Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1926-1989 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 A box
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Gwen Lees ([1900-1988]) was born into a poor family somewhere at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Her mother was a servant who found herself unable to take her children with her when she was offered a position as a cook. Because of this, Lees and her brother David were placed in a workhouse. In Apr 1982, when Lees was recovering from a stroke, she sent three chapters of an autobiography provisionally entitled 'Jenny', to an agent Rebecca O'Rourke. The autobiography detailed her experiences as a child, feeling that her experiences of the harsh regime might be of some sociological interest. In 1983, the manuscript was rejected by The Women's Press but the first chapter was later accepted by Sheba Feminist Publishers for inclusion in a new anthology entitled 'Everyday Matters II' published Jul 1983.
Repository
Archival history
GB 106 7GWL 1926-1989 fonds 1 A box Lees , Gwen , [1900-1988] , writer
Gwen Lees ([1900-1988]) was born into a poor family somewhere at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Her mother was a servant who found herself unable to take her children with her when she was offered a position as a cook. Because of this, Lees and her brother David were placed in a workhouse. In Apr 1982, when Lees was recovering from a stroke, she sent three chapters of an autobiography provisionally entitled 'Jenny', to an agent Rebecca O'Rourke. The autobiography detailed her experiences as a child, feeling that her experiences of the harsh regime might be of some sociological interest. In 1983, the manuscript was rejected by The Women's Press but the first chapter was later accepted by Sheba Feminist Publishers for inclusion in a new anthology entitled 'Everyday Matters II' published Jul 1983.
Donated by Lees' agent Rebecca O'Rourke in Oct 1988.
The archive consists of letters from Lees to agent (1982-4); letters from agent to Sheba Publishers and The Women's Press (1984); typed draft of chapter one of autobiography with annotations by Sheba (1984).
This collection is available for research. Readers are advised to contact The Women's Library in advance of their first visit.
English
Collection level description available on-line on the Women's Library website
Finding aid created by export from CALM v7.2.14 Archives Hub EAD2002. Edited for AIM25 by Sarah Drewery.
In compliance with ISAD (G): General International Standard Archival Description - 2nd Edition (1999); UNESCO Thesaurus, December 2001; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
26/02/2008 Lees , Gwen , fl 1984 , writer Social services Literature Literary forms and genres Prose Autobiographies Social welfare Residential child care Child welfare West , Dame , Rebecca , 1892-1983 , critic and novelist x Fairfield , Cicily Isabel x Andrews , Cicily Isabel Sheba Feminist Publishers
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by Lees' agent Rebecca O'Rourke in Oct 1988.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The archive consists of letters from Lees to agent (1982-4); letters from agent to Sheba Publishers and The Women's Press (1984); typed draft of chapter one of autobiography with annotations by Sheba (1984).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
This collection is available for research. Readers are advised to contact The Women's Library in advance of their first visit.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Collection level description available on-line on the Women's Library website
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
In compliance with ISAD (G): General International Standard Archival Description - 2nd Edition (1999); UNESCO Thesaurus, December 2001; 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