Dame Edith Sitwell papers, 1913-1915

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Summary

Creators:
Sitwell, Edith, Dame, 1887-1964
Abstract:
A collection of poems and letters by English poet, Dame Edith Sitwell.
Extent:
1.2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Dame Edith Sitwell papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains a series of manuscript poems (both typewritten and handwritten items) by Edith Sitwell as well as some letters and miscellaneous items. Many of the manuscript poems in the collection are various drafts of poems, and several of them were published in Sitwell's first book, The Mother and Other Poems (1915). The letters in the collection are from Sitwell to her cousin, and fellow writer, Joan Wake, and chiefly address Sitwell's writing. The miscellaneous items include pieces written by Wake on modern poetry and on her cousin's poetic stylings.

Biographical / historical:

Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964) was an English poet, prose author and renowned eccentric. Sitwell was born into a prominent literary family and participated in literary endeavors with her brothers, Sir Osbert Sitwell and Sir Sacheverell Sitwell. Her first book, The Mother and Other Poems, was published in 1915, and Sitwell steadily published poetry from this point until her death; her volume of Collected Poems was published in 1930 and her last book of poems, The Outcasts, appeared in 1962. Although chiefly known as a poet, Sitwell also composed works in prose, many of which were nonfiction works and biographies. In 1953 Sitwell completed a film script based on her book on the life of Elizabeth I, A fanfare for Elizabeth (1946). A book of Sitwell's letters, Selected Letters, was published in 1970, six years after her death.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Joan Wake, July 1969.
Processing information:

Processed by Katrina Denman in 2001; in October 2023, Gayle M. Richardson created the finding aid.

Arrangement:

Arranged with Sitwell's poems first, followed by correspondence and miscellaneous items.

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]. Dame Edith Sitwell papers, 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
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