Elizabeth Gunn papers

MS 785
Image
Color photograph of author Elizabeth Gunn. She is smiling and wears a blue winter coat and black mittens. Behind her is a Jeep and snow covered mountains.

Mystery writer Elizabeth Gunn.

Collection dates: 1963 to 2021

About this collection

The Elizabeth Gunn papers include her work as a mystery author and travel writer. Items include personal material, including log books for boating, diving, and flying, a hat from the Tucson police department, and calendars. Published and unpublished writing including manuscripts and articles; correspondence and thank you letters; photographs most taken by Phil Gunn; printed materials including book covers, magazines, and news clippings; audiovisual materials including audiotapes, videocassette tapes, DVD, and harddrives; born digital materials including websites and books; objects including hats, medals, promotional items, police badge and promotional items.

Historical background

Elizabeth Gunn was born in Chatfield, Minnesota in 1927. On a trip in Yellowstone National Park she met her Husband Phil Gunn, they would get married and go through college together. After college they ran a motel in Montana for over twenty five years. During this time Elizabeth earned her pilot's license and with her husband took trips across the country. After selling their motel they traveled full time and Elizabeth began to write travel articles for different newspapers. After their travels they settled down in Tucson, Arizona and Elizabeth started her career as a mystery author. She wrote eighteen novels, seven set in Tucson, ten in Minnesota and one in Montana.

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