Correspondence 1938: Hilaire to Elizabeth., 11/26/1938-11/26/1938

File — Box: 1, Folder: 9

Identifier: 58811

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

From the Collection:

Hilaire Belloc-Elizabeth Belloc Correspondence

This collection contains the correspondence sent by Hilaire Belloc to his daughter Elizabeth over the period 1932-1944. Hilaire was 62 at the start of this correspondence and entering the final stages of his career. He was plagued increasingly with ill-health over the course of this correspondence, and there is frequent reference to his suffering from flus, fatigue, and difficulties with his handwriting. In 1942 he suffered a stroke, from which he would never completely regain his faculties. In his correspondence, the most visible effects of the stroke can be detected in the unsteadiness of his handwriting and in the less lucid expression of his thoughts.

Elizabeth was a young woman in her 30s, who can be described as having inherited the same restless spirit as her father. While Hilaire maintained a schedule of constant travel, his letters were written principally from the family home at King's Land or from his room at the Reform Club in London. The content of this correspondence is highly personal in nature, providing us with some insight into the father-daughter relationship shared between Hilaire and Elizabeth.

Dates

11/26/1938-11/26/1938

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: 0.42 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger Document Case)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Container Summary

Contains ALS, 4 pages/2 sheets. On Reform Club [London] letterhead. Description of his living conditions at the Reform Club, travel plans to Oxford and possibly France, and the current political situation in England: "The situation here is very grave, & all the more because there is not press: ... They won't make an army & they won't work hard at armament. It is a deadlock."

Subjects and Associated Physical Materials

BELLOC, HILAIRE - CORRESP. TO ELIZABETH BELLOC 1938 (11/26): Autographed Letter

BELLOC, ELIZABETH - CORRESP. FROM HILAIRE BELLOC 1938 (11/26): Autographed Letter

REFORM CLUB [LONDON] - CORRESP. RE CONDITIONS AT 1938: Autographed Letter

OXFORD - CORRESP. RE PLANNED TRAVEL TO 1938: Autographed Letter

FRANCE - CORRESP. RE POSSIBILTY OF TRAVEL TO 1938: Autographed Letter

ENGLAND - CORRESP. RE POLITICAL CONDITIONS IN 1938: Autographed Letter

CENSORSHIP, PRESS - CORRESP. RE CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND 1938: Autographed Letter

MILITARY - CORRESP. RE CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND 1938: Autographed Letter