Dates
Legal status / Nationality
British.
Sphere of activity
Poet.
Relationships
Grand-daughter of Charles Darwin. M. Francis Macdonald Cornford 1909. Close friend of Rupert Brooke.
Biography
Frances Crofts was born in Cambridge on 30 March 1886, the only child of Sir Francis Darwin (1848–1925) and his second wife, Ellen Wordsworth Crofts (1856–1903), daughter of John Crofts, of Leeds. Ellen was a lecturer in English at Newnham College, Cambridge. Francis Darwin, then lecturer in botany at Cambridge, was the third son of Charles Darwin, whom he had helped with his biological researches. Frances was half-sister to the writer and golfing expert Bernard Darwin, the only child of her father's first marriage. Her education was private, and during her childhood her chief associates were her cousins, the children of George Darwin and Horace Darwin. Her mother died when she was seventeen; her father then moved their home for a short time to London, but soon returned to Cambridge where Frances spent most of the rest of her life.
In the summer of 1908 members of the Cambridge Marlowe Dramatic Society arranged a performance of Comus as part of a Milton tercentenary celebration at Christ's College, where Frances Darwin met Francis Macdonald Cornford (1874–1943), a fellow of Trinity College and afterwards Laurence professor of ancient philosophy at Cambridge, who had been cast for the part of Comus. They were married in 1909. Their home at Conduit Head off the Madingley Road soon became a meeting-place for artists and men of letters such as Will Rothenstein, Eric Gill, Lowes Dickinson, Bertrand Russell, and occasional visitors such as Rabindranath Tagore. The Cornfords had five children. Their eldest son, (Rupert) John Cornford, was killed in Spain, in December 1936. The second son, Christopher Francis Cornford, became an artist and in 1963 was appointed the first dean of the Royal College of Art in London.
Frances Darwin started writing poetry at sixteen and subsequently published enough to entitle her to a distinguished place among the minor poets of the Georgian period and later years. Her first volume, Poems (1910), brought somewhat embarrassing fame for 'To a Fat Lady Seen from a Train', which became a standard anthology piece and was parodied by G. K. Chesterton. One of her early books was a ‘morality’ play, 'Death and the Princess' (1912). With the publication of later volumes of poetry, 'Different Days' (1928), 'Mountains and Molehills' (1934), and 'Travelling Home' (1948), the quiet but distinctive quality of her work began to be recognized. In 1954 her volume 'Collected Poems' was the official ‘choice’ of the Poetry Book Society and in 1959 she was awarded the queen's medal for poetry.
Frances Cornford died of heart failure at her home, 10 Millington Road, Cambridge, on 19 August 1960. She was buried at St Giles's cemetery, Cambridge.
Found in 181 Collections and/or Records:
Fonds
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10416
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of an album of pasted material (MS Add.10416/1-48), loose items taken from the album (catalogued consecutively as MS Add.10416/49-68), and other items from a related file of family papers marked ‘Personal’ (MS Add.10416/69-110). MS Add.10416/111 consists of a single large item (a family sketch) in a separate folder. Items pasted in the album have been numbered in the catalogue to correspond to the original handwritten pagination, taking into account several pages left...
Dates:
Early twentieth century-1963
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0272/RCB/L/8/9
Scope and Contents
4 autograph letters, signed, with typescript transcripts.
1 autograph letter, signed, from Frances Cornford to Geoffrey Keynes enclosing Rupert Brooke's letters.
Dates:
1912-08-02 - 1912-09
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/PRESS 3/1/2/2639
Scope and Contents
Includes mention of Woodthorpe, Miss G.
Dates:
1933 - 1934
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Scholarly access to this material may be restricted if it contains information exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 2000. Please apply in advance to the Cambridge University Press Archivist.
Fonds
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/3437/FMCD
Scope and Contents
Drafts of lectures delivered by Cornford as part of his regular Tripos teaching at Cambridge, published articles, correspondence between Cornford and his protégé Guthrie, later correspondence between Cornford's widow Frances and Gutherie and some biographical material.
Dates:
1920 - 1978
Conditions Governing Access:
These Papers are open for consultation by researchers.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0272/JMK/PP/45/75
Scope and Contents
3 autograph letters, signed, to J.M. Keynes. 1911-43.
1 carbon typed letter, signed, from J.M. Keynes. 30 Mar. 1943.
Dates:
1911 - 1943
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
Sub-Series
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9813/C1
Scope and Contents
This subseries consists mainly of files formerly in Meynell's boxes labelled 'People' and 'Nonesuch people'. Some other related papers are with the letters. The name of the item is the name of the correspondent. A few organizations are in this sequence along with individuals. Meynell's correspondence with his parents is in series A.
Dates:
1910-1974
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
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Hassall died intestate. His working papers were taken to the Royal Society of Literature by his assistant Gillian Paterson, who arranged and (presumably) listed them. They were bought by CUL from Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 1992. They were housed in paper box files 1 25 and cartons A D, as listed. They have now been re boxed, in 28 boxes and one packet, which has involved some reorganisation of the material and hence some rearrangement and re numbering of the original list.
