Sitwell family letters and manuscripts, 1928-1978

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged.

• Series I: Letters and Manuscripts
• Series II: Addenda
• Series III: 1991 Purchase
• Series IV: 1992 Purchase
• Edith Sitwell Notebooks

Description

Summary

Various letters and manuscripts by and about Sir Osbert Sitwell (1892-1969), Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964), and Sir Sacheverell Sitwell (1897-). There are 2 notebooks which Dame Edith Sitwell inscribed to Siegfried Sassoon containing drafts of her poem "Gold Coast Customs" as well as numerous other drafts of prose and poems.

• Series I: Letters and Manuscripts

• Series II: Addenda

• Series III: 1991 Purchase

• Series IV: 1992 Purchase

• Edith Sitwell Notebooks

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Sitwell family letters and manuscripts; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--293-24/6/80; 293-22/09/80; 293-17/11/80 (Gift of Winifred Myers, 1982); 297-9/02/81; 297-13/04/83. Date of acquisition--06/24/80. Accession number--M-80-06-24.

Edith Sitwell letter to Charles Ede: Source of acquisition--293 (Maggs Bros. Ltd.). Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--07/27/92. Accession number--M-92-07-27.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.

Edith Sitwell letter to Charles Ede Cataloged HR 08/07/92.

Case with 2 notebooks was placed into the manuscript box of paper. 2019-07-31 kws

Revision Description

2009-06-26 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographic note

Dame Edith Sitwell (1887 - 1964) was a poet and novelist. Known for her poetry and her books English Eccentrics and Fanfare for Elizabeth.

Sir Osbert Sitwell (1892-1969) wrote prose, poetry, short stories, and novels, including Before the Bombardment (1926). He wrote a five volume autobiography Left Hand Right Hand.

Sir Sacheverell Sitwell (1897-1988) wrote on art, architecture, ballet and travel. His Southern Baroque Art secured him a reputation as author and art historian.