Robert Irvine Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0111

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Robert Irvine Papers consist of manuscript materials for several of the author's mystery novels, dating from 1978 to 1994.

Dates

Creation: 1978-1994

Extent

1.11 Cubic Feet (3 archives boxes)

Creator

Irvine, Robert R. (Person)

Scope and Contents

The Robert Irvine Papers consist of his manuscripts and outlines for novels written between the years 1978 and 1994. For any given novel the researcher will likely find the outline and edited copy, with the occasional page proof. The book manuscripts and outlines included in this collection are as follows: Horizon Hold, Film At Eleven (title later changed to Ratings Are Murder), Ratings Are Murder, Baptism for the Dead, The Angels’ Share, Gone to Glory, Called Home, Woman’s Work (title later changed to The Spoken Word), The Spoken Word, The Great Reminder, and The Hosanna Shout. The manuscripts for books written earlier than 1978 are not known to the author, as they were paperback novels and the publisher either kept them or discarded them.

Biographical / Historical

Robert Irvine was born March 16, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah to a pioneering Mormon family. He was educated at East High School and continued his education at the University of Utah in 1954. He studied here for one year and then transferred to the University of California at Berkley where he graduated in 1959 with degrees in Anthropology and Art History. After college Robert Irvine spent two years in the United States Army, 1959-1961, working as a counter intelligence agent.

Irvine decided to pursue writing after his time in the Army and began writing for newspapers. He wrote for with Huntington Park's Daily Signal and the Hollywood Citizen-News. Irvine then moved on to radio and TV, rising to become the News Director for ABC, KABC in Los Angeles. Here he helped develop "Eyewitness News." He also briefly wrote for the show "Two on the Town" for KCBS, Los Angeles.

Robert Irvine became a full-time writer in 1972, and had four stories published in "Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine" between 1972 and 1974. In 1974 his first novel, Jump Cut, was published and was shortly followed by Freeze Frame in 1975, a book that was nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe Award. He found a niche for writing about television in his mystery/detective novels. Novels like The Face Out Front (1977), Horizon Hold (1978), and Ratings Are Murder (1985) are all based in a television production atmosphere. He also delved into horror novels with books like The Devil's Breath (1982) and Footsteps (1982).

His writings took a turn towards his Utah roots when he began writing the Moroni Traveler Series which revolve around a lapsed Mormon detective. These novels are the first series of mystery books to involve network and TV news crews.

Robert Irvine is married to Angie Irvine. They reside in California.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright and other restrictions may apply to the materials in this collection. Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this collection were transferred to the Browne Popular Culture Library through a series of donations from Mr. Irvine including July 12, 1991, December 18, 1992, October 3, 1994, and November 1, 2001.