Collection ID: LMC 1006
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Adams, Richard, 1920-
Abstract:
The Adams, R. mss., 1968-1984, collection consists of the papers of publishing firm Rex Collings Ltd. relating to the publication of several novels, primarily Watership Down (1972), by author Richard Adams, 1920-2016.
Extent:
2 Boxes (2 standard)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Adams, R. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Richard Adams, 1920-2016, was born and grew up in Wash Common, England, before attending Worcester College, Oxford, and serving in World War II. Writing was initially a casual pastime for Adams, but after his children pushed him to turn a story he once made up for them into a book, he embarked on the task of writing and publishing his most famous work, Watership Down (1972). The manuscript was turned down several times by different publishers before Rex Collings accepted it. The novel earned widespread acclaim, but it was not before Adams has published his second book, Shardik (1974), that he began to write full-time. He wrote several more novels, including The Plague Dogs (1977) and The Girl in a Swing (1980). Adams died in 2016 at the age of 96.

Scope and Content:

Most of the papers concern the bestselling children's classic Watership Down (1972), including correspondence, contracts, publicity and production materials, royalty statements, clippings, a radio script, and materials regarding the illustrated edition and the film. There also is a press release and clipping for his The Girl in a Swing (1980); a contract with Penguin Books for The Plague Dogs (1977); and production materials, a press release, and contract materials with Penguin Books for Shardik (1974), as well as correspondence relating to all three of these titles: in particular is a letter from Adams to Rex Collings dated Apr. 29, 1977 concerning a perceived attack on civil servants and parliamentarians in The Plague Dogs. In a July 3, 1973 letter to Collings, Adams discusses the concept and imagery behind the story of Shardik.

Acquisition information:
Acquired: 1991
Processing information:

Processed by Staff. Completed in 2013.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged following original order.

Physical location:
Lilly - Stacks

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Adams, R. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu