Robert Campbell Collection
Finding aid created by Harrison Memorial Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Harrison Memorial Library
2021
P.O. Box 800
Mission St & 6th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93921
(831) 624-1615
hml.localhist@gmail.com
https://ci.carmel.ca.us/library
Title: Robert Campbell Collection
Dates: circa 1960-2003
Collection Number: C35
Creator/Collector:
Campbell, Robert Wright, 1927-2000
Extent: 8 archival boxes and 2 folders
Repository:
Harrison Memorial Library
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93921
Abstract: This collection contains manuscripts and poetry from author Robert Campbell (1927-2000), also known as R. Wright Campbell,
along with photographs of Campbell near the end of his life, newspaper articles about his activities (1997-2000), and obituaries
and memorials (2000-2003). Campbell wrote 27 novels, 14 movie scripts and 4 stage plays, and was a scriptwriter for 10 television
series. He also is credited with coining the term “La-La Land” for Southern California.
Language of Material: English
Materials are open for research.
The Henry Meade Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library does not hold copyright to these items. Permission to publish
must be obtained from the copyright holder by the user.
Robert Campbell Collection. Harrison Memorial Library
Some materials donated by Laura Newmark.
Biography/Administrative History
Robert Campbell was born June 9, 1927, in Newark New Jersey. He studied at the Pratt institute in Brooklyn, New York, where
he earned a certificate in illustration in 1947. Campbell worked as a freelance artist and served in the Army during the Korean
War, after which he began writing film scripts in Hollywood.
Campbell was the author of 27 novels, 19 of them mysteries; 14 movie scripts; and four stage plays; and a scriptwriter for
10 television series, including “Maverick” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.” His writing career was a roller coaster of early success
and long periods of doldrums. In 1957 his screenplay for “The Man With a Thousand Faces” was nominated for an Academy Award
and his novel “The Spy Who Sat and Waited” was nominated for a National Book Award in 1976. Many of his screenplays were written
for Roger Corman, including Corman’s first film as a director, “Five Guns West” in 1955. He also published under the name
“R. Wright Campbell. Campbell is credited with coining the term “La-La Land” for Southern California, with the sale of the
first “Whistler detective novel, “In La-la Land We Trust,” also published in 1986. He moved to Carmel in the 1970’s and lived
there until his death on September 21, 2000.
Scope and Content of Collection
Manuscripts and poetry. 1 folder of photographs, and one of clippings and pamphlets.
Campbell, Robert Wright, 1927-2000
Carmel, Calif.
Author