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John Tebbel Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: -
Date: Mar 1967

Biographical History

John Tebbel (1912-2004) was an American journalist, editor, educator and media historian. Among other achievements he is know for his A History of Book Publishing in the United States, a 20-year effort published in four volumes from 1972 to 1980.

Born in Boyne City,Michigan, on November 16, 1912, Tebbel graduated from Central Michigan College of Education in 1935 and began his career as a writer and newspaperman, serving as city editor for the Isabella County, Michigan, Times-News. He also worked on a master's degree at Columbia University, which he received in 1937. He wrote for Newsweek magazine and worked as a reporter for the Detroit Free Press. In 1939 he became a writer for the Providence Journal; in 1941 he became managing editor of the American Mercury. Two years later, he joined the Sunday staff of the New York Times, became an associate editor of the publishing firm E.P. Dutton & Co., and acted as an associate in journalism at Columbia. He served as chairman of the Journalism Department at New York University, and in 1958 was named the first director of their Graduate Institute of Book Publishing.

Tebbel was the author of numerous books, including A History of Book Publishing in the United States, a biography of William Randolph Hearst, and two novels. He was also a regular contributor to the Saturday Review and other magazines.

Tebbel married the former Kathryn Carl with whom he had one daughter.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The John Tebbel Papers consist of biographical material, correspondence, subject files, manuscripts, and published material.

Biographical material is a single item, a press release providing biographical details.

Correspondence is almost entirely incoming. A few outgoing items, and letters to and from third parties, are filed at the end of the series. Many of the letters are in connection with the research for Tebbel's book on George H. Lorimer. Notable correspondents include Carl W. Ackerman, Nelson Algren, Henry Steele Commager, Thomas B. Costain, Marshall Field, Herbert Hoover, Henry B. Hough, Harold L. Ickes, Alfred C. Kinsey, Alfred A. Knopf, John P. Marquand, Mary Margaret McBride, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Kenneth Roberts, Lawrence E. Spivak, and Wesley W. Stout.

Subject files consist of bills and statements, a calling card of Jospeh Pulitzer, a legal agreement, and research material for Tebbel's book From Raqs to Riches.

Manuscripts consists mostly of typescript drafts, manuscripts, and galley proofs for Tebbel's books. There are also a play and a few unidentified items.

Published material includes a parody newspaper, newspaper clippings about others, and assorted other printed items.

Arrangement of the Collection

Incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically by sender. Outgoing correspondence is arranged in chronological order. Subject files are arranged alphabetically by type/topic. Manuscripts are subdivided alphabetically by type (e.g. books, plays) and within each type, alphabetically by title. Published material is arranged alphabetically by type.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

Special Collections Research Center has the papers of many journalists and publishers; please refer to the SCRC Subject Index or for a complete listing.

Subject Headings

Persons

Ackerman, Carl W. (Carl William), 1890-1970.
Alger, Horatio, Jr., 1832-1899.
Algren, Nelson, 1909-1981.
Commager, Henry Steele, 1902-1998.
Costain, Thomas B. (Thomas Bertram), 1885-1965.
Field, Marshall, 1834-1906.
Field, Marshall, 1893-1956.
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964.
Hough, Henry Beetle, 1896-1985.
Ickes, Harold L. (Harold LeClair), 1874-1952.
Kinsey, Alfred C. (Alfred Charles), 1894-1956.
Knopf, Alfred A., 1892-1984.
Lorimer, George Horace, 1869-1937.
Marquand, John P. (John Phillips), 1893-1960.
McBride, Mary Margaret, 1899-1976.
Rinehart, Mary Roberts, 1876-1958.
Roberts, Kenneth Lewis, 1885-1957.
Spivak, Lawrence E. (Lawrence Edmund), 1900-1994.
Stout, Wesley Winans, 1890-1971.
Tebbel, John William, 1912-2004.
Washington, George, 1732-1799.

Subjects

American newspapers -- History.
Authors, American.
Journalism -- History.
Journalists -- United States.
Mass media -- United States.
Presidents -- United States.
Press and politics -- United States.

Genres and Forms

Clippings (information artifacts).
Correspondence.
Drafts (documents)
Galley proofs.
Manuscripts for publication.

Occupations

Authors.
Biographers.
Journalists.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

John Tebbel Papers
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Table of Contents

Biographical material

Correspondence

Subject files

Manuscripts

Published material

Inventory