Description
This collection contains the papers of
British-American writer Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986), chiefly dating from the 1920s to
the 1980s. Consisting of scripts, literary manuscripts, correspondence, diaries,
photographs, ephemera, audiovisual material, and Isherwood's library, the archive is an
exceptionally rich resource for research on Isherwood, as well as W.H. Auden, Stephen
Spender and others.
Background
Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986) was born on August 26, 1904, in Cheshire, England, the
son of Frank and Kathleen Bradshaw-Isherwood. He attended Repton School, 1919-1922, and
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 1924-1925. He went to Berlin in 1929 to visit W. H. Auden
and remained, intermittently, for the next four years. In 1939 he immigrated to the United
States, settling in Santa Monica, California. From 1954 until his death on January 4, 1986,
Isherwood lived with his companion Don Bachardy.
Extent
140.6 Linear Feet
(159 boxes, 2 oversize folders)
Restrictions
Letters and manuscripts by W. H. Auden may be seen but may not be photocopied without
written permission from the Auden literary executor, Edward Mendelson. In no case will
permission be granted to copy all of the letters or manuscripts. His permission must also be
obtained in order to quote from or publish any of the Auden items.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.