Papers relating to Norman Nicholson's death, estate and literary legacy

  • Reference
    • GB 133 DCN/6
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1987-2005
  • Physical Description
    • 3 subseries; 37 items

Scope and Content

This series consists of correspondence and papers which largely post-date NCN's death. They include material relating to his death in May 1987 (including numerous letters to Doreen Cornthwaite from friends and acquaintances written in response to hearing the news), his funeral on 5 June 1987 at St George's Church in Millom, and his memorial service at Carlisle Cathedral on 13 September. There is also some official correspondence relating to NCN's estate, including the bequest of his books to the John Rylands University Library, and the subsequent deposit of his archive with the same institution. Further correspondence and papers relate to NCN's literary legacy and posthumous reputation as a writer, including posthumous publications of his work, tributes and memorials to him, and research interest in his work. Correspondents represented among these papers include the poet Matt Simpson and the writer Alan Hankinson, as well as a copy letter from Craig Raine. Numerous friends and acquaintances of NCN are also represented, including Rosemary and Eric Joyce, Peggy Troll, Bill Rollinson, Bessie Schiff and Ron Barnes.

Arrangement

The material fell into three obvious groupings which are retained here: papers relating to NCN's death, funeral and memorial service; official correspondence relating to his estate; and papers relating to his literary legacy.