F R Leavis Collection, 1934 - 2016

Fonds

Reference Code: GBR/0269/DCPP/LEA

Scope and Contents

Letters from F R Leavis to L. C. Knights, David Holbrook, Frank Bradbrook, C B Winder, R O C Winkler, A I Doyle, John Tasker, Geoffrey Walton, Canon Frank Telfer, Ronald Hayman, Robert Tudor Jones, Peter Coveney, Michael Yudkin and others (mainly Downing alumni). Also includes reading list suggestions, newspaper articles and photos, memoirs by former students and correspondence concerning donation.

Dates

1934 - 2016

Creator

Leavis, Frank Raymond, 1895 - 1978 (Literary Critic) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Most letters are open to researchers, but some closure periods apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright in Leavis letters resides with Leavis's literary executors - his son Dr Robin Leavis and Prof. Ghan Singh. Copyright expires 2048.

Biographical / Historical

Frank Raymond Leavis (1895-1978) was Fellow at Downing 1936-62 and Honorary Fellow 1962-4. He became Director of Studies in English and one of the most influential literary critics of the 20th century. He was editor of the literary journal 'Scrutiny', 1932-1953, with his wife, Q. D. Leavis. He held a visiting professorship at York University after leaving Downing College, from c.1965-1976.

Extent

c. 750 item(s) (c. 750 letters) : Paper

c. 12 archive box(es) (c. 10 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Other Finding Aids

Detailed finding aid available to visiting researchers on request.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These letters have all been donated by their respective recipients or their relatives.

Related Materials

DCHR/1/2/FRL, DCPP/QDL and various letters from both FR Leavis and QD Leavis in the papers of R Gordon Cox (DCPP/COX) and Harold Mason (DCPP/MAS). See also DCPP/KNI for scholarship examination papers shared with L. C. Knights. Emmanuel College and Girton College Archives also hold collections of papers relating to, and created by, F. R. and Q. D. Leavis.