Literary subject files

Scope and Content

This class is comprised of files compiled by Nicholson himself, each of which relates to a specific literary project or work with which he was involved. They do not fit in with the other class divisions in the archive as they are composite in nature: their contents include a mixture of correspondence, typescripts, manuscript notes, and news cuttings. The files reflect a broad range of Nicholson's work and literary activities. Topics covered include: his literary and topographical contributions to various encyclopedias; an article on poetry of the forties contributed to a journal; an obituary he wrote for Laurie Lee; poems for children contributed to anthologies; arrangements with his publishers for his autobiography Wenesday Early Closing and his 1979 revision of Portrait of the Lakes; his poem 'Comet Come', written for Radio 4's Kaleidoscope programme in 1985; and his appearance on the South Bank Show in 1984.

All file titles are Nicholson's own.

Once again, Nicholson's original files often take the form of recycled covers of annual reports from companies like the General Electric Company, Cadbury Schweppes Ltd and Boots. His copy replies are also often written on the reverse of other letters and papers.