Grant Richards Papers
Collection
Identifier: GTM-781016
The Grant Richards Papers consist of correspondence, (Boxes 1 to 3), manuscripts (Box 4 and throughout individual correspondence files), printed materials (Box 5), photos and clippings (Box 5 and 6), all relating to Richards and to the various authors he published. Of note is correspondence between Lady Gregory and himself regarding proposed biographies of Sir Hugh Lane, who died on the "Lusitania." The collection would be of interest in the study of any of the writers represented to the student of publishing history. The collection, however, is not entire as other portions of Richards' papers were previously sold at auction. Unless otherwise stated, all correspondence in the collection is either to, or from, Grant Richards, his secretary Mrs. Hemmerde, or Mrs. Grant Richards. The folders are arranged alphabetically and the contents are arranged chronologically within the folder. Note: Click on "External Documents" below for a link to the finding aid to the collection.
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.
Grant Richards was born on October 21, 1872. He was educated at City of London School but left it at the age of 15. Later, he became a Fellow and Tutor at Trinity College, Oxford. A nephew of the novelist Grant Allen, books attracted him from his youth. In 1888, he began his publishing career earning 8 shillings a week clerking for the firm of Hamilton Adams in Paternoster Row. At the age of 17, in 1889, Richards joined W.T. Stead's Review of Reviews. His experience with the illustrious Stead was invaluable. Ten years later with 1400L Richards "commenced publisher.
"Among the distinguished authors on "Grantie's List" were Grant Allen, F. Anstey, Arnold Bennett, Vera Brittain, Arthur Conan Doyle, John Galsworthy, Frank Harris, A.E. Housman, P. Wyndham Lewis, Llewellyn Powys, and George Bernard Shaw. And his list of poets was hardly less impressive: G.K. Cnesterton, Richard Le Gallienne, John Masefield, T. Sturge Moore, and Robert Frost. He also possessed a fine appreciation for art and issued early portfolios of Sir William Rothenstein and C.R.W. Nevinson as well as employing such artists as Phil May, William Hyde, and Maurice Greiffenhagen.
Grant Richards was an author in his own right. He produced such works as "The Coast of Pleasure," "Memories of a Misspent Youth," and his delightful work on publishing, "Author· Huntihg." In 1915, he married Maria Magdalena de Csanady, author of "Three Little Adventurers," illustrated by the well known Ruth Cobb. They had two sons and two daughters. Grant Richards died 24 February 1948.
The researcher is urged to consult John Gawsworth's piece on Richards in the Literary Digest, 1948 and the biographical section in the collection (Box 3 Folder 15).
2.75 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
English
Purchase from Sotheby Parke Bernet and Company, 1978.
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository