At a reception and program held at Watson Library on the campus of the University of Kansas, it was announced that the definitive collection of late author Theodore Sturgeon's books, papers, manuscripts and correspondence will be established at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library at KU, which also is home to the Center for the Study of Science Fiction. The Sturgeon Award for the best short science fiction is given annually at the center's Campbell Conference.

The collection includes:

• Original manuscript and multiple film script treatments of "More Than Human," Sturgeon's best known novel
• Sturgeon's notes and outline for "Amok Time," one of two "Star Trek" episodes he wrote. In 'Amok Time," Spock returns to Vulcan to meet his intended future wife
• Correspondence, story ideas and drafts shared with noted science fiction editors and authors, including John W. Campbell, Robert Heinlein, Edgar Pangborn, Harlan Ellison, Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, Gene Roddenberry and T.H. White
• Sturgeon's rewrite of a L. Ron Hubbard article submitted to Amazing Stories magazine titled "Dianetics: Supermen in 1950 AD"
• His adoption papers, in which his name was changed

In making the donation, Noël Sturgeon credits the work of James Gunn, professor emeritus of English at KU and a noted science fiction author who created KU's Intensive English Institute on the Teaching of Science Fiction in 1975 and the Center for the Study of Science Fiction in 1982.

"Jim's long dedication to the teaching and scholarship of science fiction, and his particular interest in and support of my father's work, was the main impetus behind our choice of the Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas as the home for Sturgeon's collection of papers," she said.

Beth Whittaker, head of Spencer Research Library, said, "This extraordinary gift ensures that Sturgeon's profound literary and cultural legacy will be available to new generations of scholars, writers and readers."