Henry Williamson Society: letters of Annabel Cash

Annabel Cash, friend of Henry Williamson: letters to the Membership Secretary of the Henry Williamson Society, mainly relating to changes of address, but with some commenting on her relationship with Williamson, 1984-1996.

Henry Williamson (1890-1982), novelist, was born in South London and educated at Colfe's Grammar School, Lewisham. He fought in the army in the First World War and gained a deep sense of the futility of conflict as a result. He worked as a journalist for a short while before writing his first novel, 'The Beautiful Years', in 1921. This became volume one of a quartet, named 'The Flax of Dreams'. At the same time he moved to North Devon and, in 1927, wrote there 'Tarka the Otter', the book on which his fame most heavily rests, and 'A Patriot's Progress' (1930), based on his trench experiences. After 'Salar the Salmon' (1935) he became an outspoken supporter of German reform and British fascism, which led to his being briefly interned at the start of the war. His postwar work, which is arguably his most important, is a cycle of fifteen novels entitled, 'A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight', which was completed in 1960.

He met Anna[bel] Cash in 1969, and wrote very frequently to her for the next year or so. Anna[bel] Cash became Anna Brook on her marriage in about 1973, later Anna Ellis upon remarrying, and Anna Cash (again) in 1996.

Usual EUL arrangements apply. Access only by written permission of the Henry Williamson Society. Please note that parts of the collection may be restricted subject to Data Protection legislation.

Deposited on loan by Margaret White, Hon Archivist of the Henry Williamson Society, for a 15 year period from 2006.

Unlisted. One file only.

Description created by Rob Ford, 20 Apr 2007.

Usual EUL restrictions apply. Please note that parts of the collection may be restricted subject to Data Protection legislation.

The Henry Williamson Society Book Collection consisting of all published works of Williamson is also available for reference at Special Collections and is listed in full on the Library's online OPAC.

The following Williamson archive collections are held at Special Collections: EUL MS 43, 71,74, 78, 91, 106, 111, 126, 239, 282, 356 and 374.

Papers relating to Henry Williamson are also held at the following repositories: Dartmouth College Library, USA; Savage Club, London; Reading University Library; King's College London; Royal Society of Literature; and Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies.