Arthur William Symons papers

Collection

Identifier: D.27

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

Arthur William Symons (1865-1945), poet, translator, critic and editor, was born at Milford Haven, Cornwall, the son of a Wesleyan Methodist minister. He was educated in various schools in Devonshire until the age of sixteen. His first critical work, An Introduction to the Works of Browning, was published in 1886, and his first book of poems, Days and Nights, was issued in 1889. From this point until his health broke down in 1908, Symons produced a work of poetry, criticism or translation almost every year, as well as contributions to the Athenaeum, the Saturday Review, and the Fortnightly Review. He was in touch with contemporary literary and artistic developments in both England and France during the 1890's and knew W.B. Yeats, Aubrey Beardsley, Paul Verlaine, and Stephane Mallarme. After his breakdown in 1908, Symons suffered a period of mental illness which lasted for two years, and from which he gradually recovered. He continued to write, and his output between 1919-1930 almost matched his first period in quantity. Symons was married in 1901 to Rhoda Bowser, who died in 1936.

Scope and Contents

The Arthur William Symons Papers are comprised of one box containing typed manuscripts with handwritten corrections of the play Tristan and Iseult, published 1917, and the typed manuscript of the book of poetry A Book of Twenty Songs, published 1905, as well as one letter from Arthur William Symons to Mr. Parker, 1887.

Creator

Dates

Creation: 1887-1917

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Arthur William Symons 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

The collection was the gift of Robert F. Metzdorf, January 30, 1969. Typed manuscript of A Book of Twenty Songs, 1905, and letter from Arthur Williams Symons to Mr. Parker purchased from Murray, March 27 1973, Wilson Fund

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Arthur William Symons Papers, D.27, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester