Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1776-1963, predominant 1900-1944 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2.4 m of textual records.
1049 photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Frederick John Niven, 1878-1944, was born in Valparaiso, Chile. He grew up and was educated in Scotland and visited British Columbia in 1899. A series of articles which Niven wrote about his Canadian experiences led him into journalism. In his spare time he wrote novels and soon devoted his time to fiction. In 1911, he married Pauline Thorn-Quelch, 1896-1968, and soon after made another tour of Canada.
During the First World War he worked for the food control board and ministry of information in England. In 1920 the Nivens moved to Nelson, British Columbia, where they remained for the rest of their lives. It was here that Frederick wrote his most outstanding Scottish novels, compiled his autobiography, and wrote historical novels of Canada.
For further information see "Frederick Niven" in Canadian Writers, 1890-1920 / edited by W. H. New. -- Detroit : Gale Research, 1990.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gifts of Pauline Niven and Judge R. Blake Allan, 1955-1975.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of correspondence, literary manuscripts (The Three Marys, When I was a Child, His Hour or Two, Mine Inheritance, Triumph, What's Past is Prologue, Family Album, The Staff at Stimsons, A Candle in the Rain, Tales of the Black Flag, Hands Up, Brothers in Arms, Under Which King, Island of Arran, The Transplanted, Once Upon a Time, The Garricks of Renfrew, Dead Men's Bells, The Flying Years, etc.), reviews of books, publication agreements, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings and family photograph albums. Includes Pauline's diaries (1947, 1959, 1961) and correspondence. Also includes material collected by Frederick for research purposes: ration ticket of Cree, Mechawayis of the Sweet Grass band (1885), and newspaper clippings about Sitting Bull, Sioux uprisings, etc. (1890s).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Digital content is available: https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/Package/2R3BF1S3QH9MQ
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Blackfoot Confederacy (Subject)
- Canadian Authors Association (Subject)
- Carman, Bliss (Subject)
- Gibbon, John Murray (Subject)
- Gooderham, George H. (Subject)
- Phillips, Walter Joseph (Subject)
- Sandwell, Bernard Keble (Subject)
- New, W.H. (William Herbert) (Subject)