Maxwell Aley Papers
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Abstract
Maxwell Aley (1889-1953) was an American writer, editor, publisher, and literary agent. After graduating from Indiana University, Aley began his career as editor of the "Daily Commercial" in Bangor, Maine. He held numerous positions as an editor at several magazines and publishing companies and eventually joined his wife, Ruth, as partner at the agency she established in New York City. This collection documents Aley's career and the endeavors of the Aley family's literary agency after his death, ranging from 1928 to 1990. Materials include correspondence, manuscripts, contracts, lists, publications, a few photographs, and one audiocassette.
Biographical / Historical
Maxwell Aley, an American writer, editor, publisher, and literary agent, was born September 21, 1889 in Indiana and died July 16, 1953 in New York. Aley grew up in Indiana and attended Indiana University. His first job was in Bangor, Maine at the "Daily Commercial" where he became managing editor in 1915. That same year he married Ruth Emeilie Tracy Parkhurst. They had two children, Maxwell Parkhurst Aley and Robert Jonathan Aley, who would both become partners in the Aley family's literary agency. Aley held numerous positions as an editor at several magazines and publishing companies in Maine and New York, and eventually left Longmans, Green and Company to join his wife, Ruth, as a parter in the agency she had already established. He was a co-founder of the American and International P.E.N. (Poets, Playwrights, Editors, and Novelists) Clubs, and an active member of the Society of Authors' Representatives, the Authors' League, the National Arts Club, and Phi Beta Kappa National Scholastic Honor Society.
Arrangement
The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of materials that document Maxwell Aley's early career as a writer, editor, publisher, and literary agent beginning in 1929 and the business endeavors of the Aley family's literary agency up to 1990. Materials include correspondence, manuscripts, contracts, lists, publications, a few photographs, and one audiocassette.
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People
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by Maxwell and Ruth Aley, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Maxwell Aley papers; MSS 066; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Maxwell Parkhurst Aley in 1997. The accession number associated with this gift is 0.066.
Custodial History
Materials were donated to the University of Wyoming American Heritage Center by Ruth Aley in 1991. Maxwell Parkhurst Aley transferred the materials from the University of Wyoming American Heritage Center and donated them to New York University in 1997.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact fales.library@nyu.edu with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Materials were placed in new acid-free folders. Original order and folder titles were retained. One audiocassette was rehoused in an appropriate case and photographs were placed in photo sleeves or mylar.
