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Edith Nesbit archive, 1880s-2000s

 Collection
Identifier: 2005-002

Scope and Contents

Consists of a mixture of materials that belonged to Edith Nesbit, her biographers (Doris Langley Moore and Julia Briggs), her daughter-in-law Gertrude Bland, and others. Includes correspondence, work product, original manuscripts, artifacts, photographs, clipping albums, oversized artwork, and a wooden writing case.

Dates

  • Creation: 1880 - 2004

Access

This material is open for research use by any registered reader.

Use and Copyright

This material is owned by the University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections. Unpublished manuscripts are under copyright. Therefore, permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from both the repository and the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

Edith Nesbit was a British children's writer. She was born on August 15, 1858 in what is now London. She lived in France, Germany and Spain. Her father died when she was four and her mother eventually settled the family in London. Nesbit met and married Hubert Bland in 1887, and she delivered her first child three months later. They had five children, two of whom were Bland’s with his mistress. She and her husband co-wrote children's books together until she became known for her writings. She was one of the founders of the Fabian Society in 1884 and jointly edited the Society's journal "Today". She was an active writer and lecturer on socialism. She sometimes used pen name Fabian Bland. She was a follower of utopian socialist William Morris. She was involved with George Bernard Shaw. She later married Thomas Terry Tucker after Bland’s death. During her writing career, she wrote over 40 children's novels, story collections and picture books. She is known for inventing the children's adventure novel. She enjoyed great success as a children's writer, being most famous for her works of children's literature which included "The Story of the Treasure-Seekers," "The Wouldbegoods," "Five Children and It," "The Phoenix and the Carpet," "The New Treasurer-Seekers," "The Railway Children," and "The Enchanted Castle." Nesbit also wanted to be taken seriously as a poet. She would produce a book of collected poetry called the "Ballads and Lyrics of Socialism." She died of lung cancer on May 4, 1924 in Romney Marsh, Kent. She is buried at St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, St Mary in the Marsh, Shepway District, Kent.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (16 boxes, 1 oversize box. )

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

Collection shelved on 3rd floor and 5th floor oversize shelves.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase

Title
Edith Nesbit archive, 1880s-2000s
Status
Completed
Author
Renee Harvey; reprocessed and rewritten by Melissa Kunz in 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
McFarlin Library
University of Tulsa
2933 E. 6th St
Tulsa 74104-3123 USA
(918) 631-2496