Guide to the Dorothy Brett Collection Entire Finding Aids Information, Finding Aids, Northwestern University Library

Descriptive Summary

Collection Title: Dorothy Brett Collection, Span Dates, 1922-1969, Bulk Dates: 1922-1948, 1965-1969
Call number/identifier: Manuscript Series XXVII
Origination: Dorothy Eugenie Brett, 1883-1977
Extent: 1 box, 0.4 linear feet
Languages: Collection is labeled in English.
Repository: Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections

Abstract: Artist Dorothy Brett, a member of the Bloomsbury group, was a friend of Katherine Mansfield, John Middleton Murry, and Frieda and D.H. Lawrence. This collection includes typescripts for her autobiography, a continuation of her memoirs on D.H. Lawrence, and some of her correspondence to John Middleton Murry about the Lawrences. Brett's diaries recounting her visits to Taos, New Mexico (1924), and Capri (1926); a copy of her manuscript on her friendship with Katherine Mansfield; and an interview and correspondence with Leland H. Roloff (1965-1969) are also part of the collection.

Subjects

Brett, Dorothy, 1883-1977
Lawrence, D.H. (David Herbert), 1885-1930
Lawrence, Frieda von Richthofen, 1879-1956
Mansfield, Katherine, 1888-1923
Murry, John Middleton, 1889-1957
Roloff, Leland H.
Manchester, John
Taos, N.M.

Administrative Information

Acquisition History

Most of the materials in the Dorothy Brett Collection were gifts of Northwestern University professor in the School of Speech, Leland H. Roloff, in 1975 and 1981.

The correspondence of Dorothy Brett to John Middleton Murry was acquired by the McCormick Library from David Schulson Autographs in 1987.

Copyright Restrictions

Available for research. Copyright for materials resides with the literary executors of Dorothy Brett and other creators of the materials in this collection.

Preferred Citation

Dorothy Brett Collection, Manuscript Series XXVII, Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections, Northwestern University Library.

Abstract: Artist Dorothy Brett, a member of the Bloomsbury group, was a friend of Katherine Mansfield, John Middleton Murry, and Frieda and D.H. Lawrence. This collection includes typescripts for her autobiography, a continuation of her memoirs on D.H. Lawrence, and some of her correspondence to John Middleton Murry about the Lawrences. Brett's diaries recounting her visits to Taos, New Mexico (1924), and Capri (1926); a copy of her manuscript on her friendship with Katherine Mansfield; and an interview and correspondence with Leland H. Roloff (1965-1969) are also part of the collection.

Biography

Dorothy Eugenie Brett (1883-1977) studied at the Slade School of Art and University College in London. She became friends with Dora Carrington, Katherine Mansfield, John Middleton Murry, Frieda and D.H.Lawrence and other members of the Bloomsbury circle. She documented her friendship with Lawrence in Lawrence and Brett: A Friendship.New York, 1933. Brett visited New Mexico with Frieda and D.H. Lawrence in 1924, and moved to Taos permanently by 1926. She changed her artistic focus to the Native American Pueblo culture, painting landscapes and portraits with their cultural themes. Her efforts helped create an artistic community in Taos.

Arrangement

The Brett Collection is grouped according to type of material, with each correspondence series organized chronologically. Brett's letters to John Middleton Murry (1922-1948) and Leland H. Roloff (1965-1969) are in separate folders. The diaries and typescripts are each in separate folders.

Scope and Content note

The correspondence, diaries and typescripts in this collection were written by Dorothy Brett between 1922 and 1969. They reflect Brett's artistic focus, especially her fascination with Native American Pueblo culture which began on a visit to Taos, New Mexico in 1924. The materials fall into two chronological periods: those written from 1922-1948 which include her Bloomsbury friendships, and the written dialogue with Leland H. Roloff from 1965-1969 for the publication of her autobiography for which he prepared a foreword.

Correspondence to John Middleton Murry between 1922-1948 includes discussions about Katherine Mansfield, Frieda and D.H. Lawrence, painting, and life in New Mexico.The correspondence and interviews between 1965-1969 with Leland H. Roloff as part of the process for the publication of her autobiography included such topics as painting, Brett's deafness, and various reminiscences. Roloff's foreword to Brett's biography and his interview with Brett and John Manchester are also part of the collection.

Typescripts in the collection often have corrections in Brett's hand. Included are Brett's "America," "To the White Rose: My Strange and Beautiful Journey," (2 versions), "Christmas Morning," selections from her notebook, and an untitled memoir. Roloff's foreword to Brett's biography and his interview with Brett and John Manchester are also part of the collection.

