I. Literary papers, ca.1960-1990, 154.5 cm of textual records: A. Projects (book files, Carl Rungius project, Peter and Catharine Whyte portfolio papers, other projects); B. General literary papers (loose papers and writing notebooks) includes Jon Whyte's concrete poetry; C. Career documents; D. Wo…
4.5 m textual records. -- ca.7600 photographs: ca.6400 transparencies, ca.1200 prints and negatives. -- 27 electronic records (425 files): computer diskettes. -- 39 sound recordings: audio tape reels, audio cassettes. -- 5 motion pictures
History / Biographical
Jon Anthony Whyte, 1941-1992, was an author, poet, writer, editor, journalist, broadcaster, publisher, environmentalist and museum curator at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Whyte was born in Banff to Jack White, son of merchant Dave White, and Barbara Carpenter Whyte. After public school education in Banff and Medicine Hat, Alberta, he received a B.A. in English from the University of Alberta in 1964, followed by a Masters degree in Medieval English in 1967. Subsequently, he received a Masters in Communications from Stanford University, California in 1974. His thesis at Stanford was a film documentary, "Jimmy Simpson, Mountain Man". During his time at U of A, Whyte worked as a broadcaster for CKUA Radio and as a sessional Instructor at U of A, 1965-1967.
Upon returning to Banff, ca.1968, Whyte managed the Book and Art Den and helped establish Summerthought Press. In 1969 he became a columnist for the "Crag and Canyon," continuing until 1991, and in 1970 became a board member of the Peter Whyte Foundation (now Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies). From 1980 until his death, Whyte was Curator of the Heritage collections at the museum. He continued to write and publish extensively throughout the 1980s. He was involved with the formation of the Writer's Guild of Alberta and was elected its president in 1990. He received the WGA's Stephan Stephansson Award for Poetry in 1983. Whyte was also active in numerous other organizations, including the League of Canadian Poets, Alberta Museums Association, Canadian Museums Association, Interpretation Canada, Bow Valley Naturalists and the Alberta Wilderness Association.
Scope & Content
I. Literary papers, ca.1960-1990, 154.5 cm of textual records: A. Projects (book files, Carl Rungius project, Peter and Catharine Whyte portfolio papers, other projects); B. General literary papers (loose papers and writing notebooks) includes Jon Whyte's concrete poetry; C. Career documents; D. Works by other writers and artists.
II. Personal / professional papers, 1948-1991, 325.5 cm of textual records: A. School and university papers; B. Correspondence; C. Alphabetical files; D. Travel papers; E. Organizations (incl. Writer's Guild of Alberta, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Bow Valley Naturalists, others); F. Other.
III. Electronic records, 1984-1991, 27 computer disks (425 files); files are mainly literary, with some letters and files pertaining to organizations, including the Whyte Museum
IV. Photographs and films, ca.1950-1991, ca.7600 items (mainly transparencies): A. Transparencies. Included in this sub-series are The Princess of the Stars musical drama performed in Banff National Park; B. Prints and negatives; C. Collected photographs; D. Films (5 items)
Consist mainly of prints by others re University of Alberta publication "Inside", also one original and copies of historical photographs, Banff, ca.1910; Nick Morant views of skiing and Stoneys in tipi, 1940s-1950s 2 items; Whyte home and Jon Whyte cabin (110 Bear Street), 1980s
Consist mainly of prints by others re University of Alberta publication "Inside", also one original and copies of historical photographs, Banff, ca.1910; Nick Morant views of skiing and Stoneys in tipi, 1940s-1950s 2 items; Whyte home and Jon Whyte cabin (110 Bear Street), 1980s
Access Restrictions
Access to negatives is by appointment only
Related Material
Photographs for Inside magazine are related to material in sub-series II.A. Jon Whyte personal/professional papers: school/university
Portraits and candid views of Jon Whyte. Consist of personal and professional photographs taken during childhoodand with family; University of Alberta friends; later friends, including Brandy (Jon's Dachshundt), Ed Cavell, Bob Sandford, Illingsworth "Buck" Kerr and others; last horsetrip with fami…
Portraits and candid views of Jon Whyte. Consist of personal and professional photographs taken during childhoodand with family; University of Alberta friends; later friends, including Brandy (Jon's Dachshundt), Ed Cavell, Bob Sandford, Illingsworth "Buck" Kerr and others; last horsetrip with family members, fall, 1991
31 photographs (25 transparencies (col), 6 prints (b/w)) SCOPE Consists of photographs re Skoki history, possibly collected for Skoki slide presentation. Includes transparencies of Skoki and area, 1955, 1956, 1960, possibly by Jon' brother Dave, captioned; and prints of Barbara J. Whyte and Legace family, l948.