ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The personal and professional archive of Dr. Jack Kevorkian has been made public just as legislation supporting physician-assisted deaths makes gains in the U.S.

The digitized archive comprises nine boxes at the University of Michigan. The manuscripts, medical histories, photos, video and audio offer a varied glimpse into the life of a man who helped end about 130 ailing people's lives - and sparked a national right-to-die debate.

In October, California became the fifth state to legalize physician-assisted deaths. Proponents say they are optimistic about possible successes elsewhere.

Kevorkian's supporters say the outspoken and unapologetic Detroit-area doctor, who was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 and died at 83 in 2011, remains at the center of the movement. Others disagree, saying he was primarily interested in gaining attention.