Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1897-1917 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
477 letters, two files and one book
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Edward Thomas was born on 3 March 1878 in Lambeth, and was educated at Battersea Grammar School, St Paul's School and Lincoln College, Oxford. He married in 1899, and began writing reviews for newspapers and magazines, particularly the Daily Chronicle. Despite regular reviewing work he had consistent financial worries, and made several attempts to find alternative work, few of which were successful. He suffered from depression for several years, including considering suicide, and spent time away from his family in the care of doctors in attempts to recover. In 1915 he decided to enlist in the Army, and was killed in action during the Battle of Arras on 9 April 1917.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0347 D112 1897-1917 Collection 477 letters, two files and one book Please contact the Archive for further information
Edward Thomas was born on 3 March 1878 in Lambeth, and was educated at Battersea Grammar School, St Paul's School and Lincoln College, Oxford. He married in 1899, and began writing reviews for newspapers and magazines, particularly the Daily Chronicle. Despite regular reviewing work he had consistent financial worries, and made several attempts to find alternative work, few of which were successful. He suffered from depression for several years, including considering suicide, and spent time away from his family in the care of doctors in attempts to recover. In 1915 he decided to enlist in the Army, and was killed in action during the Battle of Arras on 9 April 1917.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Letters from the poet, Edward Thomas, to Eleanor Farjeon, Ian McAlister, Irene and Hugh MacArthur and John Freeman. There is also a draft copy of Rowland Watson's book "Memories of Edward Thomas" and a copy of "Table Talk: being the discourses of John Selden". The correspondence to Eleanor Farjeon mainly discusses his work, both poetry and criticism, and he also comments on work she has sent him, as well as talking about his decision to join the Army and his worries over money. The letters to Irene and Hugh MacArthur are family letters, which give news of his own family and talk about their difficult financial situation. Thomas's letters to Ian McAlister cover his work, his family and his worries over his finances, but also discuss in detail his mental health, and refer to his struggles with depression and "nerves" in a very honest manner. The correspondence to John Freeman primarily relates to his work, and to Freeman's work, as well as to mutual friends.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
This collection is available on microfilm and all access to the collection will be via microfilm in the first instance. This material is only available in the Wandsworth Heritage Service search room at Battersea Library. Please contact Heritage Service staff for more information.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
English
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Finding aid created by export from CALM v8.0.2.40 Archives Hub EAD2002. Entry amended by Barbara Ball
General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
April 2011 Poetry English literature European literature Literary forms and genres Literature National literatures
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Letters from the poet, Edward Thomas, to Eleanor Farjeon, Ian McAlister, Irene and Hugh MacArthur and John Freeman. There is also a draft copy of Rowland Watson's book "Memories of Edward Thomas" and a copy of "Table Talk: being the discourses of John Selden". The correspondence to Eleanor Farjeon mainly discusses his work, both poetry and criticism, and he also comments on work she has sent him, as well as talking about his decision to join the Army and his worries over money. The letters to Irene and Hugh MacArthur are family letters, which give news of his own family and talk about their difficult financial situation. Thomas's letters to Ian McAlister cover his work, his family and his worries over his finances, but also discuss in detail his mental health, and refer to his struggles with depression and "nerves" in a very honest manner. The correspondence to John Freeman primarily relates to his work, and to Freeman's work, as well as to mutual friends.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
This collection is available on microfilm and all access to the collection will be via microfilm in the first instance. This material is only available in the Wandsworth Heritage Service search room at Battersea Library. Please contact Heritage Service staff for more information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English