Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the John Dennis McCallum Manuscripts
1956-1960
Cage 64
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- McCallum, John D. (John Dennis), 1924-1988
- Title
- John Dennis McCallum Manuscripts
- ID
- Cage 64
- Date [inclusive]
- 1956-1960
- Extent
- 2.5 Linear feet of shelf space, 5 Boxes
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- Typescript manuscripts of a selection of published works of the sportswriter John McCallum.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]
John Dennis McCallum Manuscripts, 1956-1960 (Cage 64)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Author John Dennis McCallum (1924-1988) grew up in Tacoma, Washington. His parents were Mildred Tiedeman McCallum and George McCallum, and he was one of five siblings. He graduated from Washington State University in 1947 with a bachelor's degree in English and journalism, after interrupting his education to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 670th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was a student-athlete who became a prolific author, a radio and television broadcaster, and a popular and successful lecturer.
McCallum played briefly in professional baseball with the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League, and then began his professional writing career. First, he worked as a staff journalist for several Pacific Northwest newspapers, then moved to New York, beginning his work there with a daily sports column for a small tabloid newspaper. Within a few years, he had a nationally syndicated column for the Newspaper Enterprise Association. He published his first book in 1954, eventually producing nearly 40 in total, mostly popular biographies and sports reference books. His books include sole-authored works as well as many collaborations, and some projects where he operated behind the scenes as a ghostwriter. In addition to these activities, he engaged in a variety of editorial work, and served as public relations director for the National Football Hall of Fame.
In 1961, he married dancer and television actress Marjie Millar, whom he met while working on her biography. They divorced in 1963. The biography, with the working title "Talk About a Girl," never published, is now lost.
McCallum received recognition for his important contributions to Washington State athletics, and was named to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame (1969) and the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (1993). Among his other honors are the Washington State University Alumni Achievement Award (1975) and a distinguished service award from Pacific Lutheran University (1972). His best-known book, a biography of Ty Cobb titled "The Tiger Wore Spikes," was named the best sports book of 1956 by the New York Times.
Biography/History
Many terms historically used to describe individuals and communities with disabilities are offensive and were used to dismiss, discount and dehumanize these individuals and communities. Terms often focused on a perceived impairment and not the person. MASC recognizes the harm caused by these terms. We retain the language in this finding aid to document history and preserve context.
Scope and Content
Typescript manuscripts of a selection of published works of the sportswriter John McCallum.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2022
https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Acquisition Information
John McCallum donated the manuscripts to WSU Library between 1957 and 1961.
Processing Information
In 2022, in response to evolving standards regarding the language used to describe individuals and communities with disabilities, Gayle O’Hara added a Historical Note to this finding aid.
Related Materials
Related Material
John Dennis McCallum Papers, circa 1920-1988 (Cage 799)
David Stidolph Papers, 1941-1997 (Cage 798) includes extensive correspondence with McCallum, covering a wide range of personal and professional topics.
Names and Subjects
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- McCallum, John D. (John Dennis), 1924-1988 -- Archives
Subject(s)
- Sportswriters -- United States -- Archives
- Authors, American -- 20th century -- Manuscripts
- Sports and Recreation
- Literature
Detailed Description of Collection
| box | folder | |||
|
That Kelly Family, authorized story of the Philadelphia Kellys. Published by A. S. Barnes, New York May 15, 1957 255 page typescript |
1 | 1 | ||
|
The tiger wore spikes, biography of Ty Cobb. Published by A. S. Barnes, New York May 31, 1956 338 page typescript |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Beginner's book of fishing, by John McCallum and Dave Stidolph. Published by Prentice-Hall July 18, 1958 119 page typescript |
2 | 3 | ||
|
Scooper [reminiscences and biography of Paul Conlon] Seattle, Wood & Weber 1959 393 page typescript |
2 | 4 | ||
|
Six roads from Abilene, some personal recollections of Edgar Eisenhower, as told to John McCallum. Seattle, Wood & Weber 1959 |
2 | 4 | ||
|
Draft pages and notes 100 page typescript |
2 | 5 | ||
|
Manuscript 216 page typescript |
2 | 6 | ||
|
Donor Correspondence 1957-1959 |
2 | 7 | ||
|
The world heavyweight boxing championship 1974 300 page galley proofs |
3 | 8 | ||
|
The encyclopedia of world boxing champions 1975 300 page galley proofs |
3 | 9 | ||
|
The encyclopedia of world boxing champions 1975 300 page page proofs |
3 | 10 | ||
|
Going their way 1969 100 page galley proofs |
4 | 11 | ||
|
Going their way 1969 200 page typescript with printer's marks |
4 | 12 | ||
|
The world heavyweight boxing championship 1974 300 page typescript with printers marks |
4 | 13 | ||
|
The world heavyweight boxing championship 1974 200 page galley proofs |
4 | 14 | ||
|
The story of Dan Lyons 1973 400 page typescript with corrections |
5 | 15 | ||
|
The story of Dan Lyons 1973 400 page page proofs |
5 | 16 | ||
|
Miscellaneous publicity brochures, pamphlets and other papers 1960-1975 8 items |
5 | 17 | ||