John Galsworthy Letters

Brandeis University Libraries, Special Collections

c. 1998 By Brandeis University Libraries, all rights reserved


Table of Contents

Biography
Scope and Content
Cataloging Entries
Series Description
Container List


Creator: John Galsworthy
Title: Letters, 1907-1970
Identification: MWalB00001
Quantity: 1 linear ft
Repository: Brandeis University Libraries

Access:

Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department.

Copyright:

Requests to publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department.

Processed by:

S. Pyzynski, 1998

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Biography

John Galsworthy was born August 14, 1867 in Surrey, England, the son of a well-to-do solicitor. He had typical childhood of that time, was sent away to public school and then went to Oxford, where he studied law and graduated in 1889. In 1891 he meet his cousin's wife, Ada Pearson Cooper Galsworthy and four years later they initiate an affair, later marrying in 1905 after Ada Galsworthy gets a divorce. They had a close, inter-dependent relationship. It only ended with Galsworthy's death in 1933.

Galsworthy showed little interest in being a lawyer, and in 1892 he meets Joseph Conrad, with whom he developed a life-long friendship. Conrad, among other friends, encouraged Galsworthy to attempt writing. In 1897 Galsworthy has his first book of short stories published, and in 1898 his first novel is published, Jocelyn. Conrad introduces Galsworthy to several important and influential literary men, including Ford Madox Ford and Edward Garnett, the latter having a strong influence on Galsworthy, encouraging and editing his writings.

In 1906 Galsworthy published The Man of Property, the first novel in the series, The Forsythe Saga. This novel placed Galsworthy among the pre-eminent novelists of his day. However, it was his plays that brought him public recognition, starting with The Silver Box. Galsworthy continued writing steadily, gaining more and more fame and celebrity, culminating in his winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1932. John Galsworthy died on January 31, 1933.

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Scope and Content

The collection has two important components to it. The first are the letters from Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, who translated several of his plays into German. These letters illustrate Galsworthy's own feelings about his plays and what the critical and public response to the plays was.

The second important component of the collection is Galsworthy's letters to Joseph Conrad. These letters provide a unique insight into the relationship between two of the pre-eminent writers of their time. The correspondence includes Galsworthy's literary criticism and advice to Conrad, along with sympathy for his personal problems.

The rest of the collection includes various miscellaneous correspondence, several letters written by Ada Galsworthy, and a few newsclippings and memorabilia.

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Cataloging Entries

The following catalog entries provide controlled subject access to the collection. All these entries are searchable in the Brandeis University libraries' on-line catalog LOUIS to find materials of related interest.

Meyerfeld, Max--Correspondence.
Galsworthy, John, 1867-1933. Silver box.
Galsworthy, John, 1867-1933--Correspondence.
Galsworthy, Ada, d. 1956--Correspondence.
Conrad, Joseph, 1857-1924--Correspondence.
Authors, English--20th century.

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Series Description

Series I.
Galsworthy - Meyerfeld Letters,
1907-1931
This is the largest series in the collection, consisting of letters Galsworthy wrote to Max Meyerfeld. These letters chiefly deal with Max Meyerfeld's translations of Galsworthy's plays, and the attempts and successes of having the plays published and performed in Germany. The letters express a cordial, but not personally close, relationship.
Series II.
Galsworthy - Conrad Letters,
1919-1924
These letters, written by Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, give important insight into their relationship. Written while both men were established and famous literary authors, these letters illustrate both their literary relationship and their close personal relationship.
Series III.
Galsworthy Letters,
1910-1930
This series consists of letters Galsworthy wrote to various people. Some are merely thank you notes, or of minor interest. Some, however, include interesting observations and thoughts of Galsworthy on political, literary, or personal matters. One frequent topic is PEN, the international writer's organization, of which Galsworthy was the first president.
Series IV.
Ada Galsworthy Letters,
1910-1943
These are letters written by Ada Galsworthy to various individuals. Many of the letters she wrote for or with Galsworthy.
Series V.
Clippings and Memorabilia
This series consists of a few newsclippings and other items.

