Forester (C.S.) Papers, 1940-1964

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Summary

Title:
C.S. Forester papers
Dates:
1940-1964
Creators:
Forester, C. S. (Cecil Scott), 1899-1966
Abstract:
The C.S. Forester Papers (1940-1964, bulk undated) contain manuscripts for Forester's writings in a variety of genres, both published and unpublished. Most materials appear to be final typescripts, although some works exist in multiple or corrected drafts.
Extent:
Number of containers: 3 cartons, 1 box, 5 volumes, 2 oversize folders Linear feet: 6.2 linear feet
Language:
Collection materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], C.S. Forester Papers, BANC MSS 72/250 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The C.S. Forester Papers (1940-1964, bulk undated) contain manuscripts for Forester's writings in a variety of genres, both published and unpublished. Most materials appear to be final typescripts, although some works exist in multiple or corrected drafts.

Fiction writings represented comprise novels and short stories, including the published works Hornblower and the Atropos (1953), Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962), and The Nightmare (1954). The collection also includes manuscripts of what appear to be two unpublished novels: The Perfect Lady and Tranquil God.

Non-fiction writings in the collection include book-length texts and articles. Present are multiple typescript drafts and galley proofs for The Age of Fighting Sail (1956), as well as related correspondence; drafts and proofs for The Last Nine Days of the Bismarck (1959); and drafts and notes for an unpublished piece, Leyte Gulf, with correspondence regarding a possible film adaptation.

The collection also contains autobiographical pieces in which Forester reflects upon his own experiences and writings, including a draft and proofs for The Hornblower Companion (1964). Writings in other genres include several drafts of a play entitled The Furies, apparently unproduced; short works of criticism, mainly in the form of book reviews and introductions; and a series of "Ballades", with related correspondence.

General materials include clippings; a small amount of correspondence with publishers and others; notes and research materials; a screenplay and publicity material for two films adapted from Forester's texts; a program from Nurse Cavell (1933), a play co-written by Forester; works by other writers sent to Forester; and an artfully aged page from a "diary" attributed to Horatio Hornblower.

Biographical / historical:

C.S. Forester (1899-1966) was an author and historian best known for his tales of seafaring life. His most famous works are the 11-volume Horatio Hornblower series, set during the era of the Napoleonic Wars, and the novel The African Queen, adapted into a film by John Huston in 1951. Born in Cairo to British parents and educated in England, Forester settled in California at the end of World War II, where he lived until his death.

Processing information:

Processed by Arcadia Falcone in 2009.

Arrangement:

Arranged to the folder level.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding Aid written by Arcadia Falcone
Date Prepared:
© 2010
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid generated by Finding Aid author(s) via EAD XPress; markup validated by The Bancroft Library staff using OAC validation tools; Date of source: August 2010

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], C.S. Forester Papers, BANC MSS 72/250 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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