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Correspondence: individuals

Archive Series: BC MS 20c Herbert Read/12 Contains records with digital media

Details

Type of record: Archive

Title: Correspondence: individuals

Level: Series

Classmark: BC MS 20c Herbert Read/12

Original reference: BC MS 20c Herbert Read/6B

Date(s): 1922-c.1970

Size and medium: 13 boxes

Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/692512

Collection group(s): English Literature | Special Collections Art | Herbert Read Collection

Description

This series contains letters chiefly addressed to Herbert Read, with some letters, carbon copies, and manuscript drafts by Read. Carbon copies of Read's letters were often typed onto the verso of correspondence received.


Read was a prolific correspondent, and the letters in this series convey the diversity of his interests and contacts, and also his international reach. Letters from over 600 correspondents are contained within the series, including Barbara Hepworth, Naum Gabo, Ben Nicholson, Bonamy Dobree, Peggy Guggenheim, Ruth Francken, and Marcus Brumwell.


Much of the correspondence in this series is from the 1950s and the 1960s, but some has a longer span. One tranche of letters from Read himself that is included in the series are his letters to Bonamy Dobree, from 1925 to 1968. Dobree was Professor of English Literature in the School of English at the University of Leeds (1936-1955). He and Read collaborated on several ventures including the London Book of English Verse and the London Book of English Prose. Both also sat on the influential Gregory Fellowships Advisory Committee alongisde Henry Moore and T.S. Eliot. Read's letters to Dobree offer an insight into both his professional and private life, offering family news alongside critiques of contemporary art and literature, and details about current projects.


In addition to letters from professional contacts the series also includes letters from the public: individuals who ask advice from Read on their own poetry or who offer their own critiques of Read's work. The carbon copy responses of Read give an insight into his work rate - (most letters are answered within several days) and also his generosity: replies to unsolicited letters often include detailed responses to questions.

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