Arnold Bennett papers
Biographical/Historical note
Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) was born at Hanley, Staffordshire, England. His father was successively a potter, a schoolmaster, and a solicitor and pawnbroker. Arnold was educated in the local schools and in his father's office, in preparation for a law decree. At age twenty-one, he went to London, where he abandoned law for journalism. In 1893 he became assistant editor, and in 1396 editor Of tie weekly magazine Woman. He also contributed reviews and critical articles to the Academy. Bennett's first published novel was A Man From the North, 1898, which was followed in 1902 by Anna of the Five Towns and The Grand Babylon Hotel. He moved to Paris in 1902, where his novel The Old Wives' Tale was written in 1908. Bennett also began to write plays, alone, and in collaboration with Edward Knoblock. In 1912 he returned to England, where he lived the rest of his life. He continued to write novels, plays, essays, criticism, short stories and journalism, and enjoyed great critical and financial success. During the First World War, he became a public figure through his service on committees and through propaganda work. After the War, he contributed to the management of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, where revivals of "The Beggar's Opera", "The Way of the World", and "The Importance of Being Ernest" were played. Bennett married Marguerite SouliƩ of Paris in 1907. They were separated in 1921, and the following year he met Miss Dorothy Cheston, an English actress. They lived together until his death in 1931, and had one daughter.
Biographical Information: Dictionary of National Biography, Pound--Arnold Bennett, D. C. Bennett--Arnold Bennett.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of correspondence, the manuscript of the play "Milestones", two manuscripts of essays published in the London Evening Standard, notes for the play "Mr. Prohack", and a binder of clippings about the run of "Milestones". The chief correspondents are Arnold Bennett, Edward Knoblock, and Max Meyerfeld. The Bennett-Knoblock correspondence concerns agreements and rights pertaining to "Milestones", the writing of two other plays, "London Life" and "Mr. Prohack," Knoblock's experiences in Hollywood, and their shared hobby of furniture buying. The Meyerfeld-Knoblock correspondence concerns the translation of "Milestones" into German. All letters are indexed.
Creator
- Bennett, Arnold, 1867-1931 (Person)
- Knoblock, Edward, 1874-1945 (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1909-1931
Language of Materials
English
Extent
1 box(es) (144 pieces)
Access
The Arnold Bennett Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased on various funds, 1948-1951.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Arnold Bennett Papers, D.13, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
Subject
- Bennett, Arnold, 1867-1931 (Person)
- Knoblock, Edward, 1874-1945 (Person)
- Title
- Arnold Bennett papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library