Family correspondence, 1922-1977; notes, diaries and material for publications relating to East Africa, [1937-1988]; typescripts of White Man's Country: Lord Delamere and the making of Kenya, etc. (London, Macmillan and Co., 1935), Nellie. letters from Africa. with a memoir by Elspeth Huxley (London, Wiedenfeld and Nicolson, 1980) and Out in the midday sun. my Kenya (London, Chatto&Windus, 1985), [1935-1985]; transcripts of talks and articles, 1937-1981; newspaper and journal cuttings, 1921-1969; pamphlets and journals containing Huxley's articles, 1941-1978; published biographical writings, 20th century.
Papers of Elspeth Huxley [1921-1988]
This material is held atBodleian Library, University of Oxford
- Reference
- GB 161 MSS. Afr. s. 2154
- Dates of Creation
- [1921-1988]
- Language of Material
- English.
- Physical Description
- 28 boxes
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Elspeth Josceline Huxley (1907-1997) took the post of Assistant Press Officer to the Empire Marketing Board, London in 1929. After leaving the Board in 1932 she travelled widely in Africa, America and elsewhere. During this period she published her first book, White Man's Country: Lord Delamere and the making of Kenya, etc. (London, Macmillan and Co., 1935). Since then she has produced a number of novels and factual works with African settings, including The flame trees of Thika. memoirs of an African childhood (London, Chatto and Windus, 1959). She has also contributed a great deal on African affairs to both press and radio. She was a member of the BBC General Advisory Council from 1952 until 1959 when she was appointed U.K. Independent Member of the Advisory Commission for the Review of the Constitution of the Federation of Rhodesia (Monckton Commission).
Access Information
Bodleian reader's ticket required.
Note
Collection level description created by Paul Davidson, Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House.
Other Finding Aids
Listed as no. 919 in Manuscript Collections in Rhodes House Library Oxford, (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1996). A handlist is also available in the library reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
No reproduction or publication of personal papers without permission. Contact the library in the first instance.
Accruals
Further papers were deposited by Elspeth Huxley in November 1989; four additional pamphlets were deposited by Robert Cross on 21st April 1998.