Correspondence 1940: Hilaire to Elizabeth., 04/19/1940-04/19/1940

File — Box: 1, Folder: 20

Identifier: 58822

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

04/19/1940-04/19/1940

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 TL, 1 page/1 sheet. On letterhead for "The Weekly Review". Discussion of Belloc's views on the progress of the war and reference to the death of Harold Fisher, an Oxford colleague: "Harold Fisher was knocked down in the street the other day and is dead ... I deeply regret his loss. He was the only man at Oxford whom I could respect and who backed me."

Subjects and Associated Physical Materials

BELLOC, HILAIRE - CORRESP. TO ELIZABETH BELLOC 1940 (4/19): Other Types

BELLOC, ELIZABETH - CORRESP. FROM HILAIRE BELLOC 1940 (4/19): Other Types

WORLD WAR II - CORRESP. RE BELLOC'S VIEWS ON 1940: Other Types

FISHER, HAROLD - CORRESP. RE DEATH OF 1940: Other Types

OXFORD UNIVERSITY - CORRESP. RE BELLOC'S ASSOCIATION WITH 1940: Other Types