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Holbrook, David Kenneth, 1923-2011 (novelist, poet and academic)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1923 - 2011

Biography

The novelist, educationalist, poet, academic and social critic David Holbrook was born in Norwich on 9 January 1923, the son of Kenneth Redvers Holbrook, a railway clerk, and his wife Elsie Eleanor Holbrook. He was educated at the City of Norwich School and at Downing College, Cambridge, where he matriculated on 5 November 1941 and read English. From 1942 to 1945 he served as an officer in the Armoured Corps, taking part in the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 and the Rhineland campaign. After the War he returned to Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1946 and M.A. in 1951. He spent short periods working as an editor and a tutor organiser for the Workers' Educational Association before holding posts successively as tutor at Bassingbourn Village College, Cambridgeshire (1954-1961); fellow of King's College, Cambridge (1961-1965); and Director of Studies in English at Downing College (1982-1989; Emeritus Fellow of Downing from 1989). A festschrift in his honour, 'Powers of Being: David Holbrook and His Work', edited by Edwin Webb, was published by Associated University Presses in 1995. David Holbrook died on 11 August 2011.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

Letter from David Holbrook to 'Denys' [? Denys Thompson], 10 Mar. 1966

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9750/251
Scope and Contents

Concerns Holbrook's novel 'Flesh wounds' and the experience of soldiers in battle.

Dates: 10 Mar. 1966
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

'The Madnesses of Dr Leavis'

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9633/1/6
Scope and Contents

Word-processed script.

Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Includes restricted material.

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