Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1956-1980 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
10 volumes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin, Ireland on 15 Jul 1919. When she was very young Iris and her parents moved to London, England, and Iris studied at Frobel and Badminton Schools. She followed this with studies in classics, ancient history and philosophy at Oxford, and further study at Cambridge. During the war years Iris worked for the Treasury in London, and then joined the UNRRA providing relief in formerly occupied countries in Europe. In 1948 she became a fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford, where she taught and researched philosophy.
Iris Murdoch wrote a number of tracts on philosophy, however it is for her novels that she is best known. She wrote 26 novels in total, her first being 'Under the Net' published in 1954. Other notable works include 'The Bell' and 'The Sea, the Sea', for which she won the Booker Prize. Her last novel, 'Jackson's Dilemma', was published in 1995.
In her youth Iris Murdoch had relationships with a number of individuals, including Elias Canetti. She met author and scholar John Bayley while at Oxford, and they married in 1956. She wrote to a great number of people and maintained friendships in this way.
Later in life Iris Murdoch was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, the first effects of which she had attributed to writer's block. She died in 1999.
Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, better known as AS Byatt, is an author and poet, who has won the Booker Prize for her novel 'Possession'.
Repository
Archival history
GB 2108 KUAS156 1956-1980 Collection (fonds) 10 volumes Murdoch , Dame , Jean Iris , 1919-1999 , author
Byatt , Dame , Antonia Susan , b. 1936 , author
Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin, Ireland on 15 Jul 1919. When she was very young Iris and her parents moved to London, England, and Iris studied at Frobel and Badminton Schools. She followed this with studies in classics, ancient history and philosophy at Oxford, and further study at Cambridge. During the war years Iris worked for the Treasury in London, and then joined the UNRRA providing relief in formerly occupied countries in Europe. In 1948 she became a fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford, where she taught and researched philosophy.
Iris Murdoch wrote a number of tracts on philosophy, however it is for her novels that she is best known. She wrote 26 novels in total, her first being 'Under the Net' published in 1954. Other notable works include 'The Bell' and 'The Sea, the Sea', for which she won the Booker Prize. Her last novel, 'Jackson's Dilemma', was published in 1995.
In her youth Iris Murdoch had relationships with a number of individuals, including Elias Canetti. She met author and scholar John Bayley while at Oxford, and they married in 1956. She wrote to a great number of people and maintained friendships in this way.
Later in life Iris Murdoch was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, the first effects of which she had attributed to writer's block. She died in 1999.
Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, better known as AS Byatt, is an author and poet, who has won the Booker Prize for her novel 'Possession'.
Items were purchased for the collection at Kingston University Archives and Special Collections
Ten of Iris Murdoch's books, previously owned by AS Byatt and with some annotations by Byatt inside. Includes:
1) The Unicorn (1961) uncorrected proof
2) Nuns and Soldiers (1980)
3) The Time of the Angels (1966) first edition
4) A Fairly Honourable Defeat (1970)
5) The Nice and the Good (1968)
6) The Black Prince (1973)
7) The Unofficial Rose (1962)
8) The Italian Girl (1964) Proof Copy
9) A Severed Head (1961)
10) The Sandcastle (1956)
Original order
Available to view by appointment. Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance of when you would like to visit by emailing archives@kingston.ac.uk
Annotations are unable to be copied at this. Limited photocopying possible on rest of texts depending on physical condition and as allowed by copyright law.
English
Please see our Kingston University's Library catalogue for full details at http://icat.kingston.ac.uk
29 Jun 2015 Prose Novelists Novels Information sciences Communications media Publications Books Literature Literary forms and genres Fiction Authors Murdoch , Dame , Jean Iris , 1919-1999 , author x Murdoch , Iris
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Items were purchased for the collection at Kingston University Archives and Special Collections
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Ten of Iris Murdoch's books, previously owned by AS Byatt and with some annotations by Byatt inside. Includes:
1) The Unicorn (1961) uncorrected proof
2) Nuns and Soldiers (1980)
3) The Time of the Angels (1966) first edition
4) A Fairly Honourable Defeat (1970)
5) The Nice and the Good (1968)
6) The Black Prince (1973)
7) The Unofficial Rose (1962)
8) The Italian Girl (1964) Proof Copy
9) A Severed Head (1961)
10) The Sandcastle (1956)
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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Original order
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Available to view by appointment. Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance of when you would like to visit by emailing archives@kingston.ac.uk
Conditions governing reproduction
Annotations are unable to be copied at this. Limited photocopying possible on rest of texts depending on physical condition and as allowed by copyright law.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Please see our Kingston University's Library catalogue for full details at http://icat.kingston.ac.uk
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Language(s)
- English