• IdentificationMidwest MS Ervin
  • TitleInventory of the Mike Ervin Papers, 1970-2009, bulk 1980-2000 Midwest.MS.Ervin
  • PublisherThe Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
  • RepositoryThe Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
  • Physical Description2.1 linear feet (5 boxes)
  • Date
    • Bulk, 1980-2000
    • 1970-2009
  • Location1 14 6
  • AbstractPapers of and materials collected by Mike Ervin, a Chicago playwright, writer on topics relating to the physically disabled, occasional poet, and activist on disability issues. The collection includes many clippings and articles by Ervin, and some articles about him, his plays and short stories, plus some poems and photographs, publicity materials for his plays, and correspondence. The collection also includes theater materials such as play scripts, programs, and reviews.
  • OriginationErvin, Mike

Gift, Mike Ervin, 2010.

The Mike Ervin Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Mike Ervin Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Mike Ervin Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Lenore Glanz, 2010.

Chicago disability activist, freelance journalist, and playwright.

Mike Ervin was born on an army base in West Germany in 1956. He was raised on the southwest side of the city and, because of his muscular dystrophy, was educated at the Illinois Children’s Hospital-School. He then went on to the University of Southern Illinois from which he graduated with a journalism degree in 1978.

Ervin’s first job was writing obituaries for the Daily Southtown newspaper. From that position he continued writing, mostly freelance, articles in newspapers, magazines, and newsletters - reaching a grand total of more than 1,000 articles in over 30 publications by the early 2000s. He also led or participated in numerous activities designed to call attention to the public problems, such as access to buildings and public transportation, of the disabled. Among the many persons he met in his crusades and activities was an artist, Anna Stonum, who had a degenerative nerve disorder and used a wheelchair. They were married in 1978. She died in 1999.

Ervin’s writing career encompasses not only newspaper and magazine articles, but also some poetry and a number of published and performed plays. These include “The Plucky and Spunky Show” and “The History of Bowling.” Ervin’s plays have been described as darkly humorous, centering as they do on the exasperations, misunderstandings, humiliations, foibles, and funny incidents in the lives of disabled (or wheelchair - Mike’s preferred term) persons.

Mainly writings of Mike Ervin, consisting of magazine and newspaper articles, plays, short stories, and some poems.

Scripts of all Ervin’s plays are included, with multiple versions for “The Plucky and Spunky Show” which was performed at the Remains Theater in Chicago and also traveled to Alaska. There is also some correspondence, plus publicity materials, programs, and reviews of his plays, as well as miscellaneous papers and handouts from Ervin’s disability activities. A small amount of biographical information and photographs are also included.

Papers are organized in the following series:

Title Box Series 1: Writings by Michael Ervin, 1977-2009 Boxes 1-3 Series 2: Publicity, 1990-2008 Box 4 Series 3: Writings about Michael Ervin, 1992-2001 Box 4 Series 4: Correspondence, 1985-2005 Box 4 Series 5: Miscellaneous, 1970-2007 Box 5

  • NamesErvin, Mike
  • Subject
    • Chicago
    • Disability awareness
    • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
    • People with disabilities -- Civil rights -- United States
    • Social Action
    • Theater