Aileen Pippett papers, 1953-1961

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Summary

Creator:
Pippett, Aileen, 1895-1974 and Lisa Unger Baskin Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
Abstract:
Aileen Pippett was a British journalist and author who wrote The Moth and the Star (1955), the first full-length biography published about Virginia Woolf. This collection contains letters to Pippett relating to her research and publication of the biography, sent from various acquaintances or "intimates" of Woolf, as well as some letters from other authors responding to Pippett's published reviews of their work. Forms part of the Lisa Unger Baskin Collection.
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11956

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists largely of letters received by Aileen Pippett during the course of her research, writing, and post-publication of The Moth and the Star, a biography of Virginia Woolf. The collection's correspondants relayed their opinions (which were mixed) on Pippett's writing a biography of Woolf, and some included general impressions or memories of Woolf as Pippett conducted her research. Other letters are directed to Pippett relating to her printed reviews of other books. There is a letter from Vanessa Bell declining to contribute content to the biography. There are two letters from May Sarton discussing Virginia Woolf along with Pippett's review of Sarton's memoir, I Knew a Phoenix. The collection also includes a copy of Rumer Godden's mixed review of The Moth and the Star, along with letters between Pippett and Godden and their husbands, Roger Pippett and L. Haynes Dixon.

Biographical / historical:

(Winifred) Aileen Pippett (1895-1974) was a British journalist, literary critic, and author who researched and wrote The Moth and the Star, the first full-length biography of Virginia Woolf (first published in 1955 by Little, Brown). She faced some resistance from Woolf's family, including Leonard Woolf and Vanessa Bell (whose letter is included in the collection) but was encouraged by Woolf's friend Vita Sackville-West.

Aileen Pippett's second husband was Roger Pippett (1895-1962), also an author and literary critic who also has some correspondence in the collection. The couple lived in New York City.

Acquisition information:
The Aileen Pippett Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2015. They form part of the Lisa Unger Baskin Collection.
Processing information:

Processed by Meghan Lyon, November 2021

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2015-0050

Arrangement:

Collection was originally housed by Lisa Unger Baskin in a custom album. Materials have been removed from their original container and arranged alphabetically by author.

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.

Subjects:
Memoirs and biographies
Names:
Woolf, Virginia, 1882-1941

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Aileen Pippett Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m10445