Call Number:

M8

Repository:

Bryn Mawr College

Extent:

0.5 linear ft.

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

John Masefield Collection, Special Collection Department, Bryn Mawr College Library.

Date:

1894-1944 (inclusive)

Creator:

Masefield, John, 1878-1967

Form:

Photographs and Correspondence

Abstract:

The poet John Masefield was born on June 1, 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. Masefield was best known for his sea poems, including "Sea Fever" and "Cargoes," and for his long, narrative poems, including "The Everlasting Mercy." He also wrote adventure novels, short stories, and works for children, as well as two autobiographical works. In 1930, he was appointed poet laureate of England, and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1935. Masefield died near Abingdon, Berkshire on 12 May 1967. The collection contains a number of letters, a small group of material about a musical composition by Malcolm Davidson based on Masefield's poem, "A Christmas Carol", prints and photographs.

The poet John Masefield was born on 1 June 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. Masefield was best known for his sea poems, including "Sea Fever" and "Cargoes," and for his long, narrative poems, including "The Everlasting Mercy." He also wrote adventure novels, short stories, and works for children, as well as two autobiographical works, In the Mill (1941), which describes his time working in a carpet factory in the United States, and So Long to Learn (1952). Masefield worked on a windjammer that sailed around Cape Horn, lived for some time in the United States, and then returned to England where he worked as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian. In 1930, he was appointed poet laureate of England, and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1935. Masefield died near Abingdon, Berkshire on 12 May 1967.

The John Masefield collection houses the correspondence and other personal papers of the poet John Masefield, who was best known for his poetry about the sea. The collection ranges from 1894 to 1944.

The collection is divided into four series: "Series I: Correspondence," "Series II: Writing," "Series III: Photographs and prints," and "Series IV: Other Material."

"Series I: Correspondence" is divided into correspondence "From John Masefield" and correspondence "From Third Parties." The collection contains a number of letters by John Masefield, most regarding his work, from 1906 to 1944. "Series II: Writing" is divided into two subseries, "Writings by John Masefield" and 'Writings by others." "Writings by others" includes a small group of material about the December 1920 edition of The Chapbook (published by The Poetry Bookshop) which contained a musical composition by Malcolm Davidson based on Masefield's poem, "A Christmas Carol." This material includes the handwritten score and letters to and from The Poetry Bookshop about the publication. "Series III: Photographs and prints" contains two prints and three photographs of Masefield, all from the 1920s, four of them signed by him. There are also two landscape photographs, with a note by Masefield. "Series IV: Other Material" contains the earliest item in the collection, a nautical certificate dated 1894, which was presented to Masefield from the ship "Conway."

Masefield was best known for his poetry about the sea. Although small, this collection provides a useful, well-rounded look at his personal and professional life. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in Masefield's poetry and correspondence.