Jon Hassler Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

101

Name and location of repository

St. Cloud State University Archives and Special Collections

Level of description

Collection

Title

Jon Hassler Papers

Date(s)

1976-1987 (Creation)

Extent

7.48 linear feet

Name of creator

Hassler, Jon

(1933-2008)

Biographical history

Jon Hassler was born in Minneapolis on March 30, 1933 and grew up in Staples and Plainview, Minnesota. After graduation from high school in Plainview, Hassler attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He graduated in 1955 with a bachelor of arts in English. While teaching high school English in Minnesota, Hassler earned a master of arts degree from the University of North Dakota in 1960. In 1965, Hassler began his college teaching career at Bemidji State University and would later teach at Brainerd Community College in Minnesota, and finally at St. John's University.

In 1980, Hassler was appointed writer-in-residence at St. John's University, serving in that role until his retirement in 1997. He died in St. Louis Park, MN, on March 20, 2008. He was survived by his wife Gretchen and his three children from his first marriage.

Hassler published his first book, Staggerford, in 1977. He continued writing for almost the next 30 years - his final book was The New Woman, which was published in 2005. Other publications include:

Four Miles to Pinecone (1977)

Simon's Night (1979)

Jemmy (1980)

The Love Hunter (1981)

A Green Journey (1985)

Grand Opening (1987)

North of Hope (1990)

Dear James (1993)

The Dean's List (1998)

My Staggerford Journal (1999)

Keepsakes and Other Stories (2000)

Rufus at the Door and Other Stories (2000)

Good People... from an Author's Life (2001)

The Staggerford Flood (2002)

The Staggerford Murders (2004)

Stories Teachers Tell (2004)

The New Woman (2005)

Hassler passed away on March 20, 2008 and buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. He was survived by his third wife, Gretchen, as well as children Michael, Elizabeth, and David.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The papers of Jon Hassler contain various drafts of four published books and one unpublished manuscript, as well as drafts for a play based on a published book. These are Staggerford (1977), Simon's Night (1979) (including a play based on this book), The Love Hunter (1981), The Book of Brendan (unpublished, early 1980s), and A Green Journey (1985). There is also a small amount of material, including audio and video, concerning events at St. Cloud State University related to Hassler's gift of material to the University Archives.

The papers show the evolution of the writing of the books, demonstrating how Hassler created, crafted, and revised the stories over time.

Material not in series:

This material includes St. Cloud State events related to the donation by Jon Hassler (including video and audio), as well as clippings, biographical information, and images. Also included here are uncut galley proofs for Staggerford, Simon's Night, and The Love Hunter.

Series 1: Staggerford (1977)

This series contains three drafts, a copy-edited draft and a small amount of material related to Staggerford.

Series 2: Simon's Night (1979)

This series contains mostly three drafts and a copy-edited draft of Simon's Night.

Series 3: Simon's Night: A Play

Two drafts are included in this series of a play based on Simon's Night.

Series 4: The Love Hunter (1981)

Included in this series are five drafts, as well as a copy-edited typescript.

Series 5: The Book of Brendan

Never published, the Book of Brendan served as source material for Grand Opening (1987) and North of Hope (1990). The books follow the childhood of boy Brendan Foster and his family.

This series includes at least two drafts of this unpublished manuscript, including material separated by chapter.

Series 6: A Green Journey (1985)

Included in this are five drafts of this book, as well as the galley proofs.

System of arrangement

The material is organized by series, which is by publication/manuscript. There are also a few materials, both physically at the beginning and end of the papers, that are in a series named "Other Records".

Records are located at 56A.2e-4f and 1B.3a.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

With the death of Jon Hassler in 2008, there are no access restrictions.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Permission to publish must be secured from the copyright holder.

With the death of Jon Hassler in 2008, long quotations (over five lines), may be authorized by St. Cloud State University.

Languages of the material

English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

Donation

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

Additional material was donated by Jon Hassler on January 17, 1985. This accesion included all of the material related to the 1985 book A Green Journal and theater play based on the 1979 book Simon's Night.

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

Additional papers of Jon Hassler are located at the St. John's University Archives in Collegeville, Minnesota. Though there seems to be some overlap, these papers cover Hassler's literary career after 1985. For more information, please see http://bit.ly/1hC71xF.

Related descriptions

Notes element

General note

The published books that were part of this collection were removed. Those that were autographed were added to Rare Books. Those not autographed were moved to the circulating collection in the St. Cloud State library.