Vera Kelsey was born around 1891 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the daughter of William H. and Isabel Oliver (Woods) Kelsey. The family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota where Miss Kelsey grew up and graduated in 1914 from the University of North Dakota. She also attended the University of Washington, and Brown University where she received her Masters Degree in Sociology. Miss Kelsey was a prolific writer beginning in high school. She wrote fiction, non-fiction and mysteries. Among her works are Modern Industry Comes to China, Brazilian Frontier, Four Keyes to Guatamala with L. DeJ. Osborne, (1939), Seven Keyes to Brazil (1940), Brazil in Capitals (1942), Six Great Men of Brazil (2942), Maria Rosa (1942),The Bride Dined Alone (1943), Satan Has Six Fingers (1943), Fear Came First (1945), Whisper Murder (1946), Red River Runs North! (1951), Tomorrow For You (1953), Young Men So Daring (1956), and British Columbia Rides A Star (1958).

The Kelsey collection consists almost entirely of the manuscripts and research notes for her last four books. For British Columbia Rides a Star it includes her travel notes from four trips around British Columbia, research notes of which some are paginated, and her manuscripts as well as the photograph proof sheets. The next section is Miss Kelsey's research notes on the Red River Valley which are paginated and quite extensive. For Red River Runs North! is included a near final manuscript, reader's proof sheets and galley proofs as well as promotional material and the original maps used in the book. For Tomorrow is For You is included Miss Kelsey's research notes with many of the reverse sheets containing typed drafts of her manuscript for Young Men So Daring. 
 

Literary, Music and Theater Women