Special Collections Department
The John Malcolm Brinnin
Papers
Manuscript Collection Number: 103
Accessioned: Purchase, 1983-1984.
Extent: 15.5 linear ft. (ca. 18,400 pages).
Content: Correspondence, photographs, poetry, essays, books, reviews, speeches, drafts, and emphemera.
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: Originally processed in 1983, revised 1988-1991 by Anita A. Wellner.
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Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Contents List
Series II.: Material relating to Dylan Thomas
- Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin, 1949-1953
- Letter from Dylan Thomas to his parents, 1950
- Letters from Caitlin Thomas to Dylan Thomas, Brinnin, and Francie Brinnin, plus related items, 1950-1975
- Letters from Mrs. MacNamara (Caitlin's mother) to Caitlin Thomas and Read, 1953
- Letter from Lywelyn Thomas (Dylan's son) to Brinnin, [n.d.]
- Correspondence and material related to Thomas's reading tours in America, 1950-1955
- Material related to Dylan Thomas's death, 1953-1955
- Manuscripts by Dylan Thomas, 1950-1953
- Photographs related to Dylan Thomas, 1950-1953
- Material written about Dylan Thomas, 1950-1972
- Miscellaneous material related to Dylan Thomas, 1950-1972
Back to Contents List
Series I. Correspondence, A - H
Series I. Correspondence, I - R
Series I. Correspondence, S - Z & miscellaneous.
Series III - V & Appendix A.
Manuscripts written by John Malcolm Brinnin, 1930-1976
Manuscripts by other writers, 1918-1981
Miscellaneous material related to John Malcolm Brinnin, 1916-1978
List of printed material removed from the colleciton, to be cataloged for Special Collections, 1927-1978
Biographical Note
Scope and Contents Note
Series Outline
Contents List
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas, 1949-1976 John Malcolm Brinnin served as his agent in the United States and organized Thomas' reading tours in America. After Dylan Thomas' death, Brinnin wrote Dylan Thomas in America. The correspondence and manuscripts reflect their professional and personal relationship. Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and John Malcolm Brinnin, 1949-1953 Correspondence largely concerns various reading tours which Brinnin arranged (as Thomas' agent) in the United States for Thomas, a wide variety of other topics are discussed. 35 items (59 pp.) F544 Dylan Thomas letters, 1949-1953 1949 May 28 ALS w/env Langharne 3p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Accepts John Malcolm Brinnin's invitation to read at the Poetry Center and is also willing to read in California and discusses finances. 1949 Oct 2 TLS and TL (carbon) Westport 4p John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas (2 copies). Brinnin proposes himself as Dylan Thomas's agent in America. 1949 Nov 7 Telegram Langharne 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. "Proposition gratefully accepted...." 1949 Nov 23 ALS Langharne 3p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gives amusing reasons for not writing sooner and is delighted Brinnin will act as his agent for his readings in America. Discusses number of readings, doesn't want to work too hard, needs to have money to take back to England, wants to go to California. He would like to read poems in dialects, hymns to Stalin, or anything over 500 lines. 1949 Nov 28, 29 TL (carbon) Westport 3p John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas. Drafts of responses to Thomas' letter, discussing details of a tour. 1950 Feb 6 TLS and TL (carbon) New York 3p John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas. Concerns the enclosed itinerary for Thomas' 1950 reading tour in the U.S. 1950 Mar 25 Telegram Iowa City 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. "Arriving San Francisco March 26...stay Palace Hotel." 31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin (cont'd) F544 Dylan Thomas letters (cont'd) 1950 Apr 4 (a.m.) Telegram San Francisco 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About the itinerary. 1950 Apr 5 (p.m.) Telegram San Francisco 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About the itinerary. 1950 Apr 18 Telegram San Francisco 2p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Wants to cancel the Florida engagement, bears an autograph note by John Malcolm Brinnin on the verso. 1950 Apr 20 Telegram San Francisco 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Impossible to keep Florida engagement. 1950 Apr 21 Telegram San Francisco 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. 1951 Apr 12 ALS w/env Langharne 4p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Discusses humorous reminiscences of Brinnin's trip to London. Also will try to arrange BBC reading for Brinnin, is co-writing a comic series for radio, has written three new poems, and writes about Edith Sitwell's parties. He wants to do reading tour in U.S. in 1952 and read his new poems. Also discusses his trip to Persia. 1951 Jul 21 Telegram Langharne 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Delighted you are in London. 