Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [1973-1990] (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 files
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 Alzheimer's disease, the first effects of which she had attributed to writer's block. She died in 1999.
Stephen Gardiner was a British architect, much of whose work focused on schools and other public buildings. He also taught architecture.
Repository
Archival history
GB 2108 KUAS130 [1973-1990] Collection (fonds) 2 files Murdoch , Dame , Jean Iris , 1919-1999 , author
Gardiner , Stephen , 1924-2007 , architect
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 Alzheimer's disease, the first effects of which she had attributed to writer's block. She died in 1999.
Stephen Gardiner was a British architect, much of whose work focused on schools and other public buildings. He also taught architecture.
Letters were presented by Joan Scotson.
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.
Original order, the letters are split into two files.
Letters are available to view by appointment in the Archives and Special Collections. Appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance by emailing archives@kingston.ac.uk.
The letters can not be copied from at present.
English
Letters are not currently catalogued. Once they have been catalogued the listings on our online catalogue at http://adlib.kingston.ac.uk
30 Jun 2015 Artists Letter writing Architects Construction engineering Building design Vocational education Architecture education Information sources Records and correspondence Letters (documents) Writing Communication skills Communication process Architecture Art Murdoch , Dame , Jean Iris , 1919-1999 , author x Murdoch , Iris
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Letters were presented by Joan Scotson.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Original order, the letters are split into two files.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Letters are available to view by appointment in the Archives and Special Collections. Appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance by emailing archives@kingston.ac.uk.
Conditions governing reproduction
The letters can not be copied from at present.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Letters are not currently catalogued. Once they have been catalogued the listings on our online catalogue at http://adlib.kingston.ac.uk
Allied materials area
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Existence and location of copies
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Notes area
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Subject access points
- Artists
- Artists » Architects
- Construction engineering
- Construction engineering » Building design
- Vocational education
- Vocational education » Architecture education
- Information sources
- Communication process » Communication skills » Writing
- Communication process » Communication skills
- Communication process
- Architecture
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Description control area
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Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English