Call Number:

ACC2079

Repository:

Temple University Libraries Special Collections Research Center

Extent:

15.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1965-1991

Abstract:

Thomas Edward Purdom (b. 1936) is a science fiction writer. His first science fiction story appeared in the August, 1957 Fantastic Universe. Over the years, he has published stories in all of the leading science fiction magazines and in various anthologies, and his works have been translated into French, German, Spanish, and Chinese. His titles include: I Want the Stars (1964), The Tree Lord of Imeten (1966), Five Against Arlane (1967), The Barons of Behavior (1972), and Reduction in Arms (1971). He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Purdom was a charter member of Science Fiction Writers of America and has served as that organization's vice president and on its public relations and grievance committees. In addition to writing science fiction, he also worked as a science writer for the University of Pennsylvania News Bureau, and as an editor for Doing It Right publications, which published safety and instructional manuals which were distributed to high school vocational arts students around the U.S.

This is a collection of manuscripts, correspondence, and papers of Tom Purdom. Papers include typed manuscripts of a number of short stories, novels, instructional guides, and nonfiction articles; galley proofs and typed drafts of stories by various authors published in the anthology Adventures in Discovery; professional correspondence with editors and fellow authors and some personal correspondence; reference materials for his nonfiction writing projects; clippings about various science-related topics; newspapers and magazine articles on the 1969 moon walk. The collection also includes correspondence and other materials related to the Science Fiction Writers of America, particularly Purdom's work on the Public Relations and Grievance Committees and planning of SWFA events, correspondence regarding a proposed non-fiction anthology on science and science fiction, and a folder of material on bicycling as a form of urban transportation.