Lucy Johnston Sypher Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-1473

Scope and Contents

The Lucy Johnston Sypher Papers contain two pieces of correspondence from Sypher to Andrea Kulevsky in May 1978. Sypher was responding to a letter Kulevsky had written regarding the historical accuracy of Sypher's books. Sypher reported that one of the characters named "Edward Owen" was accurate, save for the fact that his last name was changed. She also noted that she was not sure what Kulevsky would find should she decide to visit Wales. Sypher noted that the house she lived in as a young girl had recently been torn down, and that the "old school" had been destroyed many years ago. Sypher also enclosed an autographed promotional flier highlighting The Edge of Nowhere and Cousins and Circuses.

Dates

created: 1977-2002
Other: Date acquired: 07/10/2003

Creator

Sypher, Lucy Johnston (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

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Lucy Johnston was born on August 6, 1907, in Wales, North Dakota. She was the daughter of George and Caroline (Gale) Johnston. She attended the University of North Dakota, where she was active in Chi Omega, Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Sigma Rho, Kappa Psi Omnicron, and the Mortar Board. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in January 1927, followed by a diploma in education in June 1927. She also attended Tufts University, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 1929. She married Wylie Sypher in 1929, the same year she began a long career as an instructor in English and history at Lasell Junior College in Auburndale, Massachusetts. She published her first children's book, The Edge of Nowhere, in 1972. The story was set in a tiny North Dakota village in 1916. Sypher told Contemporary Authors Online that "it is autobiographical to a large degree, but beyond that was my desire to present a whole way of life that has now disappeared." She continued the story in Cousins and Circuses (1974), The Spell of the Northern Lights (1975), and The Turnabout Year (1976). She received the University of North Dakota's highest honor, the Sioux Award, in 1977. She died in December 1990. Source: Folder 1 of the collection

Note written by

Full Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

1907-1990; UND Class of 1927 and author of children’s books set in Wales, North Dakota

Source of Acquisition

Shirley Kulevsky, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Method of Acquisition

Donation; Acc.#2004-2687

Related Publications

Cousins and Circuses by Lucy Johnston Sypher. Illustrated by Ray Abel. New York: Atheneum, 1974. Call Number: PZ7.S9847 Co The Edge of Nowhere by Lucy Johnston Sypher. Illustrated by Ray Abel. New York: Atheneum, 1972. Call Number: PZ7.S9847 Ed The Spell of the Northern Lights by Lucy Johnston Sypher. Illustrated by Ray Abel. New York: Atheneum, 1975. Call Number: PZ7.S9847 Sp The Turnabout Year by Lucy Johnston Sypher. Illustrated by Ray Abel. New York: Atheneum, 1976. Call Number: PZ7.S9847 Tu