Anthony Gishford papers

This collection comprises the personal papers of Anthony Gishford, including his unpublished autobiography and personal diary. There are notebooks and draft writings of his poetry, historical research and short stories covering dates 1932-1968, as well as his short biography on Britten. Also includes a copy of his published book An Indian Journey (Oct-Nov 1958), with his manuscript amendments.

The collection also includes papers from the English Opera Group and Youth and Music. These were accumulated by Gishford in his role as chairman of the Board of Directors of the English Opera Group.

Anthony Gishford, 1908-1975, was the grandson of William Henry Hawkes, founder of one of the two firms forming Boosey and Hawkes Music Publishers. He was educated at Westminster School and Oxford University. After World War II Gishford joined Boosey and Hawkes, serving as director from 1951 until his resignation in 1958. He was a director of the English Opera Group for over 25 years, and chairman of the Board of Directors from 1960 until his death. Gishford was editor of Tempo from 1947 to 1958, and a vice-president of Youth and Music from 1963. In 1965 he became a director of the newly formed music publishing house, Faber Music Ltd. He was awarded the CBE in 1964 in recognition of services to Anglo-American relations.

Open

This material is made available under the standard conditions of the Britten-Pears Foundation. Readers will be required to produce proof of identity and to sign a Reader's Undertaking form.

Catalogued by Emma Blowers, November 2018. Biographical notes compiled by Judith Tydeman, March 2004, based on obituaries.

Placed on loan at Britten-Pears Foundation, then given to the Foundation by Donald Mitchell in 1990.

See BBA/GISHFORD and PPA/GISHFORD for correspondence between Britten, Pears and Anthony Gishford.