Philip Larkin correspondence, 1952-1977

Collection

Identifier: 1988-008

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Consists of letters, postcards, and notes exchanged between Philip Larkin and Patricia "Patsy" Avis (Strang Murphy) during her marriage to Colin Strang and later to Richard Murphy. 129 pieces are Larkin writing to Murphy, 62 pieces Murphy to Larkin. Included in the correspondence is a telegram and letter from Emily Murphy (Patricia and Richard's daughter) to Philip Larkin after Patricia Murphy's death in 1977. The final folders of the collection contain miscellaneous items, including three photographs of Larkin, three Larkin poems in typescript, and cigarette tins that once served to store some of the Larkin/Murphy letters.

Accompanying the letters is a large group of photocopies representing Larkin's letters to editor Anthony Thwaite, dated 1958-1988. Thwaite has given the original letters to the Larkin collection at Hull University Library, and he has provided these photocopies with the understanding that further copies will not be made from them without the written permission of Hull University Library authorities.

Dates

Creation: 1952 - 1977

Language

These materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research use by any registered reader. This material is housed off-site and will require advance notice of 1 business day for use.

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 Unpublished manuscripts are under copyright.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.