Philip Larkin Papers

1.) 12 manuscript letters and greetings cards sent by Philip Larkin to Charles Monteith, his friend and publisher. Monteith became a director of Faber & Faber in 1954, and brought Larkin to the publishing house. He was a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and became the director of the Poetry Book Society in 1966. He was also a member of the Literature Panel of the Arts Council in 1974 and a member of the Library Advisory Council for England in 1979.

2.) Letters and minutes concerning Larkin’s literary estate – sent to Monteith.

Larkin, Philip Arthur (1922-1985), English poet, writer and Librarian at the Brynmor Jones Library, the University of Hull, between 1955 and his death. Came to prominence in 1955 with 'The Less Deceived', his second collection of poetry. Published 'High Windows', his last volume of poetry, in 1974. Contributed to the 'Daily Telegraph' as a jazz critic between 1961 and 1971, and edited 'The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse' in 1973. Awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. Offered, but declined, position of Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1984, following the death of Sir John Betjeman.

To view please contact St John's College Library ( library@sjc.ox.ac.uk) to arrange an appointment.