Jocelyn Brandon papers

Collection

Identifier: D.232

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

Playwright, theatrical producer, and solicitor, Jocelyn Brandon, was born in London, England in 1865. He was educated at Kings College, London, and also attended schools in Friedrichsdorf, Heidelberg and Paris. In 1904 he married Sara Apfel. They had four sons and two daughters. Brandon died May 24, 1948 at the age of 82. Notable events in Brandon's theatrical career were the production of his plays, The Love that Kills (1888), Only a Dream (1888), The Chaperon with Frederic Arthur (1913) and The Favourite of the King with T.S. Boas (1890). His attempts to solicit actors into investing in the Theatrical Trust were also a major part of his connections with the theatrical world. In his legal career, his involvement in the 1919 dispute over the contested will of the wealthy banker Herbert Stern, first baron of Michelham, stands out as one of his most important cases. Other cases relate to financial investments as well as general legal practices.

Scope and Contents

Much of the collection relates to Brandon's theatrical interests. Included in the two boxes of correspondence are letters, mostly social in nature, written between 1883 and 1947 by actors, playwrights, producers, and others involved in the theatre. Some of the more noteworthy correspondents include letters from Herbert Beerbohm Tree (18 letters), George Alexander (10), Arthur Wing Pinero (2), Ellen Terry (2), Clement William Scott (1), Henry Irving (1, signed by him but in Bram Stoker's hand), W.S. Gilbert (1), and Max Pemberton (6). Many of the letters are in regard to the Theatrical Trust, which Brandon administered.

Five boxes contain manuscripts and typescripts of plays written, co-written or translated by Brandon. In addition to the theatrical documents, there are two boxes and five scrapbooks that contain material on Brandon's legal career and the cases that he and his firrm, Brandon and Nicholson, handled. Other items include financial and legal agreements, his marriage settlement to Sara Apfel (July 25, 1904) and several program of the many plays and operas he attended.

Creator

Brandon, Jocelyn (Person)
Tree, Herbert Beerbohm, Sir, 1852-1917 (Person)
Alexander, George, Sir, 1858-1918 (Person)
Pinero, Arthur Wing, 1855-1934 (Person)
Terry, Ellen, Dame, 1847-1928 (Person)
Scott, Clement, 1841-1904 (Person)
Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905 (Person)
Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck ), 1836-1911 (Person)
Pemberton, Max, 1863-1950 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1883-1962

Language of Materials

English

Extent

8 box(es)

Access

The Jocelyn Brandon papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.edu.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Jocelyn Brandon Papers, D.232, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester