Masefield, John Edward

Manuscript 951 and 952 contain photographs of Masefield, Mrs Ethel Stockdale Ross, theatre productions and HMS Conway (?). B/W and colour photographs and negatives. Manuscript 953 contains watercolours and one ink drawing by Masefield. Manuscript 966 contains a watercolour, The Dalgoner, 1920s. SL V 92-7 are letters and SL V 98 are book tokens inscribed by Masefield. SL V 99 are proofs for Sea Life in Nelson's Time (1971).

Masefield was born in Ledbury in 1878. Having entered the Merchant Navy Masefield deserted ship in America where he drifted for some time. Returning to England he became a journalist and his interest in writing was explored, publishing several volumes of poetry before the outbreak of World War One. During the war Masefield was a member of the Red Cross and witnessed the disaster at Gallipoli, which he later wrote about in his position as head of the War Propaganda Bureau. During the twenties and thirties Masefield wrote numerous volumes of poetry which were most successful, as well as two novels and an autobiography. Masefield continued to write until his death in 1967.

Open but access to some files may be restricted by the Freedom of Information Act. 24 hours notice necessary.

MS 951 was given by Rosina M. Hew (companion to Ethel Stockdale Ross) in 1977.

Collection level description.

Date(s) of descriptions: 2000-04-02 Joseph Gelfer, 2000-06-13, 2002-02-18 Sarah Aitchison.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.