Papers of Opal Whiteley

This material is held atSenate House Library Archives, University of London

  • Reference
    • GB 96 MS 948, MS 949
  • Dates of Creation
    • c 1920-1991
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English.
  • Physical Description
    • 19 boxes, 1 bundle

Scope and Content

Manuscript 948 is a collection of postcards made by Whitely. Manuscript 949 are personal papers of Whitely, c 1920-1991.

Administrative / Biographical History

Whitely was born in Oregan , USA in 1899. She grew up in a logging community and, needing more mental stimulation, she began writing at the age of six. Her mystical and realistic diary, The Story of Opal: The Journal of an Understanding Heart became a best-seller and is still read widely today. She died in 1991.

Access Information

Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room

Archivist's Note

2000-03-16 Joseph Gelfer