Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Denson, Alan
- Abstract:
- The Denson mss., 1890-1967, consists of the papers of editor Alan Denson, 1930- , most of which were assembled for the book Letters From AE.
- Extent:
- 1 folio (oversize) and 3 Boxes (3 standard)
- Language:
- Materials are in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Denson mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Alan Denson, 1930- , was an editor known for his work with the writings and correspondence of George William Russell. He lived in Ellon, Scotland. His most important works include an edited collection of Russell's letters, Letters from AE, and a bibliography of Russell's works, Printed Writings by George W. Russell: A Bibliography.
George William Russell, 1867-1935, was an Irish poet, artist, and mystic. Russell used the pseudonym "AE" in his writing. He was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland on April 10, 1867. He published his first book of poetry, Homeward: Songs by the Way, in 1894, which served as his introduction to the Irish Literary Revival. He was a lifelong friend of W.B. Yeats, and he played a role in forming the literary career of James Joyce. His interests included the Irish nationalist cause, particularly the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, and various spiritualist practices including Theosophy, mysticism, and clairvoyance. He died in Bournemouth, England in 1935 and was buried in Dublin, Ireland.
- Scope and Content:
Correspondence consists mostly of letters that were written to Denson between 1950-1960 from artists, authors, editors, librarians, musicians, publishers, and friends of Russell. Among the correspondents are Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, Clifford Bax, Edmund Charles Blunden, Austin Clarke, Eleanor Farjeon, Robert Graves, Aldous Leonard Huxley, John Masefield, George O'Brien, Sean O'Casey, Sean O'Faolain, Frances Perkins, Ruth Pitter, Bertrand Russell, Pamela Lyndon Travers, Vernon Phillips Watkins, Georgie (Hyde-Lees) Yeats, and Andrew Young.
The Writings series includes (a) notes; (b) drafts of Printed Writings by George W. Russell: A Bibliography compiled by Denson printed under the same title. (Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University Press, 1961. Lilly PR6035 .U7 Z42); (c) drafts and galley proofs of Letters from AE edited by Denson and printed under the same title. (London, New York, Toronto, Abelard-Schuman, 1961. Lilly PR6035 .U7 Z5 1961).
The Russell, G. W. (AE) series consists of a collection of letters written and received by Russell. A folder marked "Originals" includes autographed letters from Russell to: Joanna Fortune, 1916-1919; Charles Coates Riddall, December 1, 1934, and Riddall's reply December 6, 1934; George Santayana, September 19, 1933, and Santayana's reply September 22, 1933; twelve letters to Eleanor Jane Skipworth, 1917-1935; and two undated letters from Susan Langstaff Mitchell to Eleanor Jane Skipworth. There are also two folders of photostats of letters from Russell not used in Denson's book; these are filed in alphabetical order by recipient. The recipients include Rosamund Bantock, Clifford Bax, Osborn Joseph Bergin, Richard Irvine Best, Robert Seymour Bridges, C.H. Coffey, Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th baron Dunsany, Lady Beatrice Child (Villiers) Dunsany, St. John Greer Ervine, Joanna Fortune, Oliver St. John Gogarty, Sir Patrick Joseph Henry Hannon, Irene Haugh, Sir John and Lady Lavery, Edith (White) Norman, Harry Felix Norman, Sean O'Faolain, Montagu Perville, Ruth Pitter, James Morgan Pryse, Sarah Henrietta Purser, George Roberts, Sir John Collings Squire, Mary Sutcliffe, Gilbert Oliver Thomas, George Philip Wells, and William Butler Yeats.
Photocopies includes a notebook presented by Russell to Susan Langstaff Mitchell on her birthday in 1902; the registration of the rules of the Irish National Theatre Society, 1905; Russell's membership card of the Theosophical Society, 1890; Russell's passport signed by Timothy Michael Healy, governor-general of the Irish Free State, 1926; and poems and prose by Russell and printed matter.
Photographs consists of photographs of Russell and his friends.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchase: 1967
- Arrangement:
The contents of this collection are arranged into five series: I. Correspondence; II. Writings; III. Russell, G. W.; IV. Photocopies; V. Photographs.
- Physical location:
- ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility) - OVFlat; Lilly - Stacks
Indexed Terms
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], Denson mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu