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| JESSAMYN
WEST ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| |
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Jessamyn West (1902-84) the noted Quaker
novelist, graduated from Whittier College in
1923. She published 22 books during her
lifetime. Her literary output spanned a wide
array of literary genres: novels, short stories,
essays, memoirs, screenplays, poetry, science
fiction, and operetta. Her first book, and most
famous work, was The Friendly Persuasion,
published in 1945. William Wyler directed an
award-winning motion picture version of the
novel, entitled Friendly Persuasion. West and
her husband, Dr. Harry M. McPherson, presented
the College with copies of all of her published
works, and the complete states of all of her
manuscripts. This collection also includes
critical and biographical materials; nearly all
of her periodical publications; typescripts and
poems (longhand); and a growing collection of
letters. Her entire personal library arrived on
campus in 2001, and is currently being
cataloged. Jessamyn West was awarded two
honorary doctoral degrees by her alma mater, and
served on the Whittier College Board of
Trustees. |
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