About the Collection
The Upton Sinclair Collection was the personal collection of Ben Olin (1886-1969) who was Sinclair's lifelong friend and private secretary for many years. It includes about 90 published items by and about Upton Sinclair, including many autographed presentation copies of first editions.
Special Collections is also in possession of a small collection of nine letters and postcards, mostly addressed to Ben and Martha Olin. Other contents are photos and ephemera related to Sinclair's bid for Governor, publicity and book reviews, and the program from a tribute banquet for Sinclair.
Ben Olin met Upton Sinclair in 1912 and became Sinclair's secretary in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1913. He later moved with Sinclair to Pasadena where he continued as Sinclair's secretary for several years. The two friends kept in contact until Sinclair's death.
This collection was a given to Oberlin College Library in 1991 by Janet Olin Gest (Ben Olin's daughter) and Howard Gest, the parents of Ted Gest OC '68 and Don Gest OC '74.
Upton Sinclair