Photocopies of various photographs, information about the Brett family in England, and a photocopy of Carrington's "The Tale and Doings of the Most Wonderous and Valiant Brett" were also part of Leland H. Roloff's gift.

Description of Contents

Title: Correspondence of Dorothy Brett to John Middleton Murry, 1922-1948. (13 letters; 28pp.) [ Folder 1 ]

Note: Topics of letters include life in New Mexico, painting, health, war in Europe, and relationships with Katherine Mansfield, Frieda and D.H. Lawrence, and John Middleton Murry. Dates and contents of some notable letters are listed below. 28 May 1923 D.H. Lawrence and Katherine Mansfield. 1 Sept. 1934 Frieda Lawrence and John Middleton Murry. 16 Feb. 1938 Car accident; religion and Dr. Emmet Fox. 10 June 1946 Life in New Mexico and painting. 15 Oct. 1946 Hot springs and painting. 10 Sept. 1948 Living, aging, and painting.

Photocopy of letter from John Middleton Murry to Dorothy Brett discussing art, n.d.; 2pp. [ Folder 2 ]

Title: Correspondence of Dorothy Brett to Leland H. Roloff, 1965-1969. (17 letters; 33pp.) [ Folder 3 ]

Note: Topics of letters include Brett's biography, painting, her deafness, and D.H. Lawrence and other friends. Dates and contents of some notable letters are listed below. 26 Mar. 1965 D.H. Lawrence's play, "David." 16 Sept. 1966 Brett's deafness. 22 Sept. 1967 Brett's biography. 9 Jan. 1968 Brett's past, D.H. Lawrence, painting. 23 Jan. 1968 Brett's reminiscences of various friends. 15 Nov. 1968 Painting, Brett's biography which Roloff edited. 20 Feb. 1969 Return of old version of biography requested.

Diary. May 5-August 27, 1924. (99pp.) Recorded during Brett's visit to Taos with Frieda and D.H. Lawrence. [ Folder 4 ]

Diary. January 8-June 22, 1926. (30pp.) Recorded during visit to Capri. Includes personal notes, descriptions of dreams, quotations from reading, and two pencil sketches. [ Folder 4 ]

Dorothy Brett, "Katherine Mansfield and Myself." January 9, 1923-March 2, 1924. (62pp.) [ Folder 5 ]

Note: Photocopy of manuscript diary kept by Brett.

Dorothy Brett, [Autobiography.] n.d. pp.1-225. [ Folder 6-7 ]

Note: Also includes a revised introduction based on transcriptions of taped interviews with Brett by Roloff (25pp.).

Dorothy Brett, "America." n.d. (93pp.) Typescript with corrections in Brett's hand. [ Folder 8 ]

Note: This is essentially a continuation of Brett's memoirs begun as Lawrence and Brett: A Friendship. London, 1933.

Carrington, "The Tale and Doings of the Most Wonderous and Valiant Brett." (12pp.) Photocopy. Verse with illustrations. [ Folder 9 ]

Miscellaneous. [ Folder 10 ]

Photocopies of photographs (3pp.) Entries from "Burke's Peerage" for the Brett family with a note to Dorothy Brett requesting information from her biography for the 1963 edition.

Transcription of interview with Brett in Taos, New Mexico. January 6, 1968. (10pp.) Numerous corrections and two inserts. [ Folder 11 ]

Note: Interview conducted by Leland H. Roloff with Dorothy Brett and John Manchester participating in a discussion of family life.

Dorothy Brett, "Notebook of Jottings." (2pp. selection) [ Folder 11 ]

Dorothy E. Brett, "To the White Rose: My Strange and Beautiful Journey." (5pp.) Typescript of title-page and forward only; with carbon copy. [ Folder 12 ]

Dorothy E. Brett, "My Strange and Beautiful Journey." (4pp.) Typescript of titlepage, note, and contents list only; with carbon copy. [ Folder 12 ]

Leland H. Roloff, [Forward to Brett's autobiography.] (4pp.) with corrections. [ Folder 13 ]

Dorothy Brett, "Christmas Morning." [memoirs] December 25, 1967. (2pp.) With corrections. [ Folder 13 ]

Untitled typescript of memoirs of Brett's life in Taos and with John Manchester written by Brett. (10pp.) with corrections. [ Folder 13 ]