Chadwick (Chad) Oliver was born on March 30, 1928, in Cincinnati, Ohio, residing there until his family moved to Crystal City, Texas during World War II. He discovered science fiction at age 12, as he recovered from a bout of rheumatic fever, and never lost his love for the genre. Oliver attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a B. A. degree in 1951, and a Master's degree in English in 1952. His thesis, "They Builded a Tower," was one of the earlier critical studies of the genre. His letters reveal an early attraction to anthropology that culminated in 1961 with a Ph. D. in anthropology from UCLA, and field study in Kenya. Oliver sold his first science fiction story in 1950 and remained active as a writer for the rest of his life. He is credited with being the first writer to insert an anthropological slant into a body of work. In addition to his science fiction, Oliver wrote three western novels, two of which won awards from the Western Writers of America.

Chad Oliver taught anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin from the early 1960s through 1992 and received awards for teaching excellence in 1980, 1982, and 1989. A liberal arts scholarship bears his name at the University of Texas at Austin. Chad Oliver died on August 15, 1993, in Austin, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jane (Beje), and two children, Kim and Glenn.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

This collection consists of Oliver's manuscripts, notes, and correspondence, published books, magazine appearances, books collecting his stories, foreign-language editions, clippings, and other related material. Chronologically, the collection ranges from the mid-1950s through the mid-1990s.

System of arrangement

This collection is arranged as received from the author.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

Physical access

These materials are stored offsite and require additional time for retrieval.

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

Boxes 16-24 were acquired by Hal Hall.

Accruals

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Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

R32-120 "Transformer". By Chad Oliver. Excerpt from unknown book. Printed, 8 leaves, photocopy.

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Notes element

Specialized notes

Alternative identifier(s)

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Rules or conventions

Sources used

Archivist's note

© Copyright 2019 Cushing Library. All rights reserved.

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