Herbert Read Collection
User Collection Public
Sir Herbert Edward Read (1893-1968) was a poet, art historian, anarchist, literary critic, philosopher, prolific author, and champion of modern artists in Britain.
This collection consists of his correspondence with many important and influential individuals including Barbara Hepworth, T. S. Eliot, George Orwell among many others.
For more information and a complete list of correspondents, please visit the Special Collections fonds: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/07631c3d-47fa-4d81-893c-4c72e8feb6ed
Collection Details
- Items 383
- Last Updated 2025-08-05
Parent Collections (2)
Subcollections (1)
There are no visible subcollections.
Works (382)
151. Letter from H. G. Wells to Herbert Read, July 13, 1943
- Title:
- Letter from H. G. Wells to Herbert Read, July 13, 1943
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence to Herbert Read from English writer H. G. Wells. Wells is most well known for his science fiction novels, but he also wrote biographies, history, social and political commentaries, and satire. In this letter, Wells compliments Read's "Politics of the Unpolitical" and expresses a wish to have a correspondence. He writes out a list of the items that he is sending with his letter (items not part of the collection), and in closing states that he feels he and Read are like-minded with regards to "great revolutionary projects".
- Subject:
- Novelists, Novelists, English, Authors, Authors, English, Poets, Poets, English, Anarchists, Satirists, Art historians, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946, and Satirists, English
- Creator:
- Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1943-07-13
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/HGW-6-7
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London--Regent's Park
- Coordinates:
- 51.53077, -0.14255
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typewritten.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 9.87
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022/2023
- Technical Note:
- Scanning and metadata by Rowan O'Brian and additional metadata by SC.
152. Letter from H. G. Wells to Herbert Read, July 30, 1943
- Title:
- Letter from H. G. Wells to Herbert Read, July 30, 1943
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence to Herbert Read from English writer H. G. Wells. Wells is most well known for his science fiction novels, but he also wrote biographies, history, social and political commentaries, and satire. In this letter, Wells explains a situation between him and Henry James, then responds for Read's comments on the "Rights of Man".
- Subject:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Novelists, Authors, English, Satirists, English, Art historians, Poets, Novelists, English, Authors, Poets, English, Satirists, Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946, and Anarchists
- Creator:
- Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1943-07-30
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/HGW-8-9
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London--Regent's Park
- Coordinates:
- 51.53077, -0.14255
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typewritten.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 9.87
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022/2023
- Technical Note:
- Scanning and metadata by Rowan O'Brian and additional metadata by SC.
153. Letter from H. G. Wells to Herbert Read, August 31, 1943
- Title:
- Letter from H. G. Wells to Herbert Read, August 31, 1943
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence to Herbert Read from English writer H. G. Wells. Wells is most well known for his science fiction novels, but he also wrote biographies, history, social and political commentaries, and satire. With this short note, Wells sends a revised copy of "The Natural Rights of Man" (not included in the collection).
- Subject:
- Poets, Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946, Novelists, Satirists, English, Novelists, English, Art historians, Authors, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, Poets, English, Anarchists, and Satirists
- Creator:
- Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1943-08-31
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/HGW-11
- Extent:
- 1 page
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London--Regent's Park
- Coordinates:
- 51.53077, -0.14255
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typewritten.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 9.87
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022/2023
- Technical Note:
- Scanning and metadata by Rowan O'Brian and additional metadata by SC.
154. Letter from Paul Nash to Herbert Read, [December, 1943?]
- Title:
- Letter from Paul Nash to Herbert Read, [December, 1943?]
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence between Herbert Read and Paul Nash (British surrealist painter, printmaker, war artist, and older brother to Paul Nash).
- Subject:
- Authors, Modernism (Art), Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Literature, Modern, and Artists
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1943-12?
- Rights Statement:
- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/PN 12-19
- Extent:
- 8 pages ; 13.5 x 17.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford
- Coordinates:
- 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten, pencil, signed.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 9.28
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-10-21
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 10000XL at 600 DPI TIFF, images cropped & resized for Vault to be under 35MB by PD. Metadata by KD.
155. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Sunday [1944?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Sunday [1944?]
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to Sir Herbert Read from Dame Barbara Hepworth (English artist and sculptor and, along with Read, a member of the modern art movement Unit One founded by Paul Nash), that span the time period of 1940 to 1965 and discuss their artistic and literary endeavors, philosophical and political views, and personal lives. Hepworth comments on Henry Treece's book about Read.
- Subject:
- Poets, Artists, Art historians, Authors, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, English, Poets, English, Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, Art movements, Women artists, Authors, English--Correspondence, and Artists--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944?
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Writings by Barbara Hepworth © Bowness. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/BH 71-73
- Extent:
- 3 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--St. Ives (Cornwall) and England--Cornwall (County)
- Coordinates:
- 50.20861, -5.4875 and 50.40303, -4.83416
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 8.61
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-06-15
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by SC.
156. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Sunday [1944?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Sunday [1944?]
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to Sir Herbert Read from Dame Barbara Hepworth (English artist and sculptor and, along with Read, a member of the modern art movement Unit One founded by Paul Nash), that span the time period of 1940 to 1965 and discuss their artistic and literary endeavors, philosophical and political views, and personal lives. Hepworth updates Read on her children Sarah and Paul.
- Subject:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Art historians, Art movements, Artists, Artists--Correspondence, Women artists, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, Poets, English, and Poets
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944?
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Writings by Barbara Hepworth © Bowness. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/BH 83-87
- Extent:
- 5 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--St. Ives (Cornwall) and England--Cornwall (County)
- Coordinates:
- 50.40303, -4.83416 and 50.20861, -5.4875
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 8.61
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-06-15
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by SC.
157. Letter from Clare Sheridan to Herbert Read, February 2nd, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Clare Sheridan to Herbert Read, February 2nd, 1944
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters between Sir Herbert Read and Clare Consuelo Sheridan (English scupltor, journalist and writer, known for creating busts of famous individuals, and cousin of Winston Churchill). In this letter Sheridan expresses her desire to meet Read and discuss their philosophies and thoughts about the war and talks about how to start a movement to stop it. Also included is the response to this letter from Read. He further discusses the anarchist movement in Britain and his attitude about the war.
- Subject:
- Authors, English, Literature, Modern, Modernism (Literature), Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Peace movements, World War (1939-1945), Anarchism, Authors, and Sheridan, Clare, 1885-1970
- Creator:
- Sheridan, Clare, 1885-1970
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-02-02
- Rights Statement:
- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- 61/195/1-61/195/3 and 61/195/3-01-61/195/3-02
- Extent:
- 5 pages ; 20.2 x 26 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Brede
- Coordinates:
- 50.94509, 0.5971
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typewritten, blue ink, signed.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 11.32
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-10-26
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 10000XL at 600 DPI TIFF, images cropped & resized for Vault to be under 35MB by PD. Metadata by KD.
158. Letter from William Rothenstein to Herbert Read, March 05, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from William Rothenstein to Herbert Read, March 05, 1944
- Description:
- One of a pair of letters to Sir Herbert Read from the English painter, printmaker, and art writer William Rothenstein. In this letter, Rothenstein regrets that he was not asked to contribute to a tribute for Read in an upcoming volume. Rather than have Read believe it was because he was indifferent, Rothenstein writes that both he and his son Michael are fond of Read's work and discuss it between themselves often.
- Subject:
- Artists, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Poets, English, Painters, Art historians, Art critics, Anarchists, Printmakers, Authors, English, Authors, Poets, and Rothenstein, William, 1872-1945
- Creator:
- Rothenstein, William, 1872-1945
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-03-05
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/WR-3
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Stroud
- Coordinates:
- 51.75, -2.2
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 9.46
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022/2023
- Technical Note:
- Scanning and metadata by Rowan O'Brian and additional metadata by SC.
159. Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, March 30, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, March 30, 1944
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence between Sir Herbert Read and British poet Lilian Bowes Lyon. In addition to writing, Bowes Lyon was heavily involved in volunteer work in both World Wars. She also lived with Buerger’s Disease, which required her to have multiple amputations, and lead to her early death in 1949. In this letter Bowes Lyon explains the lack of response to the publication of her book "Evening in Stepney", and asks if Read might write a review of it for a periodical. She also explains some of her thought process behind the title poem of the book. At the end of the letter she expresses her fear of the raids occurring.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Art historians, Poets, Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949, Poetry, Authors, Anarchists, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-03-30
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/LBL-9-10
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 8.8
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022/2023
- Technical Note:
- Scanning and metadata by Rowan O'Brian and additional metadata by SC.
160. Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, April 05, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, April 05, 1944
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence between Sir Herbert Read and British poet Lilian Bowes Lyon. In addition to writing, Bowes Lyon was heavily involved in volunteer work in both World Wars. She also lived with Buerger’s Disease, which required her to have multiple amputations, and lead to her early death in 1949. In this letter Bowes Lyon thoroughly praises Read's book of poems "A World Within a War". She thanks him for his letter and its compliments on her poems. In personal news she explains the decline in the volunteer movement and also her own helpfulness (as she feels) due to diabetes, but also expresses how inspiring she finds children's natural optimism.
- Subject:
- Poetry, Poets, Authors, English, Authors, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Poets, English, Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949, Art historians, and Anarchists
- Creator:
- Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-04-05
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- HR/LBL-11-12
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Herbert Read Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 8.8
- Fonds Title:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC100
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sir-herbert-edward-read-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022/2023
- Technical Note:
- Scanning and metadata by Rowan O'Brian and additional metadata by SC.