The Paul Cutler Showers Papers document the life of a writer and editor, a University of Michigan alumni, an avid genealogist, a World War II veteran, and a prominent children's author.
The arrangement of the papers maintains their original order of four series including Correspondence, Family History, Personal and Professional Papers, and Visual Materials. These are in alphabetical order except for the Personal and Professional Papers series, which follows its original chronological organization according to Paul Showers's career. The papers contain very little information about his work as a children's non-fiction author. This portion of his papers are within the Kerlan Collection, which is part of the Children's Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota.
Paul Showers was born on April 12, 1910 in Sunnyside, Washington. His parents returned to their home in Michigan a few years after his birth. His parents studied music at Michigan Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) and returned to continue their careers: Frank Showers was a music teacher and choir director while M. Ethelyne Showers was a concert vocalist.
After graduating high school, Paul attended the University of Michigan to study English and theater. He became involved with many campus activities including university theater productions and Michigamua. Paul also joined the staff of the Michigan Daily and the Gargoyle, becoming an editor for both. He also formed life-long friendships with fellow writers from these publications.
Graduation in 1931 led to small theater roles throughout Michigan. His unsteady income was supplemented by freelance writing. In particular, he became the crossword puzzle creator for Life. At the time, Life was a prominent humor magazine and Paul designed extra large, witty puzzles full of puns and word plays. His time with Life ended when Time purchased the magazine and altered its focus.
Paul's career as a copy editor "newspaper man" began in 1937 when he became a member of The Detroit News's copy staff. After a few years, he relocated to New York City to work with the New York Herald-Tribune. His time with the newspaper was cut short when he entered the U.S. Army in 1942. While in the military, he began working for the Army's publication for soldiers, Yank Magazine. His involvement took him to Japan near the end of the war to work for the Okinawa branch of Yank. Diaries and recollections from this time describe his reactions to Japanese culture and post-war devastation of Japan.
The end of the war brought Paul back to New York City where he began his career as a copy editor with the New York Times Sunday Department. He took on additional roles during his time with the paper including Travel Editor (1949-1961), editor of the Sunday Magazine (1961-1976), and writer of book reviews and "Times Talk" columns. Paul turned in his New York Times resignation on July 4, 1976, declaring his own independence from the newspaper life.
Paul Showers was fascinated by children's process of learning reading skills. His curiosity led him to write Find Out by Touching in 1961. The book engaged children through scientific questioning and activities that were applied to their everyday life. The success of the book led him to author over twenty additional children's titles for the science series "Let's Read and Find Out." Paul Showers's clear, straightforward, and often humorous text paired with vivid illustrations combined to create award-winning books. The Bentley Historical Library holds little manuscript material regarding his activities as a children's author. However, his books, research materials, notes, publisher correspondence, production processes, and children's fan mail are located within the Kerlan Collection of the Children's Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota.
Paul Showers studied his family and ancestors throughout his life. His research, correspondence, and recollections reveal his desire to learn about the roots of his family's conservative actions and beliefs. Paul rebelled against these constraints: I have spent my life trying to free myself from the straightjacket of my childhood and adolescence. All other objectives have been secondary. But a life is not a solitary entity. It is only one segment of a continuity of genes with its inheritance of opinions and attitudes, ambitions and illusions that passes down from one generation to the next. (Paul Showers Papers, Box 1, Personal and Professional Papers - Biographical Material - Chronology and Memories)
His introspective struggles are evident within his journals and correspondence. Descriptions vary between poetic entries and frank recollections. These personal admissions describe the clash between modern life and values rooted in 19th century America.
