John R. Riggs
DePauw University

DC 1162, 1375, 1796, 1797, 1834, 1914, 2577

Archives of DePauw University

and Indiana United Methodism

John R. Riggs Papers

1945 -

Size: 7 document cases, 2.8 linear feet

Restrictions: none

Accession #: UM 90-33, UM 90-41, D995.070, D998.061, D003.008, D003.114

Provenance: donor

Processed: Jenney Taylor, July 2002

Biographical Sketch

Born in Beech Grove, Indiana, on February 27, 1945, John Raymond Riggs is the son of Samuel and Lucille Riggs. John received a B.A. in 1967 and an M.A. in 1968 -- both from Indiana University in Bloomington. He did further graduate work at the University of Michigan in 1970-1971. John R. Riggs is the author of The Garth Ryland Mystery Series. At this time (February 1998), the series includes thirteen books. John lives with his wife, Carole, on an eighty acre farm five miles southeast of Greencastle. Besides writing and working part-time as the Archives Researcher at Roy O. West Library, John is a woodsman, river researcher, and collector of antiques and comic books.

Collection Statement

The collection is arranged chronologically. It includes two short stories that John wrote in 1967 while in college (both led to the development of The Last Laugh) and the typescript revised draft of The Last Laugh. The Leather-Shocking Tale is a book from which The Glory Hound evolved. There are manuscripts and the working copy of The Glory Hound and numerous drafts and the final working copy of Wolf in Sheep's Clothing. Also included in the collection is a folder of correspondence from the publishing house of Dembner Books regarding editorial changes in The Last Laugh, The Glory Hound, and Wolf in Sheep's Clothing. New additions to the collection in 1998 include manuscripts and working copies of Cold Hearts and Gentle People, Dead Letter, and Snow on the Roses.

DC 1162

Reviews, biographical information and clippings

Scholarships

One Night in October: short story written in 1967 while in college that led to the development of The Last Laugh (last page of the story is missing).

The Crush of Velvet: short story written in 1967 while in college that led to the development of The Last Laugh.

The Last Laugh: Title the Last Hyena, working copy

The Last Laugh: typescript

The Last Laugh: working copy

The Last Laugh: typescript returned from Manor Books, Inc.

The Last Laugh: typescript revised draft that was sent to Dembner Books for publication.

DC 1375

The Leather-Shocking Tale: book from which The Glory Hound evolved.

The Glory Hound: manuscript, first draft.

The Glory Hound: manuscript, second/third draft. By second/third draft, it is meant that John rewrote the first draft -- incorporated the necessary changes -- and then made additional changes on that second draft.

The Glory Hound: typescript fourth draft

DC 1796

The Glory Hound: working copy

Skunks and Jesus: typescript revised drafts one through four of what eventually became Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, incomplete.

Dragon Lives Forever: manuscript fifth draft of what eventually became Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

All the King's Horses: incomplete manuscript, sixth draft of what eventually became Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

All the King's Horses: manuscript seventh/eighth draft

All the King's Horses: typescript ninth draft

DC 1797

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: incomplete manuscript, tenth draft

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: manuscript, eleventh draft

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: typescript, twelfth/fourteenth draft

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: typescript working copy

Correspondence (1983-1989) from Dembner Books regarding editorial changes in The Last Laugh, The Glory Hound, and Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.

DC 1834

Cold Hearts and Gentle People: manuscript first draft

Cold Hearts and Gentle People: typescript

Dead Letter: manuscript

Dead Letter: typescript

DC 1914

Snow on the Roses: manuscript first draft

Snow on the Roses: manuscript second draft

Snow on the Roses: typescript

Snow on the Roses: original typescript sent to Barricade Books

DC 2577

The Lost Scout: manuscript, first draft

The Lost Scout: manuscript, second - third drafts

The Lost Scout: typescript

The Lost Scout: text design from Barricade Books

[dpu.inv\Riggs, John R.]