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The papers of author Wendy Perriam. This includes the working papers for all of her novels including idea notebooks, research, drafts, correspondence and notes on publicity. The collection also contains materials relating to her poetry and short story collections, plus her teaching, public speaking and other work. In addition there is material relating to her personal life.

Correspondence and documents created by Denis Paul. Denis Paul was an author and philosopher with a strong interest in Wittgenstein. He corresponded with many individuals regarding this interest, notably with author Iris Murdoch amongst others. The collection contains many letters written to Denis Paul by Murdoch, Isiah Berlin and others, and some documents written by Denis Paul in the course of his life time- this includes drafts of books and screenplays on which he worked.

Letters sent from Iris Murdoch to French author and poet Raymond Queneau, dating from 1946 to 1975. Iris met Queneau while doing war work with the UNRRA, and enjoyed a regular correspondence with him. She claimed that she owed much of her writing to her friendship with Queneau, and dedicated her first novel 'Under the Net' to him. The letters cover a number of topics including the early days of Murdoch's writing and philosophical views, her work with the UNRRA, and early relationships.

With some articles collected by Queneau on the work of Iris Murdoch

Letters and cards written by Iris Murdoch to artist Rachel Fenner from 1964 onwards. Murdoch taught Fenner at the Royal College of Art and they remained friends afterwards. Topics covered in their correspondence includes Fenner's studies and later work, Murdoch's work, their travels, arranging meetings, and general family news. There are over 300 letters in total.

Letters sent from Iris Murdoch to her friend and fellow philosopher Philippa Foot from 1942 to the 1990s. Iris Murdoch and Philippa Foot met at the University of Oxford and went on to share a flat together in London from 1943 to 1945. There followed a period of some estrangement as Philippa Foot married historian Michael (MRD) Foot, following his previous relationship with and subsequent rejection by Iris Murdoch. Their friendship was rekindled in 1959 following Philippa Foot’s divorce, and they remained friends and corresponded regularly while the latter was based in the USA. In the letters their friendship is discussed, as well as their work in philosophy and literature, and events taking place in the wider world at large.

Letters written from Iris Murdoch to Harry Weinberger from 1977 to 1996. The letters are in files grouped by the drawer in which Harry Weinberger kept them in his desk. The letters discuss subjects such as their shared interest in the arts and religious iconography, and both of their work. Their are over 300 letters in total.

The collection also contains a number of additional items relating to Iris Murdoch's friendship with Harry Weinberger, collected by Weinberger. This includes exhibition catalogues for Weinbergers work, and copies of drawings of Murdoch by Weinberger.

Letters from Iris Murdoch to Hal Lidderdale dating from 1945 to 1990s. Lidderdale was a friend of Murdoch's from Oxford where they were students together, and they remained in touch until Lidderdale's death. Topics covered in the letters include Murdoch's work following the Second World War with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), meeting with Jean Paul Sartre, her brief engagement to David Hicks, and her later work and travels.

Notebooks and other items belonging to Iris Murdoch from her home at Charlbury Road, Oxford. Includes:

1) File containing typed draft of paper 'Evil is to Love, what Mystery is to Intelligence' by Martin Andic dated 26 Feb 1995, plus typed text draft of the opening pages of John Bayley's 'Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch'

2) Bundle containing handwritten notes by Iris Murdoch on Martin Heidegger, plus typed notes on philosophy with handwritten annotations by Murdoch c. early 1990s

3) 16 notebooks containing notes on the Greek language 1960s- 1980s

4) 4 notebooks with planning notes for the novel 'The Good Apprentice'

5) Notebook with notes on 'The Message to the Planet'

6) Notebook with notes on 'The Book and the Brotherhood'

7) 8 notebooks with notes on philosophy, including notes on the Gifford Lectures and 'Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals'

8) 2 notebooks from Iris Murdoch's trip to China 1979

9) Notebook from trip to India/ Australia 1967

10) Appointment diaries 1978 and 1980

11) 2 notebooks on unknown subjects (possibly philosophy)

12) Notebook on Hebrew 1979

13) Indexed notebook with topics noted in top right hand corner, possibly for Greek words. However pages are empty.

14) Notebook dated 26 Jan 1954- first few pages have been removed, otherwise the notebook is empty

15) Notebook dated 1955- 1958. One page of notes on ethics in the back, and several pages have been ripped out from the front. Otherwise empty. Possibly originally used as a journal?

16) Notebook noted as belonging to Iris Murdoch at HM Treasury dated 12 Mar 1944. Several pages have been ripped out from the front. Otherwise empty. Possibly originally used as a journal?

17) Blank nature notebook

18) 2 photographs of Iris Murdoch's desk, labelled on reverse by John Bayley 'Iris Murdoch's table'

19) Piece of blotting paper used by Iris Murdoch when writing letters

20) 23 empty envelopes either addressed to Iris Murdoch and / or John Bayley, or addressed by Iris Murdoch to other people

21) 3 pieces of Berkeley Department of English Headed Paper, one with beginnings of a letter written by Iris Murdoch to unknown recipient

22) 5 blank postcards from St Catherine's College, and 3 blank pieces of notepaper. Murdoch has written the Cedar Lodge address on the back of one of the postcards.

