Nelson Bond Donates Collection to Marshall University Libraries

Nelson Bond, who attended Marshall University during the 1930’s, has donated his personal papers to the University Libraries.

Mr. Bond, a renowned author, is one of the founders of modern fantasy and science fiction. He has published 257 stories in 68 different magazines between 1935 and 1958; and over the past half-century, he has written 7 books of short fiction. His stories have appeared in more than 100 anthologies.

Mr. Bond is possibly best known, however, for his radio and television scripts. During the 1943-44 radio season, he wrote 46 half-hour crime dramas for ABC's Hot Copy, plus a smattering of scripts for The Dr. Christian Show, Author's Playhouse, and Curtain Time. In subsequent years, he would write scripts for The Black Book, Ford Theatre, Make Believe Time, The Sheriff Show, Mystery on the Air, Dimension X, Molle Mystery Theatre, Escape, and other classic radio shows. In 1946, his script on Mr. Mergenthwirker’s Lobbllies became the first play ever aired over a television network.

And, in his 95th year, Mr. Bond continues to write. He recently published a book entitled The Far Side of Nowhere and is completing work on another monograph, Other Worlds Than Ours, which is due for publication in 2004.

The collection of Bond’s papers donated to Marshall Libraries includes the drafts of all his stories, as well as copies of the publications in which they were published. There are also copies of all his radio plays, verse, many articles, correspondence (including fan mail), contracts, agent correspondence, and financial records. His fans will find a full run of the Nelson Bond Society’s Newsletter. Of especial interest to patrons will be copies of foreign language translations of his stories.

Lisle Brown, Curator of Special Collections said, “The University is very fortunate to have Mr. Bond’s papers. They constitute a record of one of the most important contributors to fantasy and SciFi in the twentieth century. Marshall should be proud of Mr. Bond’s accomplishments, and we are honored to claim him as one of our most illustrious Alums.”

The first installment of twenty-six boxes has arrived at the John Deaver Drinko Library and additional boxes will be transferred in the near future. The collection will become part of Special Collections’ large manuscript holdings. The University Library also plans to recreate Mr. Bond’s office as part of the renovated Morrow Library.

Mr. Bond lives in Roanoke, Virginia, with his wife, Betty, whom he met while attending Marshall University. They have two sons. The Bonds’ will be the honored guests of Marshall University in early October, where Mr. Bond will share his experiences as an author and television writer with students and friends.

The exhibit's URL is http://www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/bond/default.asp.