Christopher Isherwood letters to Rachel and Dorothy Monkhouse, approximately 1928-1936

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Isherwood, Christopher, 1904-1986
Abstract:
Contains five letters written by Christopher Isherwood, one letter to Dorothy Monkhouse and four letters to Rachel Monkhouse as well as a copy of "All the Conspirators" by Isherwood and inscribed to Rachel.
Extent:
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Christopher Isherwood letters to Rachel and Dorothy Monkhouse, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains five letters written by Christopher Isherwood, one letter to Dorothy Monkhouse and four letters to Rachel Monkhouse. There is also a copy of "All the Conspirators," Isherwood's first novel, inscribed to Rachel. The correspondence between Isherwood and Rachel discusses Isherwood's novel being accepted by publisher Jonathan Cape, Isherwood looking for a new place to live, arranging a visit between Isherwood and Rachel, and Rachel's new farm. The letter between Isherwood and Dorothy expresses Isherwood's condolences on the death of Dorothy's husband Allen. Isherwood's letters were sent from Kensington, England; Berlin, Germany; and Sao Pedro, Portugal.

Biographical / historical:

Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986) was born on August 26, 1904, in Cheshire, England, the son of Frank and Kathleen Bradshaw-Isherwood. 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.

Isherwood was the author of books such as The Berlin Stories (1945), based on the years he lived in Berlin and adapted as the play I Am a Camera (1951) and as the musical Cabaret (1966), A Single Man (1964), Journey to War (with W. H. Auden, 1939), and Kathleen and Frank (1971). He also wrote for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc (MGM) and was a guest lecturer at California State University, Los Angeles, at University of California, Santa Barbara, and other colleges.

Isherwood met artist Don Bachardy in 1952, and they remained together until Isherwood's death in 1986.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Conrad Natzio, March 2025.
Processing information:

Processed at the time of accessioning by Kahlee Leingang in June 2025.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Christopher Isherwood letters to Rachel and Dorothy Monkhouse, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website