Wells, Herbert George: correspondence, [1894-1967]

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0096 AL368
Held at	: Senate House Library, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.senatehouselibrary.ac.uk/our-collections ›
Full title	: Wells, Herbert George: correspondence, [1894-1967]
Date(s)	: [1894-1967]
Level of description	: fonds
Extent	: 7 items
Name of creator(s)	: Wells | Herbert George | 1866-1946 | author x Wells | H G

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Herbet George Wells was born in Bromley, Kent, and educated locally. From the age of 13 he worked unsuccesfully as a draper's assistant and chemist's assistant, before beoming a pupil teacher Midhurst Grammar School. In 1884 he began studying under Thomas Huxley at the Normal School (later the Royal College) of Science in South Kensington, but left without a degree; he finally gained a University of London BSc in 1890. Wells became a teacher and freelance journalist before branching out into novels and short stories. He was married twice and had several other ongoing liaisons with women, including the writer Rebecca West (afterwards Dame Cicily Andrews). Today he is best known for his science fiction works, including The Time Machine (1895) and The War of the Worlds (1898); during his lifetime he was also known as a non-fiction writer and a committed socialist.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

(i) 5 letters from Herbert George Wells to Stephen and Nell Hunter, [1894-1910]. Topics covered include illustrations and Isabel Wells, Wells's first wife. All items are autograph and 4 are signed; the signature from one has been cut away. (ii) Letter from Jack Stephen to Professor George Philip Wells (son of H G Wells) of the Department of Zoology, University of London, 19 Mar 1967. Forwarding H G Wells's correspondence. Typescript, with signature. (iii) Letter from H G Wells to [D T] Richnell of University of London Library, 4 Nov 1967. Forwarding the above letters as a gift to the library. Autograph, with signature.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

See hard copy catalogue.

Conditions governing access:

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to individual items in Senate House Library archives collections may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details. 24 hours notice is required for research visits.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Finding aids:

Typescript catalogue available in the Library's Palaeography Room.

Archival Information

Archival history:

See archivist

Immediate source of acquisition:

Gift from Professor G P Wells, 1967.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Anya Turner.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
July 2008