James Smith: Literary essays and notes

1. Papers on Shakespeare The largest part of the collection is comprised of versions of chapters prepared for Smith's Shakespearian and other essays, supplemented by a few essays on related topics. Shakespearian and other essays The printers' copy of chapters from Smith's book, 1973, including preliminaries and Edward Wilson's memoir of the author (1 envelope). All's well that end's well The collated version of the chapter on the play prepared for Shakespearian and other essays, c. 1972 (1 folder). A version of the chapter prepared for Smith's book, typed by Edward Wilson, 1972, and including Smith's original draft and earlier rough notes (1 folder). Drafts of an essay on the play, with a lecture in Spanish based on this essay, probably delivered in Santander, 1949 or 1950 (1 folder). Measure for measure Three copies of an undated essay entitled 'A view of Measure for Measure' (1 envelope). The final drafts of the chapter 'Measure for Measure - a fragment' prepared for Shakespearian and other essays, 1972 (1 folder). The merchant of Venice A copy of the chapter on the play in Shakespearian and other essays, emended from another copy by Edward Wilson, and typed for publication by Cambridge University Press, February 1973 (1 folder). A corrected carbon copy of the final version of the chapter used in Smith's book, c. 1972 (1 folder). An uncorrected carbon copy of the chapter on the play, c. 1972 (1 folder). Much ado about nothing Notes and letters regarding the play, c. 1930s-1940s (1 folder). The tempest The corrected copy of the chapter on the play in Shakespearian and other essays, c. 1972 (1 folder). A copy of the chapter, with notes, c. 1972 (1 folder). A copy of sections I-V of the chapter in Shakespearian and other essays, with rough notes, c. 1972 (1 folder). An unannotated carbon copy of sections I-V, c. 1972 (1 folder). An unannotated carbon copy of sections I-V, with several pages missing, c. 1972 (1 folder). Drafts of sections VI-VIII, c. 1972 (1 folder). The winter's tale A copy of the final version of the chapter on the play in Shakespearian and other essays, 1972 (1 folder). Two copies of the draft of the final version of the chapter, 1972 (1 folder). 2. Other papers The remainder of the collection consists of a few items relating to literature, and particularly Anglo-Saxon texts. Essay on Beowulf, c. 1957 (1 folder). The corrected draft, with notes, of an essay entitled 'The dream of the Rood', c. 1972, later published in a revised form in Anglo-Saxon England (1 envelope). A copy of the essay 'The dream of the Rood', 1974 (1 envelope). The text and notes for a lecture delivered at Gregynog to professors and teachers of English in Welsh universities, 1971 (1 ring-binder). The collection is accompanied by correspondence with Cambridge University Library regarding the presentation of the papers to the library, 1972-1976, including descriptive lists.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Deposited on indefinite loan by the executors of James Smith, 1973-1976.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.