Guide to the Donald E. Luke and Anne Purdy correspondence
1948-1949
Collection number: HMC-1159.
Creator: Luke, Donald E.
Purdy, Anne.
Title: Donald E. Luke and Anne Purdy correspondence.
Dates: 1948-1949.
Volume of collection: 0.01 cubic feet.
Language of materials: The materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Correspondence between an Alaskan journalist and an Alaskan writer.
Biographical note:
Donald E. Luke was born in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan, and later attended the University of Washington, majoring in journalism. From 1948-1949, Luke served as editor of Alaska Life Magazine, and then was the news editor for the Toppenish Review, as well as Radio KYAK, Yakima from 1949-1953. From 1957-1959, Luke was a public information officer for the Washington State Department of Health, and from 1949-1961 was the managing editor of the Tacoma Suburban Times. In 1961, Luke and his family moved to Arizona where he worked in marketing, advertising, and public relations. He died in 2010.
Ann Purdy (née Hobbs) was born in 1907 in Missouri. She moved to Alaska in 1928 and taught in Eagle, Tetlin, and Chicken for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She married Fred Purdy of Chicken, Alaska in 1940, and the couple later adopted eleven children. Mrs. Purdy wrote the book Tisha, based on her experiences as a teacher. She also wrote another book, Dark Boundary, as well as numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Anne Purdy died at Dot Lake on April 15, 1987.
Collection description:
This collection contains correspondence between Donald E. Luke and Anne Purdy. Subjects of the letters mainly consist of Purdy’s newspaper and magazine articles for Alaska Life Magazine, as well as one of her book manuscripts. There is also a letter from Beulah W. Thornburg regarding Purdy’s and Luke’s professional relationship.
Arrangement: This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to the materials authored or created by Donald E. Luke has been transferred to Archives and Special Collections.
Preferred citation: Donald E. Luke and Anne Purdy correspondence, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Background information on Donald E. Luke was provided by the donor.
Related materials: HMC-0414, Anne Purdy papers.
Acquisition note: This collection was donated to Archives by Bonnie Martin in 2014.
Processing information: This collection was described by Veronica Denison in 2014.