IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 2108 KUAS215
Held at: Kingston University
Title: Murdoch, Iris (1919-1999): Definition of Love written by Iris Murdoch with Accompanying Documents
Date(s): 1969-2017
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 7 items
Name of creator(s): Murdoch | Dame | Jean Iris | 1919-1999 | author
Pappas | George | 1929- | artist
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin, Ireland on 15 Jul 1919. When she was very young Iris and her parents moved to London, England, and Iris studied at Frobel and Badminton Schools. She followed this with studies in classics, ancient history and philosophy at Oxford, and further study at Cambridge. During the war years Iris worked for the Treasury in London, and then joined the UNRRA providing relief in formerly occupied countries in Europe. In 1948 she became a fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford, where she taught and researched philosophy.
Iris Murdoch wrote a number of tracts on philosophy, however it is for her novels that she is best known. She wrote 26 novels in total, her first being 'Under the Net' published in 1954. Other notable works include 'The Bell' and 'The Sea, the Sea', for which she won the Booker Prize. Her last novel, 'Jackson's Dilemma', was published in 1995.
In her youth Iris Murdoch had relationships with a number of individuals, including Elias Canetti. She met author and scholar John Bayley while at Oxford, and they married in 1956. She wrote to a great number of people and maintained friendships in this way.
Later in life Iris Murdoch was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, the first effects of which she had attributed to writer's block. She died in 1999.
George Pappas is an American artist known for his mixed media work. He was formerly a teacher at Florida State University.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Handwritten document by Iris Murdoch giving her thoughts on the definition of Love, written on request for artist George Pappas. With an accompanying letter written by Iris Murdoch dated 15 Jul 1969 agreeing to write a piece for him, plus a postcard, brief biography of and review of an exhibition by George Pappas.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Original order
Conditions governing access:
Available to view by appointment in the Kingston University Archives and Special Collections search room.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Some copying available. Please contact Kingston University Archives and Special Collections for more information.
Physical characteristics:
Definition of love document was previously in a frame. It has been removed for conservation reasons owing to the frame becoming damaged in transit.
Finding aids:
Please see Kingston University Archives and Special Collections online catalogue.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Kindly presented to the Archive by George Pappas.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: December 2017