Finding Aid for the Ivy Compton-Burnett literary manuscripts, 1948-1963

Processed by Dan Luckenbill; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.

UCLA Library Special Collections

Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575

(310) 825-4988

spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

Title: I. Compton-Burnett literary manuscripts

Collection number: 2035

Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 1.0 linear ft. (2 boxes)

Date: 1948-1963

Abstract: I. (Ivy) Compton-Burnett (1884-1969) was an author who wrote over twenty novels. She received the James Tait Black memorial prize for Mother and son (1955). The collection consists of manuscripts of four novels and one typescript by Compton-Burnett including A father and his fate, A heritage and its history, and Two worlds and their ways.

Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Restrictions on Access

Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections for paging information.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of John Paul and Mary Ewing, the Friends of the UCLA Library, and the UCLA Parents' Fund.
From the collection of late UCLA Professor of English Majl Ewing.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], I. Compton-Burnett Literary Manuscripts (Collection 2035). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library.

Biography

I. (Ivy) Compton-Burnett was born at Pinner, Middlesex, England, June 5, 1884; educated at Addiscombe College, Howard College, and the Royal Holloway College; wrote first novel, Dolores (1911), while a governess for her younger sisters; wrote over twenty novels in her lifetime, receiving the James Tait Black memorial prize for Mother and son (1955); died, London, England, August 27, 1969.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of manuscripts of four novels and one typescript by I. Compton-Burnett: 1. A father and his fate; 2. A god and his gifts; 3. A heritage and its history; 4. The mighty and their fall; 5. Two worlds and their ways.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by title.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 964503

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Compton-Burnett, I. (Ivy), 1884-1969--Archives.

Authors, English--Manuscripts.

Women novelists, English--Archival resources.

A Father and his Fate

Physical Description: 4 folders.

Scope and Content Note

In October her postcard came with the news that she had finished her new novel. ... The novel I took down to Sussex to type was called A Father and his Fate. ... something must have delayed my typing ... because I have a postcard from Ivy dated 14th November 1956 in answer to one from me. (Greig, pp.75, 79).

General note

Published in London by Victor Gallancz, 1957, 206pp.

Box 1, Folder 1

Holograph manuscript, in notebooks numbered 1-6. London, 1956.

Physical Description: 277 leaves.

Box 1, Folder 2

Typescript. Sussex, 1956.

Physical Description: Some holograph corrections by author. pp.1-113.

Scope and Content Note

Printer's copy.

Box 1, Folder 3

Typescript.

Physical Description: pp.114-282.

Box 1, Folder 4

Typescript.

Physical Description: Holograph note to the printer, but with no corrections or printer's markings. (Carbon) 282pp.

A God and his Gifts

Physical Description: 3 folders.

Scope and Content Note

In April 1963 she had finished her new book. Her card is dated 5 April 1963. ... I finished typing the book early in May, and wrote telling her I would bring it up as I had a date in London. (Greig, pp.88, 92).

General note

Published in London by Victor Gallancz, 1963, 240pp.

Box 1, Folder 5

Holograph manuscript, in notebooks numbered 1-13. London, 1962-63.

Physical Description: 243 leaves.

Box 1, Folder 6

Typescript. Hampshire, 1963.

Physical Description: Some holograph corrections by author. pp.1-106.

Scope and Content Note

Printer's copy.

Box 1, Folder 7

Typescript.

Physical Description: pp.107-225.

A Heritage and its History

Physical Description: 3 folders.

Scope and Content Note

I was glad to have Ivy's card in November, 1958, with the news of another novel. ... The novel I fetched was A Heritage and its History, Ivy's sixteenth novel. ... I had to write and tell her I could not come up to town before Christmas, and posting the typescript was out of the question. ... It was not a difficult novel to type and I thought it one of her best. (Greig, pp.81-82).

General note

Published in London by Victor Gallancz, 1959, 240pp.

Box 2, Folder 1

Holograph manuscript, in notebooks numbered 1-8. (Entitled A heritage and a hero) 1958.

Physical Description: 299 leaves.

Box 2, Folder 2

Typescript. Sussex, 1958.

Physical Description: Some holograph corrections by author. pp.1-124.

Scope and Content Note

Printer's copy.

Box 2, Folder 3

Typescript.

Physical Description: pp.125-163.

The Mighty and Their Fall

Physical Description: 3 folders.

Scope and Content Note

She finished the book she was working on and sent me a card dated 10 February 1961. 'Would you be able to come to lunch on Wednesday, February 15th. at 1, and take my MS, and, if possible, type it at once? I very much hope so. But say if you are too busy or tired. Ivy Compton-Burnett' ...

I finished typing the novel by the end of the month, and wrote suggesting a date for bringing it up. Ivy wrote on 3 March 1961. 'I should be grateful if I could have the work by the end of next week as I want to take it away with me. It would be nice if you could come to lunch on Thursday, or Saturday, and bring it.' I. C-B

General note

Published in London by Victor Gallancz, 1961, 221pp.

Box 2, Folder 4

Holograph manuscript, in notebooks numbered 1-6. London, 1960-61.

Physical Description: 247 leaves.

Box 2, Folder 5

Typescript. Sussex, 1961.

Physical Description: Some holograph corrections by the author. 204pp.

Scope and Content Note

Printer's copy.

Two Worlds and Their Ways

Physical Description: 2 folders.

Scope and Content Note

I typed Manservant and Maidservant in March 1946 and it came out in February 1947. By the summer of the following year Ivy had another manuscript ready for me, Two Worlds and their Ways. This was published in June 1949. ... typing the book was a delight... (Greig, pp.45, 48).

Box 2, Folder 6

Typescript. London, 1948.

Physical Description: Holograph corrections in ink and pencil on most pages, extensive deletions and lengthy passages added. pp.1-176.

Scope and Content Note

Printer's copy.

Box 2, Folder 7

Typescript.

Physical Description: pp.177-419.