The Manuscript literary magazine was published by the Oregon State College English Department in the late 1920s to early 1930s to highlight writing by Oregon State students. The contents included poetry, essays, and short fictional pieces written by students primarily for composition courses. Several issues include sketches and linoleum block prints depicting campus scenes and portraits of Oregon State faculty. Twelve issues of The Manuscript were published.
The first issue was published in spring 1927; the remaining eleven issues were published continuously, once per academic quarter from winter 1929 through spring 1932. The collection also includes an index of authors and titles, with a section of the index devoted to poetry. All 12 issues of The Manuscript and the index are available in Oregon Digital.
The Manuscript grew out of the success of a special issue of the Orange Owl that was coordinated by the English Department -- the Literary Number, published in June 1926. This first issue was “not … an organ of the English Department, but a student enterprise sponsored by the department.” The editorial and business staff were all students.
After a two-year hibernation, The Manuscript returned in Winter 1929 as a publication of the English Department in the form of a literary magazine of pieces written by students, primarily for composition courses and designed to serve as a “laboratory manual” for analysis and discussion in composition courses. The editorial committee of faculty was led by John M. Kierzek, chair of the English Department.
Beginning with the fall 1929 issue, The Manuscript added a Student Board of Editors to the faculty Editorial Committee. The first student board had four members: Dorothy L. Anderson; Audred Arnold; Bert Evans; and Enelse Janzen.
Several student writers have pieces published in multiple issues: Dorothy L. Anderson, Audred Arnold, Helen Hawkes Battey, Bert Evans, Enelse D. Janzen, Emma Wintler Johnson, Ardyth M. Kennelly, and Elwood A. McKnight.
The Manuscript ceased publication in 1932.
