Follett Collection

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Welcome

The Ken Follett Papers arrived at Saginaw Valley State University in spring 2000.  During the expansion and renovation of the Melvin J. Zahnow Library, the Papers were entrusted to the care of Dr. Carlos Ramet, former Chair of the English Department at Saginaw Valley State University and now Executive Assistant to the President of SVSU.  In 2003, the Ken Follett Papers were moved into the Library’s Archives for processing and an initial inventory.  Mr. Follett visited Zahnow Library on the occasion of the dedication of his Papers in December 2004.  The donation of the Ken Follett Papers was the result of Dr. Ramet’s contact with Follett. Dr. Ramet studied Follett’s writing extensively and developed a series of scholarly articles that culminated in his book, “Ken Follett: The Transformation of a Writer,” published in 1999.


The unpublished Ken Follett Papers are housed within 32 boxes and detail the author’s creative process, such as his handwritten notes and early manuscripts.  Personal correspondence is part of the collection, along with photographs, drafts of outlines and screenplays for selected works (Ups and Downs of a Soccer Star, Target: Fringe Banking and Numbers Man).  Other sections of the Ken Follett Papers demonstrate the in-depth research Follett required of his researchers and himself in order to create the accuracy and excitement of historical or contemporary settings. 

The Ken Follett Papers total over 44,000 documents.  The material is the largest collection of Follett’s work in the world, and the collection is primarily related to his works published between 1978 and 1998.

Catalog Of Follett Collection

A detailed catalog of materials related to Ken Follett in the SVSU Melvin J. Zahnow Library Archives. To search by book title and name use the Follett Collection Index (note: the index is a large file and may take a few seconds to load)

Research Guide

A guide for doing research on Ken Follett with a focus on resources in our Archives

Research Process Exhibit

Representational pdf documents related to research for books, including 

  • Triple 
  • On Wings of Eagles 
  • Lie Down with Lions 
  • Dangerous Fortune / All the Proud and Mighty 
  • The Third Twin

Creative Process Exhibit

Representative pdf documents related to outlines and critical feedback during the creation of Pillars of the Earth

Virtual Exhibit

Descriptive commentary by Carlos Ramet. This PastPerfect Virtual Exhibit was created by Tom Latuszek, Scott Mellendorf, and Jack G. Wood. Exhibit was created on December 2, 2004; updated on April 8, 2005.