SIBLEY, CELESTINE, 1917-1999.
Celestine Sibley papers, 1900-1997
Celestine Sibley papers, 1900-1997
Emory University
Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-727-6887
rose.library@emory.edu
Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8zw39
Descriptive Summary
Creator: | Sibley, Celestine, 1917-1999. |
---|---|
Title: | Celestine Sibley papers, 1900-1997 |
Call Number: | Manuscript Collection No. 762 |
Extent: | 25.25 linear feet (40 boxes), 2 bound volumes (BV), 6 oversized bound volumes (OBV), and 2 oversized papers boxes (OP) |
Abstract: | Papers of Georgia journalist and author Celestine Sibley, including correspondence, writings, photographs, clippings and watercolor illustrations. |
Language: | Materials entirely in English. |
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Unrestricted access.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
Source
Gift, 1994, with subsequent additions.
Citation
[after identification of item(s)], Celestine Sibley papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.
Processing
Processed by Pat Clark, January 2001.
This finding aid may include language that is offensive or harmful. Please refer to the Rose Library's harmful language statement for more information about why such language may appear and ongoing efforts to remediate racist, ableist, sexist, homophobic, euphemistic and other oppressive language. If you are concerned about language used in this finding aid, please contact us at rose.library@emory.edu.
Collection Description
Biographical Note
Celestine Sibley was born in 1917 in South Georgia, near Mobile, Alabama. Her parents, Evelyn "Dixie" and Henry Colley, separated shortly after she was born, and although the couple never divorced, Celestine's mother married Wesley Reeder Sibley in 1924. Celestine Sibley began writing for her high school newspaper, and in 1932 she interned at the Mobile Press "for experience." Although she planned on becoming a movie star or a lawyer, journalism soon captivated her interest. She especially loved reviewing films, writing obituaries, and covering trials. This fascination with high drama would remain with her for the remainder of her career.
While at the Mobile Press Celestine met Jim Wainraight Little, a socially prominent yet poor fellow journalist. The couple married on 31 August 1936 and settled in Pensacola where Jim worked at the Pensacola News-Journal. Celestine soon joined the staff of the paper. In 1941, the Associated Press in Atlanta hired Jim, and as before, Celestine followed him to a new city. Although initially turned down by both the Atlanta Constitution and the Atlanta Journal, Celestine was eventually hired by the Constitution, where she worked until her death on August 15, 1999.
In addition to a distinguished career with the Constitution, Celestine Sibley published a number of novels, mystery stories, and an autobiography.
Biographical Source: Sibley, Celestine. Turned Funny: A Memoir. New York: Perennial Library, 1989
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of the papers of Celestine Sibley, of Atlanta, Georgia, from ca. 1900-1997. The papers include correspondence (1949-1996) pertaining primarily to her professional career as a columnist for the Atlanta Constitution; writings (1959-1997) which include books, newspaper columns, and miscellaneous shorter works; subject files (1931-1996); photographs (ca. 1900-1993); a scrapbook and clippings of columns written by Sibley and about her professional life (1952-1988); original watercolor illustrations for two of her books (1967-1970); and a small collection of papers relating to her second husband, Jack Strong (1960-1963).
Arrangement Note
Organized into seven series: (1) Correspondence, (2) Writings, (3) Subject files, (4) Photographs, (5) Clippings, (6) Illustrations, and (7) Jack Strong papers.
Selected Search Terms
Topical Terms
- Women authors, American--Georgia.
- Detective and mystery stories, American--20th century.
- American literature--20th century.