Austin Clarke (1896 - 1974) Letters

Biographical Note:

One of the foremost Irish poets of his generation, Austin Clarke (1896 - 1974) was born in Dublin and attended University College.  He made his living as a free-lance author, book reviewer and broadcaster first in London (1922 - 1937) and later in Dublin.  While influenced by Yeats and other Celtic revivalists, Clarke  soon developed his own style of writing.  This style was much influenced by Ireland's early-medieval Christian culture one he thought was eventually spoilt by the introduction of Roman Catholicism into Ireland.

Scope and Content:

The majority of the letters in this collection are between Philip Marcus and Austin Clarke.  The letters discuss Clarke's views on Marcus' writings as well as his insight on medieval Irish literature and the influence of W. B. Yeats on Irish literature.

Provenance:

Purchased in April 1997 from Emerald Isle Books, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  

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Inventory:

TLS, Austin Clarke to Philip Marcus September 5, 1966.   (Heroic period in Irish literature)

TLS, Austin Clarke to Philip Marcus, April 5, 1967. (stylistic devices of mediaeval Irish prose)

TLS, Austin Clarke to Philip Marcus, January 27, 1970.  (praise for Marcus' new work, influence of Larminie)

TLS, Austin Clarke to Philip Marcus, March 24, 1971.  (influence of Yeats' early works on Clarke)

TLS, Austin Clarke to Philip Marcus, August 3, 1971. (Meeting plans with Marcus)

TLS, Austin Clarke to Philip Marcus, October 5, 1971. (Disposition of Clarkke's manuscripts)

TLS, Austin Clarke to Thomas Redshaw, October 15, 1970.  (Invitation to meet with Clarke)

ALS, Austin Clarke to Leslie  ????, nd.

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