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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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ca. late 1800s-2025 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
10.22 m textual records
ca. 14.5 Gigabytes born-digital files
881 photographs: b&w and col.
61 audiocassettes
3 pieces of artwork
Additional sound recordings
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Sylvia Fraser, novelist and journalist, was born in Hamilton, Ont. on 8 March 1935, the daughter of George Nicholas and Gladys Olive (Wilson) Meyers. She married Russell James Fraser on 30 May 1959. She was educated at the University of Western Ontario and began her career in journalism at the Toronto Star Weekly. She worked there until the magazine folded in 1968. She published her first novel, Pandora, in 1972 and has published several novels since then as well as works of non-fiction such as My Father's House (1987). She has also been a contributor to Saturday Night.
Fraser has been a guest lecturer at the Banff Centre (1973-1979, 1985, 1987-1988), Writer-in-Residence at University of Western Ontario (1980), a member of the Arts Advisory Panel to the Canada Council (1977-1981), a member of the cultural delegation to China (1985), an instructor at the Maritime Writers' Workshop (1986), and Vice-President of the Writers' Development Trust.
Fraser passed away in Toronto on 25 October 2022.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds comprises records related to Sylvia Fraser’s literary career, including her work as a journalist, author of fiction and non-fiction, and ghostwriter. Fonds also includes records from Fraser’s personal life.
Documentary forms include manuscripts in both print and digital formats, news clippings, photographs, and recordings on audiocassette.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
The first accrual (24-1993) was acquired in 1993, the second accrual (12-2012) was acquired in April 2012, both from Fraser. The third accrual (2023-030) was acquired from the estate of Sylvia Fraser. The fourth accrual (2024-020) was acquired from Susan and Nick McIlveen.
The fifth accrual (2023-030 and 2024-019) was acquired from Susan and Nick McIlveen.
The sixth accrual (2023-030 and 2024-019) was acquired from Susan and Nick McIlveen.
Arrangement
There have been six accruals. The first accrual has been arranged into the following series, following Fraser's own listing: Book Manuscripts; Journalism (includes publications, typescripts, research notes and interviews); Correspondence. It should be noted that the drafts of her novels, Berlin Solstice, The Emperor's Virgin, and A Casual Affair were placed by Fraser with her publisher, McClelland and Stewart, for safekeeping. She has indicated that these drafts belong to her and should be considered as part of her fonds. Manuscripts and galleys of the first two novels now form part of the manuscript series of the McClelland and Stewart fonds located in Archives and Research Collections, McMaster University. The second accrual has been arranged into the followings series: manuscripts and research material; correspondence and legal papers; printed and published materials; writing by others; sound recordings and moving images; realia.
The third accrual has been arranged in six series:
Series 1: Literary Records
Series 2: Correspondence
Series 3: Personal Records
Series 4: Photographs
Series 5: Oversize Materials
Series 6: Audiocassette Recordings
The fourth accrual has been arranged in one series:
Series 1: Oversize Artwork
The fifth accrual has been arranged in two series: (1) Oversize Family Photographs; (2) Personal Records.
The sixth accrual has been arranged in five series: (1) Literary Records; (2) Periodical Publications; (3) Ghostwriting and Editorial Projects; (4) Personal; (5) Activism.
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
The restrictions concerning My Father's House and The Book of Strange expired upon the death of Sylvia Fraser: Box 8, files 12-24, Boxes 9-11. Restrictions on computer disks have also expired, however access is not possible at the present time; please contact the archives for more information: archives@mcmaster.ca
The following files in the third accrual are restricted until the end of 2075:
• Box 44, Files 1-2
• Box 58, File 1
• Box 58, Files 3-38
• Box 58, Files 41-59
The following files in the sixth accrual are restricted until December 31, 2075:
• Entirety of Series 3 (Ghostwriting and Editorial Projects)
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
General note
Files described in the sixth accrual are access versions of Fraser’s original born-digital files. An appointment is necessary to access the born-digital records in this accrual. Please email the reference desk at the William Ready Division for further information.
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G. Dunks, 3rd accrual, 2024.
G. Dunks, 4th accrual, 2024.
G. Dunks, 5th accrual, 2025.
G. Dunks, 6th accrual, 2025.
