Call Number:

C1199

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Matthew Phipps Shiel Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1892-1946 (inclusive)

Creator:

Shiel, M. P. (Matthew Phipps), 1865-1947

Form:

Correspondence -- 20th century

Abstract:

Consists of correspondence of Matthew Phipps Sheil, a prolific British writer of fantasy fiction, with editors, literary agents, publishers, and other authors.

Matthew Phipps Shiel was a prolific British writer of tantasy fiction, remembered most for supernatural and science fiction, published as novels, short stories, and serials. Shiel was born on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies. He moved to England in 1885, and after working as a teacher and translator he broke into the fiction market with a series of short stories published in The Strand and other magazines. By the early nineties he was contributing stories to penny weeklies and associating with such writers as W. T. Stead and Arthur Machen. In 1895 Shiel published Prince Zales, and The Rajah's Sapphire and Shapes in the Fire appeared the following year.

The collection consists of fifty-two letters and cards by Shiel to authors, editors, literary agents, and publishers. Subjects include his manuscripts, his publications (novels and short stories), publishing in America, and royalties. There are eleven letters to his literary agent Morris Colles, and thirteen letters to the publisher Henry Davray, most of them in French. Other correspondents include Curtis Brown Ltd. concerning Shiel's book Lord of the Sea; Philip Unwin of the publishers Allen & Unwin; Ernest Benn Ltd.; The Dailey Herald; Percival Presland Howe; Edward Harry William Meyerstein; author Walter Owen; Thomas Weston Ramsey, President of the Poetry Society; Sidgwick & Jackson, publishers; and Alan Tytheridge.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by correspondent.