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)
291. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Wednesday, [1958?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Wednesday, [1958?]
- 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. Discusses the painting style of tachisme.
- Subject:
- Artists, Authors, English--Correspondence, Artists--Correspondence, Authors, Women artists, Art historians, Authors, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Poets, Art movements, Poets, English, and Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1958?
- 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 200-203
- Extent:
- 4 pages
- 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 blue 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.
292. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, January 27, [1958?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, January 27, [1958?]
- 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 looks forward to meeting Read in Cambridge.
- Subject:
- Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Artists, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Women artists, Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, Poets, Authors, Art movements, Artists--Correspondence, Authors, English, and Art historians
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1958?-01-27
- 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 182
- 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 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.
293. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Sunday, August 31, [1958?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, Sunday, August 31, [1958?]
- 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 asks Read to write an article of her work for Quadrum, an international modern art magazine.
- Subject:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, Women artists, Poets, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Artists, Authors, English, Art historians, Artists--Correspondence, Poets, Art movements, Authors, and Authors, English--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1958?-08-31
- 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 186-195
- Extent:
- 10 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 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.
294. Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, September 14, [1958?]
- Title:
- Letter from Barbara Hepworth to Herbert Read, September 14, [1958?]
- 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 one's ability to say "no".
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Art movements, Artists--Correspondence, Poets, Women artists, Artists, Art historians, Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Hepworth, Barbara, 1903-1975
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1958?-09-14
- 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 196-199
- Extent:
- 4 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:
- 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.
295. Letter from Adrien De Menasce to Herbert Read, Friday, September 19, 1958
- Title:
- Letter from Adrien De Menasce to Herbert Read, Friday, September 19, 1958
- Description:
- Correspondence between Herbert Read and Adrien de Menasce (Egyptian painter). De Menasce tells Read he enjoyed his lectures and that he is excited that Read may be at his first art exhibition show in Europe.
- Subject:
- Menasce, Adrien de, 1925-1995, Modernism (Art), Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Literature, Modern, Artists, Modernism (Literature), Authors, English, Art, Modern, and Authors
- Creator:
- Menasce, Adrien de, 1925-1995
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1958-09-19
- 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:
- 61/128/1
- Extent:
- 1 page ; 20.8 x 29.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- Switzerland--Zurich
- Coordinates:
- 47.36667, 8.55
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten, signed.
- 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: 10.115
- 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:
- 2021-10-22
- 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.
296. Letter from Adrian Stokes to Herbert Read, February 20, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from Adrian Stokes to Herbert Read, February 20, 1959
- Description:
- Part of a collection of correspondence between Adrian Stokes and Herbert Read spanning from 1934-1962. Stokes was a painter and art critic who also had an interest in psychoanalysis. It was largely due to his efforts and work that the small fishing port of St. Ives became a centre of modernist art culture. In this letter, Stokes discusses Bonamy Dobrée and money issues.
- Subject:
- Stokes, Adrian, 1902-1972, Poets, Anarchists, Art historians, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Painters, Psychoanalysis, Authors, English, Authors, Art critics, and Poets, English
- Creator:
- Stokes, Adrian, 1902-1972
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-02-20
- 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/AS-36-37
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London--Hampstead
- Coordinates:
- 51.55744, -0.18213
- 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:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- File: 9.62
- 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.
297. Letter from Jean Dubuffet to Herbert Read, March 23, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from Jean Dubuffet to Herbert Read, March 23, 1959
- Description:
- Correspondence between Sir Herbert Read and Jean Dubuffet(French painter and sculptor, founder of the art brut movement). Dubuffet discusses his views on art, collective art exhibitions, and artists being paid.
- Subject:
- Anarchists, Art, Modern, Literature, Modern, Authors, English, Philosophers, Modernism (Literature), Authors, English--Correspondence, Art brut, Modernism (Art), Sculptors, Artists--Correspondence, Authors, Dubuffet, Jean, 1901-1985, Art historians, Painters, Artists, and Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Creator:
- Dubuffet, Jean, 1901-1985
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- fre
- Date Created:
- 1959-03-23
- 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
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- France--Paris
- Coordinates:
- 48.85341, 2.3488
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript.
- 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: 8.31
- 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:
- 2022-11-07
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by KD.
298. Letter from J.R. Ackerley to Herbert Read, April 02, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from J.R. Ackerley to Herbert Read, April 02, 1959
- 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 tells Read he has had his final notice to quit the BBC. He is to leave November 3 on his 63rd birthday, a 3-year extension from the official retiring age. His pension is inadequate and he will have to look for a job. Ackerley asks Read to keep him in mind if something comes up.
- Subject:
- Modernism (Literature), Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Editors, Poets, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, English, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, Art historians, and Gay authors
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-04-02
- 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 47-48
- Extent:
- 2 pages ; 12.6 x 20.7 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Broadcasting Corporation
- Coordinates:
- 51.4975, -0.1357
- 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: 8.1
- 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.
299. Letter from Jonathan Griffin to Herbert Read, May 02, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from Jonathan Griffin to Herbert Read, May 02, 1959
- Description:
- One of a pair of letters to Sir Herbert Read from British writer and translator Jonathan Griffin. In this letter Griffin enthusiastically praises a collection of Read's poetry.
- Subject:
- Authors, Art historians, Anarchists, Translators, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, English, Griffin, Jonathan, 1906-1990, Poets, and Poets, English
- Creator:
- Griffin, Jonathan, 1906-1990
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-05-02
- 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:
- 61/77/3-4
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- 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: 10.64
- 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.
300. Letter from F.T. Prince to Herbert Read, May 13th, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from F.T. Prince to Herbert Read, May 13th, 1959
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters between Herbert Read and Frank Templeton Prince (British poet and academic). Prince praises Read's explanation of modernist poetry in an article about a Talk Read gave in "The Listener". Also included is Read's response to Prince's letter thanking him for his positive comments because he had received some negative feedback about his letter. Read also mentions enjoying Prince's work in "The Criterion".
- Subject:
- Modernism (Literature), Authors, English, Read, Herbert, 1893-1968, Authors, Poets, Poets, English, Literature, Modern, and Prince, F. T. (Frank Templeton), 1912-2003
- Creator:
- Prince, F. T. (Frank Templeton), 1912-2003
- Contributor:
- Read, Herbert, 1893-1968
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-05-13
- 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:
- 61/164/1 - 61/164/1.01
- Extent:
- 2 pages ; 20.2 x 26 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Southampton
- Coordinates:
- 50.90395, -1.40428
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript on University of Southampton letterhead.
- 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: 11.1
- 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.