23) 2 blank postcards

24) Blank postcards with Reynold Stone's name and address at the top

24) Blank notepaper with La Valencia Hotel printed at the top

25) Two blank pre-printed invitation cards

26) 5 blank pieces of notepaper printed with the Conservation Society logo

27) Blank postcard from New College Oxford

28) Postcard advertising opening of an exhibition by Lesley Foxcroft at the Riverside Studios

29) Invitation to Iris Murdoch and John Bayley to attend an event at Parker and Son Ltd 14 Nov 1984

30) Invitation to cocktails at Timothy Dwight College 28 Feb 1983

31) Blank black notebook

32) Blank Basildon Bond notepad

33) 3 blank WH Smith notebooks

Two folders of letters from Iris Murdoch to her friend Stephen Gardiner dating from [1973-1990]. Gardiner was an architect known for his work on public buildings, and some of the letters from Murdoch discuss their shared love for art and architecture.

Letters from Iris Murdoch to Mary McIntosh, who was a student of Murdoch's at St Anne's College, Oxford. McIntosh went on to be a renowned sociologist. These letters are from the period 1955-1958, when McIntosh was a student and represent her student/ teacher relationship with Iris Murdoch.

Letters from Iris Murdoch to her friend, civil servant Leo Pliatzky dating from 1943 to 1978. Some of the letters are from the Second World War when Pliatzky was serving in the army and Murdoch was based at the Treasury, and then later at the UNRRA. Many of the later letters are confirming arrangements to meet up. With some accompanying documents including a photograph and press cuttings.

Letters sent from Iris Murdoch to her friend and fellow author Brigid Brophy. Murdoch and Brophy met in 1954 and maintained a friendship from then until Brophy's death in 1995. The period of the mid-1950s to the end of the 1960s was a time when the two were particularly close, although the letters do show the passionate nature of the relationship as Brophy sometimes sent accusing or angry letters to Murdoch, and these letters show Murdoch responding in kind. The letters also cover Murdoch's work and travels, plus views on current events, music, literature and art.

The letters are split into 7 files- the first three are letters from Murdoch which Brophy had separated out into a filing cabinet, and the fourth are letters from Murdoch to Michael Levey with a selection of other items such as photographs. File 5 contains dated letters arranged in chronological order, File 6 previously undated letters, and File 7 postcards and lettercards.

Approximately 30 cards and letters from Iris Murdoch to her publisher Carmen Callil, with some additional invitations to events celebrating the life and work of Iris Murdoch.

Nine letters and eleven poems from Iris Murdoch to William Wallace Robson, to whom she was briefly engaged in the 1940s. Many of the letters and poems are on their relationship.

Items relating to Iris Murdoch from 1939 to 1995. Includes:

1) Uncorrected Proof Copy of Iris Murdoch's 'The Book and the Brotherhood'

2) Booklet: Theology in Scotland Occasional Paper No 1 Apr 1995- 'Iris Murdoch's Giffords' A Study of the 1982 Gifford Lectures Edited by RA Gillies

3) Original copy of 'The Cherwell' magazine Vol LVI No 6 dated Week Ending 03 Jun 1939, including Iris Murdoch's piece 'The Irish- Are they Human?'

4) 6 original letters from Iris Murdoch to a bookseller regarding seeing first editions from the 1980s, with a letter from The Paris Review to Iris Murdoch regarding an interview dated 14 Mar 1977 and a photograph of a book shop.

Items belonging to Iris Murdoch presented by Audi Bayley. These items were from Iris Murdoch's former home in Charlbury Road and include letters written by Iris Murdoch to Borys and Audi Villers [later Audi Bayley], a planning notebook for Jackson's Dilemma, and a range of objects. Includes:

1) Large bust of Iris Murdoch mounted on marble

2) Iris Murdoch's teddy bear 'Jimbo'

3) Painting by Iris Murdoch 1941

4) Tapestry by Iris Murdoch of fish with the initials IM and JB

5) Gold edged bowl

6) 5 stones and 9 Asian religious figurines / icons from Murdoch's writing desk

7) Letters from Iris Murdoch to Audi Bayley and her first husband Boris Villiers

8) Green box containing brooch- appears to be enamelled George IV shilling from 1820s

9) 4 replica medieval icons mounted on wood

10) Framed photographs from Iris Murdoch's study of Murdoch as a child and Murdoch's parents

11) 3 Canadian stone figurines depicting an owl, a penguin and a seal

12) 2 stone figurines of a cow and a lion, with painted and gilded details

13) 11 dress necklaces worn by Murdoch and kept in her study

14) A notebook with planning notes by Murdoch for the novel 'Jackson's Dilemma'

Items relating to Iris Murdoch presented to the archives by Anne Rowe. Includes:

1) Papers on a proposed Festschrift on Iris Murdoch collated by Peter Conradi

2) Copies of the newsletter for the Iris Murdoch Society of Japan

3) Press articles on Iris Murdoch

4) Letters written to Anne Rowe and Peter Conradi regarding Iris Murdoch

5) Original text copies of the Iris Murdoch Society Newsletters Nos 1-19

6) Unpublished essay by Rachel Cusk on Iris Murdoch

Handwritten document by Iris Murdoch giving her thoughts on the definition of Love, written on request for artist George Pappas. With an accompanying letter written by Iris Murdoch dated 15 Jul 1969 agreeing to write a piece for him, plus a postcard, brief biography of and review of an exhibition by George Pappas.

25 letters from John Bayley to Michael Howard, spanning from 1948 to 2008. With transcripts and accompanying documents, including letters sent by Michael Howard to John Bayley 1999-2008.