Bissell, Richard, 1913-1977

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Richard Bissell (1913-1977) was an American author, playwright and critic. In addition to his literary pursuits, Bissell also worked in the Venezuelan oil fields, as a seaman, a factory superintendent, and as a river pilot on the upper Mississippi and Monongahela Rivers. Originally from Dubuque, Iowa, Bissell graduated from Harvard University in 1936, married Marian Van Patten Grilk in 1938, and had four children: Thomas, Nathaniel, Anastasia, and Samuel. Some of his well-known works include the novel 7 1/2 Cents, which served as the basis for his play and later screenplay The Pajama Game, A Stretch on the River, and My Life on the Mississippi; or, Why I Am Not Mark Twain . Bissell died in Dubuque on May 4, 1977.

From the guide to the Richard Bissell Manuscript, 1964, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Author, of Dubuque, Iowa, b. 1913; d. 1977.

From the description of Papers, 1952-1973. (University of Iowa Libraries). WorldCat record id: 28412640

Author.

From the description of Papers of Richard Pike Bissell, 1952-1973. (University of Iowa Libraries). WorldCat record id: 233110730

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Abe Burrows papers, 1904-1993 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Bissell, Richard, 1913- . Richard Bissell reminiscences, 1971. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Bissell, Richard Pike. Papers of Richard Pike Bissell, 1952-1973. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Harvard Club of New Canaan, Connecticut. Records relating to a production of You can always tell a Harvard man, 1963. Harvard University Archives.
creatorOf Adler, Richard, 1921-. The pajama game [music] : a musical comedy / based on the novel "7 1/2 cents" by Richard Bissell ; music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross ; book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell ; vocal score edited by Louis C. Singer. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Papers, 1944-1981. Houghton Library
referencedIn Buzz Miller collection of playscripts, 1956-[1968? The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
creatorOf Faulkner, William, 1897-1962. Papers regarding Faulkner's work as Chairman of the Writers Committee of President Eisenhower's People-to People Program [manuscript], 1956-1969. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn John Mason Brown papers, 1922-1967. Houghton Library
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
creatorOf Bissell, Richard Pike. Letters to Grace Van Wormer. 1949-1950. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Styne, Jule, 1905-1994. Say, darling : a comedy about a musical / by Richard Bissell, Abe Burrows, Marian Bissell ; based on the best-selling novel by Richard Bissell ; songs by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne ; April 10, 1958. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Bissell, Richard Pike. Letters to Clarence A. Andrews. 1969. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn John Phillips Marquand correspondence Houghton Library
creatorOf Adler, Richard, 1921-. The pajama game: typescript, 2002. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Richard Bissell Manuscript, 1964 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Bissell, Richard Pike. Papers, 1952-1973. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Styne, Jule, 1905-1994. Buzz Miller collection of playscripts. 1956-[1968?] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Adler, Richard, 1921-. The pajama game : a musical comedy / music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross ; book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell ; based on the novel "7 1/2 Cents" by Richard Bissell ; book revisions for this production by Peter Ackerman , 2006. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Bissell, Richard Pike, 1913-. Letter to Robert A. McCown. Rowayton, CT. 1974 Jan. 31. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Bissell, Richard Pike, 1913-. Letter to Robert A. McCown. Rowayton, CT. 1974 June 4. University of Iowa Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adler, Richard, 1921- person
associatedWith Andrews, Clarence, person
associatedWith Bissell, Marian. person
correspondedWith Brown, John Mason, 1900-1969 person
associatedWith Burrows, Abe, 1910-1985 person
associatedWith Dolan, Robert Emmett, 1908-1972 person
associatedWith Faulkner, William, 1897-1962. person
associatedWith Harvard Club of New Canaan, Connecticut. corporateBody
associatedWith Havighurst, Walter, 1901- person
associatedWith Lewis, Sinclair, 1855-1951. person
correspondedWith Marquand, John P. (John Phillips), 1893-1960 person
associatedWith McCown, Robert A., 1939-, person
associatedWith Miller, Buzz person
associatedWith Minnesota Historical Society corporateBody
correspondedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
correspondedWith Sissman, L. E., 1928-1976 person
associatedWith Styne, Jule, 1905-1994. person
associatedWith Van Wormer, Grace, person
associatedWith Weinlander, Lillian Keil. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Dubuque (Iowa)
Grand Portage (Minn.)
Duluth (Minn.)
Iowa
North Shore (Minn.)
Iowa
Mississippi River.
Dubuque (Iowa)
Subject
American literature
American literature
Authors, American
American fiction
Literature
Mississippi River
Occupation
Authors, American
Authors
Critic
Librettists
Activity

Person

Birth 1913-06-27

Death 1977-05-04

Americans

Information

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SNAC ID: 10142855