Graham Greene to Sir James Marjoribanks., 11/12/1985-11/12/1985

File — Box: 1, Folder: 3

Identifier: 42118

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

From the Collection:

This small collection consists of 9 original letters from celebrated British author Graham Greene to Sir James Marjoribanks, KCMG, concerning fundraising and site location for a memorial for Robert Louis Stevenson. An admirer of Stevenson's works, Greene was also the novelist's kinsman through his mother, Marion Raymond, who was Stevenson's cousin. The correspondence refers to the sale of a manuscript that Greene gave to the Robert Louis Stevenson Trust, of which Sir James was a director, in order that any profits could be used for the memorial. This was the manuscript for an essay Greene wrote about a journey he made in 1957 to China, first published in The Times, London, 1985, entitled, 'A Weed Among the Flowers.' The manuscript was subsequently bought by Georgetown University Library, and along with it, the pertinent correspondence between Greene and Sir James. Included are copies of three letters from Sir James to Greene, and a carbon of a letter from Sir James to the editor of the newspaper, 'The Scotsman' concerning the location of the Stevenson memorial.

Abbreviations used include: ALS autograph letter AMs autograph manuscript TL typed letter TLS typed letter signed

Dates

11/12/1985-11/12/1985

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.20 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger Slim Document Case)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Container Summary

Contains TLS, 2 pp., referring to the Robert Louis Stevenson memorial: @ "I think your idea of using a bit of advance publicity in "The Scotsman" an excellent one....I still read with pleasure "Weir of Hermiston," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and "The Master of Ballantrae."...I think it was Stevenson's method of describing action without adjectives or adverbs which taught me a good deal..." @ Refers also to the publication of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, "The Wrong Box": @ "It may interest you to hear that the first proper version of "The Wrong Box" is going to be published soon by The Bodley Head. The proofs were sent to Stevenson in Samoa and I saw them many years ago in Scribner's Second-hand Department in New York. As I remember there was a whole page of manuscript and a great many cuts and changes throughout, but by the time the corrected proofs were received by the publisher in America they had gone ahead and printed the book. This will make the real version of "The Wrong Box" of considerable interest." @ The novel was eventually republished by Nonesuch, 1989, edited with an introduction by Ernest Mehew. This, according to a bibliographic note, is "the authentic text published from Stevenson's manuscript and corrected proofs."

Subjects and Associated Physical Materials

STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS - "THE WRONG BOX" - REFERENCE: Typed Letter Signed

STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS - MEMORIAL - REFERENCE: Typed Letter Signed

GREENE, GRAHAM - RE STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS - REFERENCE: Typed Letter Signed

GREENE, GRAHAM - CORRES. TO MARJORIBANKS, JAMES 3. 11/12/85: Typed Letter Signed

MARJORIBANKS, JAMES - CORRES. FROM GREENE, GRAHAM 3. 11/12/85: Typed Letter Signed