Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1954-1956 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
25 cm of textual records
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Iris Miller of Calgary, Alberta researched and wrote a biography of Alberta Premier William Aberhart in the mid-1950s. From 1954 to 1956, as part of her in-depth research, she interviewed over 100 people who knew Aberhart in person, or were familiar with his beliefs and career. These included his wife, members of the Social Credit party and government, political opponents, journalists, members of Westbourne Baptist Church, former students, and people knowledgeable about Major C.H. Douglas' monetary theories or dispensationalism. Miller, a career court reporter, used shorthand to record these interviews, and then subsequently transcribed them verbatim.
The resulting book (a long time coming) was co-authored and published in 1987 as Bible Bill : A Biography of William Aberhart / by David Elliott and Iris Miller. -- Edmonton : Reidmore Books, 1987. Miller moved to Ottawa, Ontario and remarried, becoming Iris Aubut.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Iris Aubut, 2014.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection consists of transcripts of interviews related to William Aberhart, undertaken for her biography. Interviewees included Jessie Aberhart, Earl Ansley, J.E. Brownlee, L. Denis Byrne, Stewart Cameron, Mr. Cartwright, Charles Cockcroft, J.B. Cunningham, Professor Farris, James D. Ferguson, Reverend E.G Hansell, Mrs. W.P. Harvey, John William Hugill, Cyril Hutchinson, William Irvine, N.B. James, Fred Kennedy, E.C. Manning, John McLellan, Charles Palmer, Charles Read Pearce, Norman Priestley, R.G. Reid, Clive Wilmott, Dr. Victor W. Wright, and many others. The collection also consists of various research material she compiled in the mid-1950s, including transcripts of radio broadcasts, a copy of Fred Kennedy's "black book" of Social Credit happenings (1934-1939); an episode of "The Man From Mars" radio broadcasts; excerpts from New Age Club correspondence and Westbourne Baptist Church minutes; and notes on Social Credit campaign methods.
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
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.