Stephen Spender letters, 1973-1975

Collection

Identifier: MS213

Staff Only
No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

Folders 1-3 contain correspondence from Stephen Spender to Steve Sewall. Materials include handwritten letters, postcards, envelopes, and a photograph. Correspondence take place from 1973 to 1975 and includes emotionally charged writings from Spender about Sewall—recollections of their time together, wishes to meet in person, invitations to dinner, apologies for outbursts and miscommunications, and deep philosophical discussion such as the difference between affection and passion. Notably, one letter includes an original poem from Spender in which he concludes with the words “I love you.” Spender additionally writes on his movements, from the University of London to the University of Connecticut, trips to Corfu and Venice (with a photo of Spender and his son), and later to the Drake hotel in Chicago. While Spender never mentions a wife, he does refer to someone named Olympia with relation to Sewall. Interestingly, one letter has backwards (reflected) handwriting, and another a passage in Greek.

Folder 4 contains a typed letter from 1975 from one Tom (no last name given) to Sewall; about his time in Alaska and the friendship he strikes up with a local boy. A brief note about Spender is handwritten on the back.

Folder 5 and 6 contains materials from 1971 and 1995: a newspaper clipping about the death of Stephen Spender and a meeting agenda for the Department of English at University College London.

Dates

1971-2018 [1973-1975]

Creator

Spender, Stephen, 1909-1995 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Stephen Spender (1909-1995) was an English poet, novelist, and essayist. He is best known for his poetry and his novel The Temple, a semi-autobiographical work that took many years to publish due to its depictions of homosexuality. His work as a whole concentrated on themes of social injustice and the class struggle. Spender’s sexuality is a debated topic, in 1933 Spender had a relationship with Tony Hyndman, who he lived with from 1935-1936. However, in 1941 he married Natasha Litvin, who he remained with until his death and had two children with: Elizabeth and Matthew.

Spender first encountered Stephen Sewall when they were both professors in Northwestern University’s English department. After meeting in 1973, they corresponded through 1975, although Sewall claims they never met in person after Spender departed Northwestern in June of 1973. In that time, Spender introduced Sewall to Erich Heller, a British author also teaching at the University.

Extent

1 box (0.2 LF ; 1 half AB)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the correspondence of Stephen Spender (1909-1995) to Steve Sewall primarily from 1973 to 1975. Included are 20 letters, both handwritten and typed, postcards, envelopes, an unpublished poem and a photograph that detail Spender’s musing, movements, and feelings at the time of writing. Most notably, Spender details his relationship and friendship with Sewall, and the insecurities, desires, and emotions that accompany it.