The Anderson Public Library’s Indiana Room is now the home of the Fred Mustard Stewart Collection, memorabilia belonging to the late best-selling fiction author who was an Anderson native. The collection was donated to the Indiana Room by the author’s widow, Joan Richardson Stewart, and is available to historians, researchers and those interested in Stewart’s career.
Fred Mustard Stewart wrote 16 best-selling novels, including “The Mephisto Waltz” (1969), “Lady Darlington” (1971), “Six Weeks” (1976), “The Titan” (1985) and “Pomp and Circumstance” (1991), and is probably best known for his series of saga books such as “The Mannings” (1973), “Century” (1981), “Ellis Island” (1983) and “The Glitter and the Gold” (1985).
“The Mephisto Waltz” and “Six Weeks” were made into motion pictures and Ellis Island became a top rated 1984 TV miniseries. Stewart also wrote the script for the 1973 television film “The Norliss Tapes.”
Born in Anderson on Sept. 17, 1932, Fred Mustard Stewart was the son of banker Simeon Stewart and Janet (Mustard) Stewart. After elementary school in Anderson, he attended Lawrence School in New Jersey and graduated from Princeton University in 1954. Planning a career as a concert pianist, he studied with Eduard Steuermann at the Julliard School and then served in the Coast Guard before returning to Anderson in the late 1950s to sell real estate.
He moved to New York City in 1960 to purse a writing career and wrote numerous television, and other, scripts before the publication of his first novel in 1969. Stewart died in February 2007, and was buried at sea.
The Fred Mustard Stewart Collection contains hundreds of items relating to the late author and his career. There are scores of manuscripts for plays, television shows, novels, film treatments, short stories, project outlines and summaries, and even a fugue.
There are several copies of the un-produced play “Dracula – The Musical” for which Stewart wrote the script and music score. In addition, the collection contains a Princeton scrapbook, diaries, notes and letters, boxes of fan mail, information on the author’s many speaking engagements and personal appearances as well as publicity material for his various projects and tapes and DVDs of the works.
There are also many copies of Stewart’s books, both in U.S. hardcover and paperback editions, along with many translations from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain and Turkey.
This treasure trove is available for access in the Indiana Room during regular library hours. A future display of Stewart memorabilia is planned for December 2009.
------
The Anderson Public Library is located at 111 E. 12th St. The Web site: www.and.lib.in.us.
Community
At the Library: APL home to Stewart papers
- Community
-
-
Home a needed retreat
Turning tragedy into triumph, Jim and Jane Coyle threw themselves into the project of building a new home after the death of their college-aged son.
-
'A day in their paws'
For Amy Swinford, staying in a concrete dog kennel with barred doors for 24 hours will certainly be challenging. But the Madison County Humane Society board member said the overnight stay was a tiny sacrifice in light of the situation that dogs and cats are facing.
-
Area churches schedule Lenten breakfast series
The Anderson Area Christian Men’s Lenten Breakfast Series Committee recently announced the schedule of Lenten breakfasts for this year.
-
Verna Davis: Jesus' love deserving, and it's not too late to send a Valentine
This year I wish I had sent God a Valentine. I wish I had told that I love him more now than ever. I wish I had remembered to thank him for first loving me.
-
Community Briefs: Feb. 11
A compilation of community news items as published in the Saturday edition of the Herald Bulletin.
-
Church News: Feb. 11
The following are brief Church News items of local interest.
-
After-hours party joins night of romance at ASO concert
The Anderson Symphony Orchestra is hosting more than a night of romance on Feb. 11. It’s throwing an after-hours party with desserts, coffee and a cash bar.
-
Live music: Feb. 10
The following listings for live music are published in Friday's edition of the Herald Bulletin.
-
Weekend Calendar: Feb. 10
Entertainment activities at area venues for Feb. 10-11.
-
Search for history on Mars
Greg McCauley will discuss a Mars mission at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Pendleton Public Library, 595 E. Water St. The 45-minute talk featuring multimedia is free and open to the public.
- More Community Headlines
-
