Vera Brittain letter to John Middleton Murry, 1946 September 13
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Creator:
- Brittain, Vera, 1893-1970, Baskin, Lisa Unger, Lisa Unger Baskin Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library), and Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
- Abstract:
- Vera Brittain was an English writer and pacifist activist best known for her World War I memoir Testament of Youth. The Vera Brittain letter to critia and editor John Middleton Murry concerns matters relating to the publishing and financing of Murry's literary, socialist, and pacifist magazine The Adelphi. Brittain also writes of her pacifism as it relates to concerns about nuclear warfare in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
- Extent:
- 0.1 Linear Feet (1 item)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11392
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Consists of a single typescript letter from Brittain to the critic and editor John Middleton Murry dated September 13, 1946. Single-page, with text on front and back written on letterhead reading "2 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea S.W.3." Brittain comments on the revival of Murry's The Adelphi, and on strategies to finance such literary magazines. The second part of the letter discusses her opinions on methods of pacifist activism, particuarly as related to nuclear war. The postscript discusses the forthcoming publication of John Hersey's 1946 book Hiroshima. She comments, "If only the world could read it, the 'next war' would move much further off." It is signed "Vera."
- Biographical / historical:
-
Vera Brittain was an English writer known for her best-selling 1933 World War I memoir Testament of Youth, which has been adapted for television and film. Brittain's wartime experiences, including her service as a nurse and the loss of her fiance and her brother, led her to pacifism. Brittain's 1957 memoir Testament of Experience continued her life story.
John Middleton Murry was an English writer, editor and publisher, as well as an outspoken socialist and pacifist. Murry was married to the writer Katherine Mansfield and was an associate of of the Bloomsbury group.
- Acquisition information:
- The Vera Brittain letter to John Middleton Murry was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2015.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Megan E. Lewis, February, 2017
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2015-0050-LUBMSS136
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.
All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Vera Brittain letter to John Middleton Murry, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.