John Drinkwater, literary papers with related material
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: John Drinkwater, literary papers with related material
Classmark: BC MS 20c Drinkwater
Creator(s): Drinkwater, John (1882-1937)()
Date(s): 1906-1939
Language: English
Size and medium: 2 boxes, 11 large folders, and 103 vols; manuscript, typescript, photographs, press cuttings, and printed material.
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/8453
Collection group(s): English Literature
Description
Comprises: (a) 11 large decorated folders containing reviews of his poetry, plays, prose works, lectures, films, and acting, and reports of national events and obituaries on him; (b) 1 box containing miscellaneous printed poems written by him for various occasions and for songs to be set to music; also, a typescript memoir by Miss W. Gwyn Jeffreys entitled, 'My seventeen years as John Drinkwater's secretary', 9ff., and another typewritten list of his articles submitted to periodicals; (c) 1 box containing 4 items, namely: (i) a scrapbook of early reviews and articles by and about him, dated 1907-1912, (ii) an autograph manuscript notebook containing a scenario of his film 'Sally Bishop' from Temple Thurston's novel, dated 26 October 1932, (iii) 1 decorated folder containing 8 printed 'Pamphlets by John Drinkwater', and (iv) 1 larger decorated folder containing 9 printed 'Broadsheets by John Drinkwater'.
Includes a Christmas card designed by Drinkwater.
Biography or history
John Drinkwater (1882-1937), the poet, biographer, dramatist and theatre manager, was born in Leytonstone, London. He had a distinguished theatrical career, founding and becoming the manager of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1913. His first verse-play was 'Copetua' (1913), which was followed in 1918 by his more successful 'Abraham Lincoln'. Drinkwater produced numerous popular biographies and autobiographies and wrote the poetry for many musical pieces and special events. His 'Collected poems' were published in 1923, and his 'Collected plays' in 1925.
Access and usage
Access
Access to this material is unrestricted.