Dates:
1941-1962
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10286/1/18
Scope and Contents
Single letter from Frances Crofts Darwin to Ida Darwin dated 17 July 1897 thanking Ida for some flower seedlings. The letter is decorated with a small illustration.
Dates:
17 Jul 1897
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0272/RCB/Pr/74
Scope and Contents
A volume written by Frances Cornford and published at Cambridge in 1912. Inscribed 'For Rupert from Frances January 1913'. Label.
Dates:
1912
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
Fonds
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10404
Scope and Contents
A copy of Frances Cornford, 'Collected Poems' (London: The Cresset Press, 1954), formerly belongong to Margaret Irwin ('Peg Monsell'), bearing a manuscript dedication by Cornford, 30 August 1954, and annotations in Irwin's hand. With related items, formerly found inserted, comprising three letters and a postcard from Cornford to Irwin, [1956]-[1957] and undated; 'P.S. to "Childhood", p.79 of Frances Cornford's "Collected Poems". Answer to last 2 lines' (verse), by Irwin, October 1956; letter...
Dates:
1954-1960 and undated
Fonds
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9280
Scope and Contents
Sir Edward Howard Marsh (1872-1953), patron of the arts and for many years private secretary to Sir Winston Churchill, was a close friend of Rupert Brooke, and wrote the Memoir introducing Brooke's Collected Poems in 1918. Frances Cornford's letters provided him with much information about Brooke and his circle of friends.
Dates:
1915-1951 (Some undated)
Conditions Governing Access:
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).
Fonds
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10410
Scope and Contents
Papers of the Cornford family, principally of the poet Frances Crofts Cornford. The collection includes letters to Francis Darwin from his second wife Ellen Wordsworth Crofts; letters to and from Frances Crofts Cornford and her husband Francis Macdonald Cornford; poems by Frances Crofts Cornford; notes on their children by Frances Crofts Cornford and Francis Macdonald Cornford; drafts of Frances Crofts Cornford's memoir of her husband; and correspondence of later generations of Cornford...
Dates:
1876-1992 and undated
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0272/RCB/Ph/161
Scope and Contents
Photograph of Frances Cornford taken at Woburn Sands. Print, 14.7 x 8.9. Inscribed on back '1910 Woburn Sands'. (Sleeve 57)
Dates:
1910
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0272/RCB/Ph/162
Scope and Contents
Photograph of Frances Cornford taken in Norfolk. Print, 14.5 x 8.9. (Sleeve 57)
Dates:
1910
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0272/RCB/Ph/173
Scope and Contents
Photograph of Frances Cornford, Helena Cornford as a baby, an unidentified person and Rupert Brooke. Taken at Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. Print, 14.5 x 8.8. (Sleeve 63)
Dates:
1914-08
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0272/RCB/Ph/160a
Scope and Contents
Group photograph of (possibly) Dr. Francis Darwin, Frances Cornford (née Darwin) and Francis Cornford, probably taken in Cambridge. Print, 15.4 x 11.2. (Sleeve 55)
Dates:
1908
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
For access conditions see the Archive Centre pages of the King's College Cambridge website.
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/215
Scope and Contents
poem: Lullaby Triolet
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/216
Scope and Contents
poem: The Guitarist Tunes Up
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/218
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Hassall died intestate. His working papers were taken to the Royal Society of Literature by his assistant Gillian Paterson, who arranged and (presumably) listed them. They were bought by CUL from Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 1992. They were housed in paper box files 1 25 and cartons A D, as listed. They have now been re boxed, in 28 boxes and one packet, which has involved some reorganisation of the material and hence some rearrangement and re numbering of the original list.
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/220
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Hassall died intestate. His working papers were taken to the Royal Society of Literature by his assistant Gillian Paterson, who arranged and (presumably) listed them. They were bought by CUL from Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 1992. They were housed in paper box files 1 25 and cartons A D, as listed. They have now been re boxed, in 28 boxes and one packet, which has involved some reorganisation of the material and hence some rearrangement and re numbering of the original list.
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/147
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Hassall died intestate. His working papers were taken to the Royal Society of Literature by his assistant Gillian Paterson, who arranged and (presumably) listed them. They were bought by CUL from Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 1992. They were housed in paper box files 1 25 and cartons A D, as listed. They have now been re boxed, in 28 boxes and one packet, which has involved some reorganisation of the material and hence some rearrangement and re numbering of the original list.
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/177
Scope and Contents
[postcard]
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/206
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Hassall died intestate. His working papers were taken to the Royal Society of Literature by his assistant Gillian Paterson, who arranged and (presumably) listed them. They were bought by CUL from Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 1992. They were housed in paper box files 1 25 and cartons A D, as listed. They have now been re boxed, in 28 boxes and one packet, which has involved some reorganisation of the material and hence some rearrangement and re numbering of the original list.
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/207
Scope and Contents
[originally accompanying typescript of David Castilleje]
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).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8905/10/C/99
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Hassall died intestate. His working papers were taken to the Royal Society of Literature by his assistant Gillian Paterson, who arranged and (presumably) listed them. They were bought by CUL from Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 1992. They were housed in paper box files 1 25 and cartons A D, as listed. They have now been re boxed, in 28 boxes and one packet, which has involved some reorganisation of the material and hence some rearrangement and re numbering of the original list.
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).
