Garland Roark Collection
Dates
- 1946-1988
Creator
- Garland, George (Person)
Language of Materials
Conditions Governing Access
Extent
39.00 Cubic Feet
Biographical or Historical Information
The late Garland Roark was well known as a writer of seafaring adventures and, under the pseudonym George Garland, of Westerns. Roark held advertising positions with various stores in Texas from 1924 until 1946, when he quit to write full time. The decision proved fortuitous; throughout the 1950's and 1960's Roark maintained a solid reputation for pulp-style adventure stories.
Roark's first novel, Wake of the Red Witch, set the tone for his subsequent work. Set in the South Seas, the story revolves around sunken treasure and the cruel greed of the men searching for it. Early reviewers were less than enthusiastic about the book. Critical assessment notwithstanding, Wake of the Red Witch was a popular title, made even more so after it was filmed in 1948 with John Wayne as the star.
According to Joe R. Lansdale in Twentieth-Century Western Writers, "Many of Roark's main characters display the proud independence that was Wayne's trademark, as well as the trademark of the Western hero." As Roark's writing career gained momentum he received better notices for his works, and he attracted a loyal following for his sea stories.
Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series, volume 63, page 393-394.
Arrangement
Creator
- Garland, George (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Garland Roark Collection
- Author
- Anne Kendall
Repository Details
Part of the East Texas Research Center Repository