Title: Jack Ritchie Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1953-1983

Creators:

• Ritchie, Jack, 1922-1983.
• Ritchie, Rita.

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 91

Quantity: 0.4 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of Wisconsin author Jack Ritchie, contains correspondence, photographs, and awards.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0091

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Jack Ritchie (given name John George Reitci) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1922. He spent time as a student at Milwaukee State Teachers College and then enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he served in the Pacific for two years. It was during this time that Ritchie took in interest in mystery and crime fiction. He began writing stories under the name Jack Ritchie and had his first story "Always the Season" published in 1953. He married fellow Wisconsin author Rita Krohne (1930-2010) in 1954. She wrote children's adventure novels. The couple had four children together. Ritchie won many awards and had several of his stories produced for television or film. He was a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Council for Wisconsin Writers. Ritchie died in 1983.

This collection contains the papers of author Jack Ritchie. It contains correspondence, awards, and photographs. Also included is a DVD containing manuscripts by both Jack and Rita Ritchie. The first DVD contains copies of all of Jack Ritchie's writings, including alternate and unpublished works. The second DVD contains all of Rita's writings, including alternate and unpublished, as well as digital copies of contracts, clippings, biographies, vital records, and an interview. There are also five episodes of Tales of the Unexpected (1981-1984), three episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (The Alfred Hitchcock Hour) (1962-1964), and the movie A New Leaf (1971) on a flash drive that were all stories by Ritchie that were adapted to television or film.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically within each folder.

Ritchie, Jack, Papers, 1953-1983, Collection 91. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A New Leaf and Other Stories

The Year of the Horse

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39). Donor owns the copyright to the Rita Ritchie materials.

Acquisition Information

Collection was donated by Steve Reitci in March 2021. Materials accessioned as a Local History Manuscript Collection.

Processing Information

Processed by Bob Jaeger, August 2021.

Box   1 Folder   1	Awards and Honors, 1968-1979, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Correspondence, 1953-1983
Box   1	Manuscripts of Jack and Rita Ritchie, undated Physical Description: 2 DVD-R discs
Box   1	Mystery Writers of America, Edgar Allan Poe Award (statuette), 1982
Box   1 Folder   3	Photographs, 1959-1976, undated
Box   1	Videos, undated Physical Description: 1 USB flash drive