Manuscript Collection - Jack Batten Papers

Identity area

Reference code

Title

Jack Batten Papers

Date(s)

  • 1928-2023 (Creation)

Level of description

Manuscript Collection

Extent and medium

138 Boxes (19.7 metres)

Context area

Name of creator

(1932-)

Biographical history

Jack Batten is a Toronto-based writer and journalist. Born in Montreal, Batten practiced law from 1959 to 1963, before turning his full attention to writing. He is the author of over thirty books, including non-fiction on biographies, history, sports, law, as well as young adult and crime novels. As a freelance journalist, Batten has written for magazines including Maclean’s, Rolling Stone, Chatelaine, Toronto Life and Reader’s Digest. He reviewed Jazz in the Globe and Mail in the 1970s, reviewed movies on CBC radio for 25 years and since 1998 has contributed a biweekly whodunit column in the Toronto Star.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Collection contains papers and other documents pertaining to the work of Jack Batten. It includes early drafts, edited manuscripts and galley versions of many of his published works. The collection also includes notes, reviews, printed ephemera, publicity tour information, general and financial correspondence, diagrams, photographs, and research and other materials, much of which relates to specific works. Correspondence includes letters to and from personalities, such as journalists Robert Fulford, Peter Gzowski and Michele Landsberg; publisher Jack McClelland, politician John Sewell; hockey pioneer Conn Smythe; and musicians Gary Burton, Blossom Dearie and Phil Nimmons.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

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      Finding aids

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      Existence and location of originals

      Existence and location of copies

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      Description control area

      Description identifier

      Institution identifier

      Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto

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      Dates of creation revision deletion

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          Accession area