Contains typescripts, correspondence, research files, publications, and ephemera related to George E. Ryan's historical research and writing. The bulk of the collection pertains to two of Ryan's completed works: Botolph of Boston, on the history of Saint Botolph and his cult; and Fair Ellen's World, an unpublished biography of Ellen Sewall Osgood. Other writings projects represented include Ryan's Master's degree work on poet and playwright Christopher Fry, a biography of bugler and band leader Richard Willis, a series of short features entitled "Saints of Boston", and other work for The Pilot.