1951 Aug 31 ALS w/env Langharne 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Thomas has lost Brinnin's letter and writes concerning John Davenport, finances, a film job, poems, and 1952 tour. 1951 Dec 3 ALS w/env London 5p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Discusses 1952 tour, going to California and Washington, Caitlin accompanying him, conflicting dates, and poets and dramatic material he will read. 1951 Dec 11 TL New York 1p John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas. Itinerary for January-March of 1952. 1952 Jan 6 ALS London 2p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Although he had difficulties obtaining American visa, he sails on the Queen Mary. McGill University wants him to read. 31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin (cont'd) F544 Dylan Thomas letters (cont'd) 1952 Jan 16 Telegram Queen Mary (ship) 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. See you on Pier 90 Sunday. 1952 Mar 21 Telegram Flagstaff 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Send $100. 1952 Apr 4 ALS w/env San Francisco 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Thomas owes MIT students an apology for missing his reading, is to write introduction to English edition of his Collected Poems, describes travels, and laments his lack of money. 1953 Feb 16 TL (photocopy) Langharne 4p Dylan Thomas to Charles [Fry]. Photocopy of a letter written in verse form. 1953 Mar 18 ALS Langharne 2p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Notes that Caitlin accuses him of going to U.S. for flattery, idleness, and infidelity; and mentions Under Milkwood, which will be ready when he sails but he has doubts about performing it. 1953 Apr 2 TLS Cambridge, MA 3p New England All-College Conference to John Malcolm Brinnin. Discusses Thomas' reading. On the verso are doodles and notes made by Thomas during a telephone conversation with Igor Stravinsky and Brinnin's note explaining the doodles. 1953 Jun 16 ALS w/env Langharne 2p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Thomas enjoyed U.S. trip, mentions Sarah Caldwell and Igor Stravinsky, will revise Under Milkwood for broadcast and publication, asks Brinnin to arrange an American production, mentions "In Skin Trade" and his plans for writing. 1953 Oct 6 Telegram Langharne 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About his visa. 1953 Oct 17 Telegram London 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Taking a plane. [n.d.] ANS w/env New York 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gone to 3rd Ave, come at once. [n.d.] ANS w/env New York 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gone to Moiphys. 31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin (cont'd) F544 Dylan Thomas letters (cont'd) [n.y.] Nov 30 ANS Amherst, MA 1p Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gone to have drink with Joe Barber. [n.d.] ANS Holland-America Line 1p Dylan & Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About his trip back. II.2. Letter from Dylan Thomas to his parents, 1950 F545 1950 May 22 ALS 5p Dylan Thomas to parents. Letter discusses their health, describes his tour, and mentions dinner with Anita Loos; but was never sent. II.3. Letters from Caitlin Thomas to Dylan Thomas, John Malcolm Brinnin, and Francie Brinnin, plus related items, 1950-1975 Most of the letters are to John Malcolm Brinnin. 25 items (39 pp.) F546 Caitlin Thomas letters, 1950-1975 1950 Jul 14 ALS w/env Langharne 2p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. 1952 Apr 7 Telegram England 1p Ringwood Hants (school) to Caitlin Thomas. 1952 May 10 ALS Holland-America Lines 2p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. [1953 Nov 2] ALS w/env Hammersmith 8p Caitlin Thomas to Dylan Thomas. 1953 Nov 8 Receipt and bill New York 1p Scully-Watson to Caitlin Thomas. Ambulance service for Caitlin Thomas. 1953 Nov 8 Receipt and bill New York 1p River Crest Sanitarium to Caitlin Thomas. Hospitalization for Caitlin Thomas. 1953 Dec 19 ALS Langharne 4p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. 1954 Feb 8 ALS Langharne 6p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. 31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.3. Letters from Caitlin Thomas (cont'd) F546 Caitlin Thomas letters (cont'd) 1954 Aug 16 ALS w/env Langharne 4p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. [1954 Dec 21] ACS Italy 1p Caitlin Thomas to Francie Brinnin. 1972 Apr 6 ANS on photograph [s.l.] 1p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. With a comment by Brinnin. 1975 Jun 7 Telephone message Venice, Italy 1p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. 1975 Jun 12 ALS w/env Rome 2p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. [n.d.] ALS [s.l.] 3p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. [n.d.] ALS [s.l.] 2p Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. II.4. Letters from Mrs. MacNamara (Caitlin Thomas' mother) to Caitlin Thomas and Bill Read, 1953 F547 Letters from Mrs. MacNamara, 1953 1953 Nov 10 ALS Hants 2p MacNamara to Caitlin Thomas. [n.y.] Sep 10 ALS Blashford 2p MacNamara to Bill Read. 31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.5. Letters from Aeronwy Thomas (Dylan Thomas' daughter) to Brinnin, 1972-1976 F548 Letters from Aeronwy Thomas, 1972-1976 1972 Aug 10 ALS 1p 1974 Apr 29 TLS 1p 1976 Aug 21 ALS 4p [n.d.] Brochure 6p Note: "Poetry & Music of Wales." II.6. Letter from Llewelyn Thomas (Dylan Thomas' son) to Brinnin, [n.d.] F549 