Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1994 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 box
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.
,br/> 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.
Repository
Archival history
GB 2108 KUAS228 1994 Fonds 1 box Murdoch , Dame , Jean Iris , 1919-1999 , 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.
,br/> 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.
Kindly presented by the Iris Murdoch Society.
Archival material relating to Iris Murdoch's play 'Joanna, Joanna'. Includes:
1) Typed script for the play by Fraser and Dunlop [script at this time entitled 'Joanna, Joanna, Joanna']
2) Advanced reading copy of the published version on the play dated 30 Aug 1994, produced by Colophon Press.
3) Proof of published version of the play dated 24 Jul 1994, with handwritten note on the front by unknown individual. NB the play at this point was called 'Joanna'.
4) Folder containing:
- Handwritten note of contact details and sums by unknown individual- Covering note from Gordon Dickenson at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop to David [full name unknown] dated 08 Jun 1994 forwarding on copy of the play
- Draft of published version of the play grouped into 7 small booklets
- 3 copies of leaflet for the published version of the play
- 5 copies of draft headers for the play
- Draft of invitation to the launch of the play
- 7 letters between Gordon Dickenson at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop and David Rees dated Jun Aug 1994 regarding publication play, including a letter regarding Iris Murdoch mislaying the proofs for the text but being pleased with proofs sent and approving publication
- 2 drafts of play title page
- 7 drafts of title label for the book
- 3 drafts of inside title page and draft of characters list
- Copy of a letter from Iris Murdoch regarding changing title of the play to 'Joanna' c. Jul 1994
- Proof of first page from the play dated Aug 1994
- 2 Loose-leaf Proofs of play dated 24 Jul 1994
- Handwritten notes on edits to be made to the play by unknown individual
- Loose-leaf proof of the play dated 27 Aug 1994
Original order.
Available to view by appointment in the Kingston University Archives and Special Collections search room.
Limited copying may be possible. Please contact Kingston University Archives and Special Collections for more information.
English
Please see Kingston University Archives and Special Collections catalogue.
December 2017 Literary forms and genres Drama Information sources Records and correspondence Letters (documents) Theatre management Theatrical production Communication process Communication skills Writing Writing (composition) Creative writing Playwriting Publishing industry Publishing Performing arts Theatre Literature Publishers Communication personnel Personnel People by occupation People Playwrights Writers Authors Advertising Play scripts Scripts (drama) Murdoch , Dame , Jean Iris , 1919-1999 , author x Murdoch , Iris Language instruction
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Kindly presented by the Iris Murdoch Society.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Archival material relating to Iris Murdoch's play 'Joanna, Joanna'. Includes:
1) Typed script for the play by Fraser and Dunlop [script at this time entitled 'Joanna, Joanna, Joanna']
2) Advanced reading copy of the published version on the play dated 30 Aug 1994, produced by Colophon Press.
3) Proof of published version of the play dated 24 Jul 1994, with handwritten note on the front by unknown individual. NB the play at this point was called 'Joanna'.
4) Folder containing:
- Handwritten note of contact details and sums by unknown individual- Covering note from Gordon Dickenson at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop to David [full name unknown] dated 08 Jun 1994 forwarding on copy of the play
- Draft of published version of the play grouped into 7 small booklets
- 3 copies of leaflet for the published version of the play
- 5 copies of draft headers for the play
- Draft of invitation to the launch of the play
- 7 letters between Gordon Dickenson at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop and David Rees dated Jun Aug 1994 regarding publication play, including a letter regarding Iris Murdoch mislaying the proofs for the text but being pleased with proofs sent and approving publication
- 2 drafts of play title page
- 7 drafts of title label for the book
- 3 drafts of inside title page and draft of characters list
- Copy of a letter from Iris Murdoch regarding changing title of the play to 'Joanna' c. Jul 1994
- Proof of first page from the play dated Aug 1994
- 2 Loose-leaf Proofs of play dated 24 Jul 1994
- Handwritten notes on edits to be made to the play by unknown individual
- Loose-leaf proof of the play dated 27 Aug 1994
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Original order.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Available to view by appointment in the Kingston University Archives and Special Collections search room.
Conditions governing reproduction
Limited copying may be possible. Please contact Kingston University Archives and Special Collections for more information.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Please see Kingston University Archives and Special Collections catalogue.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
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Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English