Papers of Cyril Walker, illustrator, 1960-1981

The collection comprises:

• Correspondence consisting of two letters to Cyril Walker: one from The New Scientist and one from Imperial College, London, apparently in reply to observations on fossils made by Walker. 1960-1962 (MS 515/2);
• Manuscript notes regarding species of mammal, birds and varieties of wild flowers and plants. The notes are accompanied by pencil sketches. The notes and sketches appear to form the manuscript draft of a book but no evidence of publication has been discovered. Undated c.1961-c.1981 (MS 515/2);
• Manuscript notes regarding buildings and architectural styles, designs of Greek vases and aspects of the human skeleton. Undated c.1961-c.1981 (MS 515/3).

Cyril H. Walker's biography can only be briefly sketched from the evidence of the these papers. His knowledge and enthusiasm as a natural historian is demonstrated in the quality of his illustrations of birds, plants and animals and was equally able to illustrate them. The two letters in the collection, one from The New Scientist and one from Imperial College, London, relate to observations that he made regarding fossils. At the time of this correspondence, Walker was living in Brigg, Lincolnshire and possibly an employee at the British Sugar Corporation. An envelope comprising part of the original packaging of the papers reveals that in 1981 he was living in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire. His subsequently moved to Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

The collection has been divided by document type into two series.

ACCESS: Accessible to all registered readers.

LANGUAGE: English

This description is the only finding aid available for the collection. Copyright in the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

REPROGRAPHIC: Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

COPYRIGHT: Permission to make published use of any material from this collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of the Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk). The Department will try to assist in identifying copyright owners but the responsibility for copyright clearance before publication ultimately rests with the reader.

The collection was acquired by The University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections in September 1989.