Scope and Content Note
The papers of Herman Wouk (1915-2019) span the years 1920-2019, with the bulk of the material dating from 1934 to 2019. The collection documents Wouk's seven-decade career as a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction, as well as his personal life and family relationships. The papers are primarily in English, with some Hebrew, Arabic, and Chinese. The collection is organized in ten series: Correspondence, Diaries (Restricted), Digital Files, Personal File, Speeches, Interviews, and Lectures, Stage and Screen, Writings, Restricted, National Security Classified Information, and Oversize.
The collection documents Wouk's writing career chiefly from 1970 onward, focusing on his middle and later career, with less material related to his early writings. The material documents his entire writing process, from inspiration and research, through drafting, revisions, editing, and publication. Writings, correspondence, and personal material demonstrate the extensive influence of Wouk's wife, Betty Sarah Wouk, in his literary, business, and personal decisions. She served as his literary agent for decades and advised and edited his writings at every stage of his process. The collection highlights Wouk's lifelong interest in the state of Israel, and includes material from several trips and extended stays, as well as correspondence with Israeli officials and residents. Correspondence, writings, and professional associations demonstrate his deep committment to his Jewish faith and his efforts to reconcile the traditions of orthodox Judaism and modern life, which heavily influenced his writing. Writings and other material also reflect the influence of Wouk's World War II naval service and the effects of the Holocaust. Much of his personal material reflects Wouk's strictly regimented and disciplined approach to writing, finances, and physical health, and includes various types of diaries, journals, and workbooks.
The collection’s series are listed and briefly described below. A fuller description of each series and a list of its contents can be accessed in the series descriptions within the container list.
The Correspondence series consists of Wouk's general and personal correspondence dating from 1941 to 2019.
The Diaries (Restricted) series consists of diaries and journals kept by Wouk detailing his professional accomplishments, as well as personal, family, and historical events that occurred throughout his life.
The Digital Files series consists chiefly of text files, with some video, audio, and image files, created by Herman Wouk between 1980 and 2019.
The Personal File series contains family and personal correspondence, financial materials, awards and honors, biographical material, event files, charitable contributions, real estate documents, journals, memorabilia, travel files, and other materials that document Wouk's family relationships, personal achievements, and private life.
The Speeches, Interviews, and Lectures series documents the speeches, interviews, lectures, extemporaneous remarks, and readings Wouk gave throughout the course of his career, the bulk of which date from 1955 to 2004.
The Stage and Screen series consists of scripts, screenplays, and treatments written or consulted on by Wouk for theatre, television, and film.
The Writings series documents Wouk's nearly seven-decade career as a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction.
The remaining series contain Restricted, National Security Classified Information, and Oversize material.