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Container List

Galsworthy - Meyerfeld Letters, 1907-1931
folder 1 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 13, 1907
folder 2 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 2, 1907
folder 3 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 3, 1907
folder 4 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 6, 1907
folder 5 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 24, 1907
folder 6 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 11, 1907
folder 7 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan. 20, 1908
folder 8 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 25, 1908
folder 9 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 9, 1908
folder 10 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Feb. 3, 1909
folder 11 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, May 29, 1909
folder 12 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 8, 1909
folder 13 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 17, 1909
folder 14 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 6, 1909
folder 15 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 12, 1907
folder 16 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 17, 1909
folder 17 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Sept. 28, 1909
folder 18 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Oct. 3, 1909
folder 19 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec. 3, 1909
folder 20 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec. 9, 1909
folder 21 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec. 13, 1909
folder 22 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec., 1909
folder 23 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [Jan. 1, 1910]
folder 24 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan 8, 1910
folder 25 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan. 28, 1910
folder 26 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 23, 1910
folder 27 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, May 15, 1910
folder 28 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, May 26, 1910
folder 29 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 23, 1910
folder 30 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 29, 1910
folder 31 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 7, 1910
folder 32 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [July 13, 1910?]
folder 33 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 16, 1910
folder 34 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [Sept. 29, 1910?]
folder 35 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Oct. 23, 1910
folder 36 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 1, 1910
folder 37 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 18, 1910
folder 38 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 9, 1911
folder 39 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 19, 1911
folder 40 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 31, 1911
folder 41 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Aug 17, 1911
folder 42 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Aug. 22, 1911
folder 43 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Sept. 1, 1911
folder 44 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec. 27, 1911
folder 45 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 4, 1912
folder 46 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 9, 1912
folder 47 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec 19, 1912
folder 48 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [March 25, 1913]
folder 49 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 29, 1913
folder 50 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 16, 1913
folder 51 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 17, 1913
folder 52 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [April 22, 1913?]
folder 53 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Aug 31, 1913
folder 54 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan 3, 1914
folder 55 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Feb 11, 1914
folder 56 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 22, 1914
folder 57 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, May 8, 1914
folder 58 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, May 16, 1914
folder 59 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 30, 1914
folder 60 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 5, 1920
folder 61 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 15, 1920
folder 62 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Oct. 12, 1921
folder 63 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 9, 1921
folder 64 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan 25, 1922
folder 65 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 9, 1924
folder 66 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, May 26, 1924
folder 67 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec. 18, 1924
folder 68 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [March 29, 1925?]
folder 69 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan 11, 1925
folder 70 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 16, 1925
folder 71 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 21, 1925
folder 72 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Oct. 12, 1925
folder 73 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Oct. 21, 1925
folder 74 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Feb. 9, 1926
folder 75 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 26, 1910
folder 76 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 13, 1926
folder 77 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 18, 1926
folder 78 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 30, 1926
folder 79 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Aug. 19, 1926
folder 80 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 28, 1927
folder 81 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Oct 22, 1927
folder 82 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 28, 1927
folder 83 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 30, 1927
folder 84 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Dec. 20, 1927
folder 85 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan. 24, 1928
folder 86 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Feb. 25, 1928
