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)
161. Letter from J. L. Garvin to Herbert Read, April 10, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from J. L. Garvin to Herbert Read, April 10, 1944
- Description:
- In this letter, journalist, author, and editor J. L. Garvin, credited with reforming Sunday journalism as editor of The Observer newspaper, thanks Herbert Read for sending him a book, and expresses his thoughts on the volume.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Newspaper editors, Anarchists, Art critics, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Art historians, Authors, Authors, English, Poets, Journalists, and Garvin, J. L. (James Louis), 1868-1947
- Creator:
- Garvin, J. L. (James Louis), 1868-1947
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-04-10
- 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:
- 61/67/1-2
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Beaconsfield
- Coordinates:
- 51.61219, -0.64732
- 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: 10.54
- 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.
162. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, May 14 [1944?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, May 14 [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 compares Read's comments on constructive art and the machine and uses sculpture for her examples.
- Subject:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Women artists, Art historians, Authors, English, Artists--Correspondence, Artists, Authors, Poets, English, Art movements, Authors, English--Correspondence, Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, and Poets
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944?-05-14
- 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 74-81
- Extent:
- 8 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 pencil.
- 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.
163. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, May 17, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, May 17, 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 discusses Naum Gabo and two schools; the machine and constructivism.
- Subject:
- Authors, Authors, English, Poets, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Artists--Correspondence, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Artists, Women artists, Art movements, Art historians, and Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-05-17
- 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 82
- Extent:
- 1 page
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Cornwall (County) and England--St. Ives (Cornwall)
- Coordinates:
- 50.20861, -5.4875 and 50.40303, -4.83416
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in pencil.
- 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.
164. Letter from Montgomery Belgion to Herbert Read, August 22, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Montgomery Belgion to Herbert Read, August 22, 1944
- Description:
- One of a pair of letters to Sir Herbert Read from Montgomery Belgion; a journalist, literary critic, and editor, who also fought in both World Wars. In this letter, Belgion apologizes for not having written, and shares the enjoyment that Read's recent book "Education by Art" brought him. Written near the end of his time as a prisoner of war, Belgion gives a brief account of the places he has recently been in Germany, as well as a description of the funeral of an American private. He bemoans the lack of conversation practice he has had while in Germany, and closes with the declaration that he is coming home a misanthrope.
- Subject:
- Editors, Poets, English, Periodical editors, Newspaper editors, Authors, English, Authors, Anarchists, Poets, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Art historians, Belgion, Montgomery, 1892-1973, Book editors, and Journalists
- Creator:
- Belgion, Montgomery, 1892-1973
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-08-22
- 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:
- 61/15/1-2
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- Germany and England--Beaconsfield
- Coordinates:
- 51.5, 10.5 and 51.61219, -0.64732
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in pencil.
- 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: 10.2
- 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.
165. Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, August 29, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, August 29, 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 discusses meeting with a publisher, and daydreams about a future visit of Read's where she would make breakfast with real foods and they would sit in the garden. She also relates recent health problems. In the post-script she says William Plomer is visiting and sends his regards.
- Subject:
- Anarchists, Poets, Authors, Poets, English, Poetry, Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Art historians, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-08-29
- 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-13-14
- 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.
166. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, September 30, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, September 30, 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 discusses Henry Moore's stone sculpture Madonna and Child.
- Subject:
- Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Women artists, Poets, English, Authors, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Artists--Correspondence, Art historians, Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, Art movements, Artists, and Authors
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-09-30
- 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 88-91
- Extent:
- 4 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Cornwall (County) and England--St. Ives (Cornwall)
- 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:
- letters (correspondence) and 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.
167. Letter from J.R. Ackerley to Herbert Read, [November, 1944?]
- Title:
- Letter from J.R. Ackerley to Herbert Read, [November, 1944?]
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to Herbert Read from Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley (writer and literary editor of the BBC's weekly magazine The Listener). Ackerley is pleased and proud to have received Read's new book.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Authors, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Gay authors, Editors, Art historians, Poets, English, and Modernism (Literature)
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-11?
- 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/JA 3-4
- Extent:
- 2 pages ; 12.6 x 20.3 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Broadcasting Corporation
- Coordinates:
- 51.4975, -0.1357
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink. Letterhead from The Listener.
- 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: 8.1
- 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:
- 2021-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 10000XL at 600 DPI TIFF and images cropped & resized for Vault to be under 35MB by PD. Metadata by SC.
168. Postcard from Peggy Guggenheim [to Herbert Read], [between 1945 and 1961]
- Title:
- Postcard from Peggy Guggenheim [to Herbert Read], [between 1945 and 1961]
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters from Peggy Guggenheim to Herbert Read. Guggenheim was an American modern art collector who collected many Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist pieces. In her letters she refers to artists she knows, including Jackson Pollock and Henry Moore. Her intact collection is permanently on display in Venice, Italy. In this postcard, Guggenheim shares the news of the death of a friend.
- Subject:
- Authors, Philosophers, Socialites, Anarchists, Novelists, Novelists, English, Authors, English, Poets, English, Art--Collectors and collecting, and Art historians
- Creator:
- Guggenheim, Peggy, 1898-1979
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1945/1961
- 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:
- 61/80/5
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- Italy--Lake Garda
- Coordinates:
- 45.66739, 10.67867
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Sir Herbert Edward Read collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and postcards
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 10.67
- 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:
- 2022-11-09
169. Letter from E. M. Forster to Herbert Read, February 15, 1945
- Title:
- Letter from E. M. Forster to Herbert Read, February 15, 1945
- Description:
- Correspondence between Herbert Read and E.M. Forster (English author). Forster tells Read he will sign the letter requesting funds for the Freedom Defence Committee and offers some suggestions for edits. Forster mentions he is sending other letters including to the B.B.C. and mentions search warrants.
- Subject:
- Modernism (Literature), Gay authors, Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan), 1879-1970, Authors, English, Literature, Modern, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, and Novelists, English
- Creator:
- Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan), 1879-1970
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1945-02-15
- 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
- Extent:
- 3 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Abinger Hammer
- Coordinates:
- 51.21773, -0.431901
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten, black 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: 7.11
- 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:
- 2022-05-31
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by KD.
170. Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, May 13, 1948
- Title:
- Letter from Lilian Bowes Lyon to Herbert Read, May 13, 1948
- 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 expresses affection for her friendship with Read. She explains that she has written little due to pain, but is moving to the country at the end of the month and looks forward to sitting in a garden.
- Subject:
- Art historians, Anarchists, Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949, Authors, Poets, English, Poetry, Authors, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, and Poets
- Creator:
- Bowes-Lyon, Lilian Helen, 1895-1949
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1945-05-13
- 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/LBL-15-16
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in green 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.