Original ms for 'Love, Freedom and Society', by John Middleton Murry, published 1957

The ms of Love, Freedom and Society spans 345pp, in closely written handwriting, covering the entire text of the work.

As well as sections on D. H. Lawrence and Albert Schweitzer, the ms also includes a set of politically based conclusions entitled 'A political epilogue' which was omitted from the final publication. These conclusions were replaced with the chapter 'Christianity and tragedy' which is also present in the ms.

Letter of provenance is also contained within the collection, notes about the ms, and the original folder that used to contain the ms.

Writer and reviewer John Middleton Murry was born in Peckham, London, 6 August 1889. He was educated at Christ's Hospital, and Brasenose College, Oxford. His literary career began in 1911 and his last book was published in 1957. Murry promoted the work of his wife, Katherine Mansfield, after her death in 1923, and his friendship with D. H. Lawrence inspired work on the great novelist.

In the 1920s, Murry's interests shifted from literature to religious philosophy, and in the 1930s he converted to Marxism and then moved politically towards pacifism. His writing of the period reflected these shifts in interest.

John Middleton Murry died 12 March 1957. That year too saw the publication of his Love, Freedom and Society about the thought of his friend D. H. Lawrence. This work was believed by Murry to be his greatest.

Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance of visit.

Acquired October 2015. Accession no: E2015.78.

Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie 9 November 2015

Other relevant material in Edinburgh University Library is: 'Papers of John Middleton Murry', Coll-62; 'Letter from J. Middleton Murry, 10 February 1933', Coll-1470; and, 'Mss and other papers relating to John Middleton Murry and Community Farm', Coll-1584.