Craig Lesley papers

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-727

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Craig Lesley Papers, which date from 1977 to 2013, houses materials related to author Craig Lesley’s books, Storm Riders,Burning Fence: A Western Memoir of Fatherhood, and River Song. Published in 2000, Storm Riders follows a single father struggling to raise his adopted Native American son, who was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. This series includes Lesley’s research materials on fetal alcohol syndrome, handwritten drafts and revisions, and a galley copy of the book. Published in 2005, Burning Fence: A Western Memoir of Fatherhood is a memoir about the men in Craig Lesley’s life and a portrait of the rural Northwest communities he grew up in. Published in 1984, Winterkill features Danny Kachiah, an Oregonian Nez Perce father, his son, Jack, and indigenous characters with a focus on fishing, traditions, and heritage. River Song was published in 1999 as the sequel to Winterkill and features the same characters Danny Kachiah and his son Jack. Published in 1995, The Sky Fisherman is a coming of age story about a young man dealing with a string of tragedies including violence against Native Americans, a devastating fire, and murder, occurring in his small hometown in rural Oregon. This collection includes Lesley's research materials, handwritten and typed drafts and revisions, and galley copies for each book. Also included is correspondence, documentation of book awards Lesley received, and publicity and press clippings related to the books.

Dates

Creation: 1964-2019

Creator

Lesley, Craig (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The donor retains copyright of the works. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from the Whitman College and Northwest Archives.

Biographical Note

Craig Lesley was born in The Dalles, Oregon in 1945. Lesley and his mother spent his childhood living in several towns throughout Eastern Oregon, including Madras, Pendleton, and Baker City. In 1963 he moved to Walla Walla to attend Whitman College, where he served as student body president in his senior year. After graduating from Whitman in 1967, Lesley went on to attend the University of Kansas, graduating with a Masters in English in 1970, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduating in 1980 with a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing.

Craig is the author of four novels and a memoir, along with numerous other works. With his wife, Katheryn Stavrakis, he has also edited two anthologies of short fiction. Twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, he has received a Breadloaf Fellowship, three Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Awards, the Western Writers of America Golden Spur Award for Best Novel, and an Oregon Book Award. In addition, Lesley has written book reviews for the New York Times and the Washington Post. He has been the recipient of several national fellowships. In 1991, Lesley was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Whitman College.

Since the 1970s, Lesley has served as Writer-in-Residence at Lewis and Clark College, and as Hallie Ford Professor of English at Willamette University. He also taught in the English department at Whitman College as an interim professor during the 2001-2003 school years. He has served as Senior Writer-in-Residence at Portland State University and as a faculty member of the Pacific University Masters in Fine Arts Program.

Lesley currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Katheryn Stavrakis, and has two adult children.

Extent

8.8 Linear Feet (22 manuscript boxes and 1 flat box)

1 Cassettes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Craig is the author of four novels and a memoir, along with numerous other works. The Craig Lesley Papers, which date from 1977 to 2013, houses materials related to author Craig Lesley’s books, Storm Riders, Burning Fence: A Western Memoir of Fatherhood, Winterkill, River Song, and The Sky Fisherman.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

The audio cassette has not been digitized. If you are interested in receiving an access copy, please contact the Whitman College and Northwest Archives.