This series consists of manuscripts and related material for Van Dusen's published and unpublished writings. It includes many drafts of his published works: 1) "The Chief" (1968), a biography of the Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker; 2) a novel, "The Power Brokers" (1976), which bore an earlier title of "God of the Christian Brothers"; and 3) "Inside the tent: Forty-five years on Parliament Hill" (1998), personal reminiscences of his lengthy career in politics, from 1957 to the 1980s. In addition, there are drafts of a biography co-authored by Van Dusen entitled "Some Battles Lost - The Grattan O'Leary Story" and the first volume of John Diefenbaker's Memoirs. Research notes from Diefenbaker's archival papers, interview materials, and Diefenbaker's personally written notes for his "Memoirs" (ca.1974-1975) round out the material for this project.
Among the unpublished manuscripts is Who's Afraid of the Loup Garou? about an English boy growing up in a small Québec village. There are also a large number of unorganized or incomplete drafts and research materials focusing on such historical events as the raid on St. Albans (1864) and the War of 1812. Draft manuscripts for the St. Albans raid include titles such as the St. Albans Raiders; Never on Horseback; Devil on Horseback; Ride to Canada; The Border Raiders: A Romance of the Confederation Period; and The Great Confederate Raid. Draft manuscripts for the War of 1812 include titles such as Blood and War: 1812 - Year of Decision; The Purple Rain of Summer and The War Hatchet. Also included are draft manuscripts titled The Grenadine Papers and The Terror Syndrome, which may be the same novel, and writings set on the Island of Barbardos, a recurring geographical location in Van Dusen's autobiographical writings. Thomas and Shirley Van Dusen, a well known Ottawa artist, were first introduced to Barbados on a trip with the Diefenbakers ca.1974. The series also holds scripts for TV programs, short stories, notebooks, and poetry, including his published work of poetry titled "Whither the Wind" (1992).
