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D. H. Lawrence Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-94-BC

Scope and Content

The D.H. Lawrence collection contains 26 typescripts (usually carbon copies), and 5 galley proofs. Some of the typescripts have minor alterations in ink. Most of them appear to come from Lawrence's English agent, Curtis Brown as some bear his label and are stamped, "Must Await American Release Date." Included are 16 essays, 5 short stories, 2 poems, a play, 5 introductions, book reviews, 2 miscellaneous items associated with Lawrence, as well as correspondence. Also included in the collection are 4 documents concerning the death and transport of the remains of D.H. Lawrence to New Mexico. A guest book from the D.H. Lawrence Ranch, July 1937-June, 1963, contains the signatures of Georgia O'Keeffe, T.M. (Matt) Pearce, Robinson Jeffers, Peggy Pond Church, Dorothy Brett, and Edward Weston to name but a few.

Dates

  • 1920-1963 ( bulk 1923-1934 )

Creator

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

Collection is located in HS.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography

David Herbert Richards Lawrence (D. H. Lawrence) was born at Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England on September 11, 1885 to Lydia Lawrence (n?e Beardsall), a school teacher, and Arthur Lawrence, a miner. D. H. Lawrence won a scholarship to the Nottingham Boys' High School (1898) and by 1902 had become an uncertified teacher. In 1906 he began a two year teacher-training course at University College, Nottingham and in 1907 began writing The White Peacock. By 1910, The White Peacock was published and Lawrence had begun work on Sons and Lovers; shortly after, he gave up teaching.

In 1912, Lawrence met Frieda Weekley, wife of a professor of French at the University College (Frieda was the second daughter of Baron Friedrich von Richthofen), and eloped with her the same year although she did not get a divorce from her husband and marry Lawrence until July 13, 1914. During this period, Lawrence wrote and had published several novels and works of poetry. Frieda and Lawrence spent much of their time in Italy. In 1920, Lawrence had a private edition of Women in Love published in New York, though he had finished the work in 1916.

Lawrence and Frieda traveled the world, from England to Sicily to Ceylon and Australia. In 1922, they traveled to Taos, New Mexico and the Kiowa Ranch, their first home in America. The impetus for coming to Taos was his lengthy correspondence with Mabel Dodge Luhan who gave the Kiowa Ranch to the Lawrences. Because Lawrence had refused to accept such a valuable gift, Luhan gave the ranch to Frieda. Lawrence later insisted on giving Mabel his original manuscript for Sons and Lovers as payment. During his time in Taos, Lawrence worked on The Woman Who Rode Away and Other Stories; Mornings in Mexico (many of which are in New Mexico); and The Plumed Serpent.

From 1923-1925, Lawrence divided his time between Mexico, New Mexico, and trips to Europe. During his time in New Mexico, Lawrence was involved in the swirl of the Taos art colony, and with his English compatriot, Dorothy Brett. The Plumed Serpent was published in 1927 and Lawrence finished work on and published Lady Chatterley's Lover in 1928. An exhibition of Lawrence's paintings held in London in 1929 was raided by police. D.H. Lawrence died in France, March 2, 1930. Frieda Lawrence returned to New Mexico in 1933, and in 1935 D.H. Lawrence's ashes were brought to the Kiowa Ranch where a small chapel was built to receive them.

Extent

2 boxes (.71 cu. ft.)

Related Archival Material

Dorothy E. Brett Papers. Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. T. M. Pearce Papers. Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. Frieda Lawrence Papers. Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. D. H. Lawrence Realia. Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. D. H. Lawrence Festival Records. Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. D.H. Lawrence Letter and Photograph to George Conway.Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico Ernest Warnock Tedlock Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Collection of Papers on Frieda Lawrence Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Eleanor Murray Watkins Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Porter-Harvey Family Papers Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico

Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to D. H. Lawrence Photograph Collection.

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Draper, Ronald P., D. H. Lawrence. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1964.
Title
Finding Aid of the D. H. Lawrence Papers, 1920-1963 ( bulk 1923-1934 )
Status
Completed
Author
Described by D. Trujillo
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 94 BC:: D. H. Lawrence Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss94bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451