John Cowper Powys letters to W. Disspain

Two letters, 1955, from John Cowper Powys and one, 1962, written on his behalf by Frederick Davies, to W. Disspain of Kingston-on-Thames, tipped in a copy of the writer's The Art of Happiness (London, 1935), inscribed by him for Mr Disspain.
The inscription, dated 9 February 1955, on the fly leaf, consists of a seven line quotation, in Greek with English translation, from the Iliad. A notice of Powys' death from The Times, 18 [recte 19] June 1963, is pasted onto the same leaf.

John Cowper Powys, novelist and playwright, was born in Shirley, Derbyshire. A Cambridge history graduate, Cowper Powys nevertheless devoted his time primarily to literature. He taught and lectured in England and on the Continent and undertook several lecturing tours of the United States, where he soon gained a reputation as an inspired and interpretative speaker in both literature and philosophy. Cowper Powys moved to Wales in 1935 and learnt to read Welsh, through which he broadened his knowledge of Welsh history and mythology. His numerous works include anthologies of poetry, novels and philosophical discussions. Cowper Powys met Phyllis Playter whilst in the United States in 1921; she became his lifelong companion, exerting a powerful and inspiring influence upon his work.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions noted on the 'Modern papers - data protection' form issued with their Readers' Tickets.

Joan Stevens (bookseller); Yoxford, Suffolk; Purchase; February 1998; B1998/7.

John Cowper Powys, novelist and playwright, was born in Shirley, Derbyshire. A Cambridge history graduate, Cowper Powys nevertheless devoted his time primarily to literature. He taught and lectured in England and on the Continent and undertook several lecturing tours of the United States, where he soon gained a reputation as an inspired and interpretative speaker in both literature and philosophy. Cowper Powys moved to Wales in 1935 and learnt to read Welsh, through which he broadened his knowledge of Welsh history and mythology. His numerous works include anthologies of poetry, novels and philosophical discussions. Cowper Powys met Phyllis Playter whilst in the United States in 1921; she became his lifelong companion, exerting a powerful and inspiring influence upon his work.

Title based on contents.

Preferred citation: NLW MS 23708B.

May 2009

Description revised by Rhys Morgan Jones.

Usual copyright laws apply. Information regarding the ownership of John Cowper Powys copyright can be found at http://tyler.hrc.utexas.edu/ (viewed May 2009).

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales