I googled for the reason why and found this: Although Leonard had no connection to Carolina, he told his son Peter Leonard he wanted his papers to go to the un

I googled for the reason why and found this: Although Leonard had no connection to Carolina, he told his son Peter Leonard he wanted his papers to go to the university following a visit shortly before his death. Leonard was awarded the university’s Thomas Cooper Medal in 2013. While he was in Columbia, McNally suggested a tour of the rare book department. Leonard was especially captivated by the library’s extensive collections of Ernest Hemingway and crime fiction writer George V. Higgins “He went to visit the library and he was blown away,” Peter Leonard said. “Elmore was a major Hemingway fan. He was the influence that got my dad to write.” Then Sudduth showed Leonard the university’s Higgins collection, including the manuscript for “The Friends of Eddie Coyle.” “That got dad’s attention. That book set my dad free. It really changed his outlook on writing. George Higgins was free with characters and dialogue. Hemingway and Higgins were the two influences in my father’s life,” Peter Leonard said. The next day on the plane back to Detroit, Elmore Leonard told his son: “That’s where I want my papers to go.” “I agreed. It’s an incredible place. What also helped was the hospitality, the friendliness of everyone,” Peter Leonard said. “That, and Hemingway and Higgins.” http://www.sc.edu/uofsc/newsreleases/2014/10_elmore_leonard_collection.php http://www.sc.edu/uofsc/newsreleases/2014/10_elmore_leonard_...