R.N. Hurley at UASC

In 1966 the University Library’s Special Collections began to acquire materials from Robert Hurley and these accruals continued until Hurley’s death in 1980. In 1991 the Library acquired a folder of correspondence from Ruth Miller, the daughter of Percy Wright (a prominent Saskatchewan horticulturist), containing letters written by Hurley which was added to the collection. Later, items originally donated to the Kenderdine/University Art Collection by Dr. W.A. Follow were transferred to the University Library Special Collections. This collection contains finished paintings, sketches, and experimental artworks by Hurley as well as correspondence, newspaper clippings, slides and photographs.

Along with the Robert Newton Hurley collection, Hurley and his works also show in a variety of other fonds and collections such as:

• The Westcott/Hurley fonds was donated to the library by Jim Westcott, a longtime friend of Hurley. Hurley promoted and sold Hurley's artwork in eastern Canada and came to own many pieces himself. He described himself as "an art collector, go between and the keeper of the Hurley Archives" (Novum in Libris, University of Saskatchewan Library, Spring 2009). This collection contains artwork, correspondence, clippings, slides, and photographs.
• The Russell/Walker/Hurley fonds is a smaller group of documents, but interesting none the less. Dr. Ralph C. Russell worked with Hurley at the Dominion Plant Pathology Lab, and they took many field excursions across the prairies - Hurley for material for paint, Russell for botany. This fonds contains correspondences, art, and photographs between the Hurley family and Russell family.
• The A.J.E. Child fonds is another small but interesting one. These materials came to the University through the estate donation of Arthur James Edward Child - the artwork went to the Kenderdine, and the archival materials, including photos and correspondence, were forwarded to the University Archives and Special Collections.

For access to any of these materials please contact the University Archives and Special Collections at ua.sc@mail.usask.ca or 306-966-6029.