Group papers

Files relating to the writing groups which Phillip Hobsbaum established while working in London, Belfast and Glasgow, being the most comprehensive collection of Group Papers held anywhere. The collection is made up of Hobsbaum’s 'master files' of ‘Group sheets’ which were typed out, copied and distributed to members prior to each meeting. Those attending the Group meetings, where the work would be frankly critiqued, included such noted poets and writers as Martin Bell, Alasdair Gray, Seamus Heaney, James Kelman, Tom Leonard and Peter Redgrove.
In the London Group papers what makes this collection distinctive is the fact that it also contains a selection of worksheets that have been annotated by Hobsbaum ‘chosen and read by…’. This illustrates how the second part of the Group’s meeting functioned, where everyone read out a text they had brought along with them. ‘Often it was a new poem they had seen somewhere or an old one they had rediscovered, or an unfamiliar piece they felt moved to bring to our attention.’
In addition to containing work not held elsewhere, the Belfast Group papers are distinguished by the inclusion of both manuscript and original typescript items. These were forwarded to Hobsbaum, sometimes with an accompanying note or letter, before being re-typed and distributed. There is also submitted work that was not typed up and distributed, suggesting that Hobsbaum also played an editorial role within the Group. His role of facilitator is further evidenced in lists of names and addresses, which having been annotated over time document the shifting membership.
Finally, no other institution is known to have a collection of the Glasgow Group papers, making this one unique. Demonstrating process within the Glasgow papers is the pro-forma invitation in triplicate, and completed questionnaires from a survey undertaken by Hobsbaum into the future of the group.

Access to records within this file may be restricted in accordance with data protection legislation as they may contain information about potentially living individuals. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

See also University of Glasgow Collections

There is likely to be related material in MS Hobsbaum B: Writers (cataloguing in progress)