folder 87 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 13, 1928
folder 88 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 27, 1928
folder 89 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 28, 1928
folder 90 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Aug 27, 1928
folder 91 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 31, 1929
folder 92 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 29, 1929
folder 93 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, June 13, 1929
folder 94 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, July 30, 1929
folder 95 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Nov. 28, 1929
folder 96 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, Jan. 6, 1930
folder 97 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, March 9, 1930
folder 98 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 29, 1930
folder 99 John Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, April 27, 1931
Galsworthy - Conrad Letters, 1919-1924
folder 100 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Jan. 30, 1919
folder 101 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, May 4, 1920
folder 102 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, May 20, 1921
folder 103 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, June 6, 1921
folder 104 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, June 12, 1921
folder 105 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Oct. 30, 1921
folder 106 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Feb. 3, 1922
folder 107 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Feb. 10, 1922
folder 108 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Nov. 26, 1922
folder 109 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, April 8, 1923
folder 110 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, June 27, 1923
folder 111 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, July 14, 1923
folder 112 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Oct. 11, 1923
folder 113 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, Nov. 1, 1923
folder 114 John Galsworthy to Joseph Conrad, ALS, April 21, 1924
Galsworthy Letters, 1910-1930
folder 115 John Galsworthy to Mrs. Vallentin, ALS, July 4, 1910
folder 116 John Galsworthy to [unknown], ALS, Jan. 11, 1911
folder 117 John Galsworthy to Mlle. Veron, ALS, Feb. 8, 1911
folder 118 John Galsworthy to [unknown], ALS, March 13, 1912
folder 119 John Galsworthy to Mr. Mannering, ALS, Oct. 31, 1912
folder 120 John Galsworthy to Mr. Mannering, ALS, Nov. 2, 1912
folder 121 John Galsworthy to Mr. Blathwayt, ALS, Nov. 4, 1912
folder 122 John Galsworthy to Mr. Mannering, ALS, Dec. 9, 1912
folder 123 Bruno Cassierer to John Galsworthy, ALS, April 15, 1923
folder 124 John Galsworthy to M. D'Avray, ALS, June 20, 1913
folder 125 John Galsworthy to M. D'Avray, ALS, March 18, 1914
folder 126 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, April 23, 1915
folder 127 John Galsworthy to Mr. Harrison, ALS, Feb. 4, 1921
folder 128 John Galsworthy to R.L. Megroz, ALS, Oct. 3, 1922
folder 129 John Galsworthy to R.L. Megroz, ALS, Nov. 2, 1922
folder 130 John Galsworthy to R.L. Megroz, ALS, Dec. 9, 1922
folder 131 John Galsworthy to Edward Gosse, ALS, June 15, 1922
folder 132 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, Aug. 23, 1924
folder 133 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, Oct. 8, 1924
folder 134 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, Oct. 15, 1924
folder 135 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, Oct. 17, 1924
folder 136 John Galsworthy to Edward Gosse, ALS, Oct. 23, 1924
folder 137 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, Nov. 5, 1924
folder 138 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, July 15, 1925
folder 139 John Galsworthy to [Philip S. Manne], ALS, Feb. 15, 1924
folder 140 John Galsworthy to Richard Curle, ALS, Sept. 6, 1926
folder 141 John Galsworthy to Naomi Mitchison, Image available ALS, Oct. 29, 1927
folder 142 John Galsworthy to George Goch, ALS, May 7, 1924
folder 143 John Galsworthy to George Goch, ALS, June 17, 1924
folder 144 John Galsworthy to Edward Hall, ALS, July 5, 1928
folder 145 John Galsworthy to George Goch, ALS, July 6, 1928
folder 146 John Galsworthy to Arnold Rubin, ALS, Sept. 17, 1928
folder 147 John Galsworthy to [unknown], ALS, Aug. 7, 1929
folder 148 John Galsworthy to Paul Creswick, ALS, Aug. 29, 1929
folder 149 John Galsworthy to Edward Gosse, ALS, Oct. 9, 1929
folder 150 John Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, March 22, 1930
folder 151 John Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, Nov. 13, 1930
folder 152 John Galsworthy to Mrs. Vallentin, ALS, [Oct. 16, ?]
folder 153 [John Galsworthy] to E.W. Lublin, ALS, [n.d.]
Ada Galsworthy Letters, 1910-1943
folder 154 Ada Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld ALS, May 13, 1924
folder 155 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, Nov. 12, 1928
folder 156 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, Nov. 14, 1928
folder 157 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, April 29, 1929
folder 158 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, July 27, 1928
folder 159 [Ada Galsworthy] to W.H.T. Howe, DS, Oct. 31, 1929
folder 160 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, Jan. 3, 1931
folder 161 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, Jan. 17, 1931
folder 162 Ada Galsworthy to W.H.T. Howe, ALS, Feb. 4, 1931
folder 163 Ada Galsworthy to [unknown], ALS, Nov. 24, 1943
folder 164 Ada Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [Jan. 19, ?]
folder 165 Ada Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [Feb. 4, ?]
folder 166 Ada Galsworthy to Max Meyerfeld, ALS, [Nov. 2, ?]
Clippings and Memorabilia
folder 167 John Galsworthy,Errantry
folder 168 John Galsworthy,Pitiful reprinted by Our Dumb Friends League.
folder 169 John Galsworthy,John Galsworthy's The Silver Box typed document
folder 170 John Galsworthy, Calendar / Biographical handwritten notes
folder 171 Short biographies about John Galsworthy
folder 172 Advertisement for Galsworthy's The Country House
folder 173 Autographed photograph of John Galsworthy
folder 174 John Galsworthy Bookplate
Sept. 20, 1970
folder 175 Newsclipping, New York Times,
folder 176 Program guide (television) for Galsworthy's The Forsythe Saga (1969-1970)

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