Summary
Abstract
More than a dramatist, George Bernard Shaw was a critic, a man of letters, a personality, and a celebrity. The collection consists of eleven letters and cards, an edited typescript of p. 2-4 of the preface to the 1911 German collection of his plays, and two typescripts of Shaw's World War II address, "The Unavoidable Subject" (never aired).
Dates
- Creation: 1906-1940
Extent
14 Items
Background
Biographical / Historical
More than a dramatist, George Bernard Shaw was a critic, a man of letters, a personality, and a celebrity. Confident, opinionated, and possessed of an intimidating intelligence, Shaw became the most formidable English playwright in centuries, innovative, entertaining, and always pointed. His outrageous behavior, larger than life persona, and writing on music, art, politics, and literature all contribute to his legend and legacy.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of eleven letters and cards, an edited typescript of p. 2-4 of the preface to the 1911 German collection of his plays, and two typescripts of Shaw's World War II address, The unavoidable subject (never aired), a proposed 1940 radio broadcast with unorthodox views on Adolf Hitler, Germany, Britain, and World War II. Included are letters to George Sylvester Viereck, Anthony Weymouth, actress Dorothy Cheston, and several theatre societies. Topics include the production of his plays, and views on politics and Germany
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.
Processing Information
Processed by Special Collections staff.
Using These Materials
Repository Details
Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793
spcollections@psu.edu
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Photocopies of original materials may be made available for research purposes at the discretion of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library. Photocopies or reproductions of original materials may be subject to fees as outlined by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries reproduction policies.
Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Patrons seeking advice on the availability of unpublished materials for publication should consult relevant copyright law and laws of libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], George Bernard Shaw letters and manuscripts, 03537, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
- Title
- Guide to the George Bernard Shaw letters and manuscripts
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Prepared by Special Collections Library faculty/staff
- Date
- 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2023: Lexy deGraffenreid updated standardized notes to current standard, October 2023