When Linda Grace Hoyer wasn’t busy writing her short stories and other works of fiction, she was often busy writing letters to her family and friends. Much of this correspondence was between mother and son – writing which began in earnest when John Updike left the farm house in Plowville, Pennsylvania to study at Harvard in the fall of 1950. This collection will contain digitized letters and postcards spanning nearly forty years. Portions of the collection will be added to the repository as time and resources permit.
Permissions to use these images for anything other than educational use should be directed to the Special Collections Department of the Myrin Library at Ursinus College.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, November 14, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda congratulates John on his academic achievements. She provides John with an update on her work as a writer as well as her work on the family farm.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, November 10, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda updates John about life in Plowville and shares news from Shillington High School.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, November 8, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda asks John for advice about whether his grandmother should convert to the Lutheran church. Linda praises John for his academic achievements in literature and suggests he is on the right track to become a writer.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, November 7, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda inquires about John's health while at college, worrying that it may have a negative impact on his career ambitions. Linda tells John about former classmates who have inquired about him at home.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, November 5, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda inquires about John's health while he is away at college. Linda describes her worry about John and his sleeping schedule.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, November 2, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda mentions the death of George Bernard Shaw and describes the impact of hunting season in Plowville. Linda discusses politics and the financial situation of the household.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 31, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda reminisces about the anniversary of their move from Shillington to Plowville, and describes memories of John during the move. Linda also reports on attending a speech by R.G. Le Tourneau and comments about Christianity and money.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 30, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda urges John to acquire a warm coat for the winter while at Harvard. Linda updates John about life at home and compares their economic and social standing with other families they have met at church.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 27, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda asks John about his scholarship money and urges John to obtain some warmer clothing while at Harvard University. She assures John that they need not be overly worried about finances.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 25, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda tells John about a recent play she has seen and provides her critiques on the writing, acting, and directing. She also encourages John to obtain a copy of a poetry magazine, Different, edited by Lilith Lorraine.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 23, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda expresses concern about why John is so worried about his studies at Harvard University. Linda updates John about life at home, and once again describes how chores and the dogs are keeping her from working on her novel.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 22, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda tells John about their recent experiences at the Evangelical Lutheran church. Linda also speaks about problems that Wesley Updike has been facing at his teaching job.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 20, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda urges John to attend church while he is away at Harvard University. She also notes that church attendance and household chores have been preventing her from working on her novel.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 18, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda updates John about life at home, including the recent PTA meeting his father attended. She also describes a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Lichfield of Long Lane Farm.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 16, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda relates a story about attending church with the family. Linda confides in John about living with her parents and updates John about her novel, describing her writing experience.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 13, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda alludes to the reading she has been doing to prepare for her novel. Linda mentions a poetry magazine she sent to John, entitled Different, and describes a visit to the dentist in Shillington, Pennsylvania.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 12, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda addresses the family's holiday plans and informs John that his decision to return home or stay at Harvard is entirely up to him. Linda updates John about the family's finances and encourages him to go on outings at least once a week.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 11, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda addresses her own unrest since John has left for college. Linda speaks about working on her novel versus doing chores around the home and seems to resent her husband, Wesley, for taking on some of the household planning. Linda tells John that his leaving has given her time for contemplation about herself.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 10, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son, John Updike, Linda speaks about some unrest at home in Plowville. Linda and her father have come to a disagreement about the frequency of correspondence and advice John receives while at Harvard University.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 9, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son John Updike, Linda urges John to not feel discouraged while at Harvard University. She airs her views on the importance of having a college degree, while questioning the worth of college itself. She also expresses her frustration with her writing attempts, noting that she has begun to write in John's old room at home.
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Postcard from Wesley Russell Updike to John Updike, October 5, 1950
Wesley Russell Updike
In this postcard from Wesley Russell Updike to his son, John Updike, Wesley provides details about the suit he and Linda ordered for John.
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Letter from Wesley Russell Updike to John Updike, October 4, 1950
Wesley Russell Updike
In this handwritten letter from Wesley Russell Updike to his son, John Updike, Wesley informs John about life at home - including his teaching at Shillington High School and a trip to the Alleghenyville auction. Wesley urges John to stay focused at college, take care of his health, and pursue becoming a writer for the Harvard Lampoon.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 3, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter, Linda Grace Hoyer writes to her son John Updike about life at home and her interactions with her father John Franklin Hoyer. Linda urges John to write a letter to the Shillington Lions Club, thanking them for their check. Linda also provides encouragement to John about the Harvard Lampoon magazine.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 3, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to her son John Updike, Linda urges John to find comfort while experiencing being homesick at Harvard University. Linda gives John reassurance that his experience is normal, and provides support.
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Letter from Linda Grace Hoyer to John Updike, October 2, 1950
Linda Grace Hoyer
In this typed letter, Linda Grace Hoyer gives her son, John Updike, updates about life at home - including a trip to the movies and the harvesting of hay. She also notes a conversation that John's father had regarding scholarships.
