Browne Popular Culture Library

Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Transfers | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction 

Willo Davis Roberts was a writer of mystery, suspense, gothic, historical and juvenile novels. Literary manuscripts and galley sheets from seven of her works form the core of this collection.

In 1973, Willo Davis Roberts began transferring her manuscripts to the Browne Popular Culture Library, Bowling Green state University. The collection is open for research, however, the photocopying of manuscripts must comply with applicable copyright laws. This register was compiled by Nancy White Lee, Popular Culture Library Associate II, in March 1986 and updated in August 2009 by Patricia Falk.

Biographical Sketch 

Willo Davis Roberts was born on May 29, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from high school in Pontiac, Michigan. On May 20, 1949, she married David W. Roberts, a writer and photographer. They have four children.

Roberts was a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction Writers of America, Authors Guild of Authors League of America, and Seattle Freelances. She won the Evansville Book Award, 1979-80, and Young Hoosier Award, 1979-80; both for Don't Hurt Laurie! Roberts believed that a writer can become stale and needs a change of pace. Consequently she wrote in a variety of literary genres. She especially enjoyed writing for children because they wrote to her with enthusiasm about her stories. Roberts died November 19, 2004.

Transfers 

The following books have been transferred from the collection to the Browne Popular Culture Library main stacks. Call numbers for these books may be found in the BGSU Libraries catalog or click on the titles below to go to each catalog record.

• The Annalise Experiment
• The Devil Boy
• The House at Fern Canyon
• Invitation to Evil
• The Terror Trap

Scope and Content 

The Willo Davis Roberts Collection consists of five manuscripts and two sets of galley sheets which represent seven books. Six of these books in published form are located at the end of the collection. The manuscripts and galley sheets are arranged chronologically.

Series Description 

Literary Productions

Series

Manuscripts (Literary)

1966-1972

Arranged chronologically.

Typed manuscripts, some with handwritten corrections by the author. This series includes five manuscripts and two sets of galley sheets.

Inventory 

Box 1

Folder	Description	Date
1	Nurse Kay's Conquest (Printer's manuscript)	1966
2	Once A Nurse (Original manuscript with corrections)	1966
3	Nurse At Mystery Villa (Original manuscript)	1967
4	Devil-Boy (Printer's manuscript, pp. 1-100 )	1970
5	Devil-Boy (Printer's manuscript, pp. 101-209)	1970

Box 2

Folder	Description	Date
1	Shroud Of Fog (Printer's manuscript, pp. 1-165)	1970
2	Waiting Darkness (Galley sheets and master proofs)	1970
3	Shadow Of A Past Love (Galley sheets and master proof set)	1972

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