Lewis, Owen

Account written by Owen Lewis, clerk of the Cooperative Society, about his friendship with Thomas Sturge Moore, writer and wood-engraver, [1933-1944].

Thomas Sturge Moore was a poet, art and literature critic, book designer, illustrator, editor, stage-designer and wood engraver. He was born on 4 March 1870 and was educated at The Croydon Art School and Lambeth Art School. Sturge Moore was a prolific poet and his subjects included morality, art and the spirit. His first pamphlet, Two Poems, was printed privately in 1893 and his first book of verse, The Vinedresser, was published in 1899. His love for poetry lead him to become an active member of the Poetry Recital Society. His first (of 31) plays to be produced was Aphrodite against Artemis (1906), staged by the Literary Theatre Club of which he became a member in 1908. He received a civil list pension in 1920 in recognition for his contribution to literature and in 1930 he was nominated as one of seven candidates for the position of Poet Laureate. He died on 18 July 1944.

Single item.

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Bought from John Hart in 1994.

Collection level description.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Further material relating to Sturge Moore may be found at the British Library, London; Reading University Library; Cambridge University Library; the Royal Society of Literature; and Trinity College Library, Cambridge University.

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.

The University of London Library has further material relating to Thomas Sturge Moore at MS 978.