Letter from Llewelyn Thomas, [n.d.] [n.d.] ALS 1p Note: Includes an excerpt from Geraldine Lawrence's description of Llewelyn Thomas' marriage and a clipping of him and his bride. II.7. Correspondence and material related to Dylan Thomas' reading tours in America, 1950-1955 Includes letters and telegrams from various universities, tour itineraries and calendars, statements of fees earned and expenditures, information about visas and transportation, and programs and brochures related to readings. F550 Correspondence with universities concerning readings and lectures by Dylan Thomas, 1950-1955 Includes Amherst College, Syracuse University, University of California, Duke, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, City College (NY), Haverford College, Pennsylvania State University, and New York University. 15 items (20 pp.) F551 Itineraries, calendars, and fees for readings as kept by Brinnin, 1950-1953 17 items (20 pp.) F552 Financial and travel material for tours, 1951-1954 Includes letters from Leslie Andrews & Co. concerning Thomas' earnings and correspondence concerning Thomas visa and air travel. 15 items (16 pp.) F553 Brochures and a poster for Dylan Thomas' readings, 1952 One poster and 4 handcards for Dylan Thomas' readings at The Poet's Theatre (Cambridge) and one brochure for his first reading at the Poetry Center in New York. Some notes by Brinnin. 6 items (10 pp.) 31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.8. Material relating to Dylan Thomas' death, 1953-1955 F554 Includes a letter drafted by John Malcolm Brinnin to John Hayward about Thomas' death, a telegram to Thomas from friends, Brinnin's hospital pass, checks & receipts for nursing services, the initial letter for "The Dylan Thomas Fund," program for "In Memoriam Dylan Thomas" by Stravinsky. 14 items (20 pp.) II.9. Manuscripts by Dylan Thomas, 1949-1957 Includes various poems, work sheets, and proofs written by Dylan Thomas. F555 "In Country Heaven," [n.d.] Photocopy of an incomplete poem by Thomas, with a note by John Malcolm Brinnin, plus a typescript copy of the poem. 3 pp. F556 Poetry work sheets concerning Thomas' 35th birthday, [1949] Two pages of autograph verse with Thomas's autograph corrections and two photostats of another page. Titles include "At half his bible span...," "Half his three score & ten years have gone," and "We are free to die." 3 items (5 pp.) F557 BBC talks by Dylan Thomas, [n.d.] Six typescript transcripts. 12 pp. F558 Under Milkwood, [1954 Feb] Page Proofs and a photocopy of the proofs of Under Milkwood as published in Mademoiselle (1954 Feb), which includes Brinnin's introductory, "Dylan Thomas and his Village," and his corrections to the introduction. 4 items (85 pp.) F559 Under Milkwood, 1954-1957 Reviews of the play and an advertisement for recordings of Thomas reading his work. 6 items (14 pp.) 32 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.9. Manuscripts by Dylan Thomas (cont'd) F560 New World Writing, 1952 First Edition in paperback (New York: New American Library, 1952). Includes the following autograph verses written by Dylan Thomas: 1. Seven line poem about Thomas Merton on front flyleaf. 2. Twenty line poem about Howard Moss, beginning on the inside front cover and continuing on the back flyleaf and inside back cover. 3. Twelve line poem, "Plaint for Middlesex," written on scrap of paper inserted between pages 116-117. Also includes a letter Brinnin explaining the items. 3 items (7 pp.) F561 "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and untitled poem with inscription to Brinnin, [n.d.] Photocopy of an autograph draft of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" written by Thomas and a photocopy of an untitled poem, which bears an inscription to John Malcolm Brinnin from Dylan Thomas. Includes a note of explanation from Brinnin. 2 items (2 p.) F562 The Doctor and the Devils, 1954-1957 Includes a mimeographed typescript of Joseph Everingham's stage adaptation Thomas's book and a copy of Brinnin's review of the book. Brinnin also worked on the stage adaptation. 2 items (99 pp.) II.10. Photographs related to Dylan Thomas, 1950-1953 F563 Photographs of Dylan Thomas, Caitlin Thomas, his family, Wales, Langharne, friends, rehearsals of Under Milkwood, some include Brinnin. Brinnin has identified and commented on the verso of some of the items. See F589 for photographs related to Read's The Days of Dylan Thomas. 157 items. 33 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas, 1950-1972 Includes various manuscripts and related material for books or articles written about Thomas by Brinnin, Bill Read, Joseph D. Everingham, and Bert Trick. Also includes reviews of Leftover Life to Kill written by Caitlin Thomas and Under Milkwood, as well as news clippings. Dylan Thomas in America by John Malcolm Brinnin Boston: Little, Brown, 1955. F564 Preliminary material,1955-1956 Reader's reports and questions related to the manuscripts, plus advertising material. 6 items (11 pp.) F565 Correspondence with Dent (London), 1955-1956 Regarding the publication of an English edition. 11 items (14 pp.) F566 Original typescript (incomplete), [n.d.] Bears author's autograph corrections as well as corrections by Moss are in pencil and by Reitell in ink, plus an explanatory note by Brinnin. Pages are numbered 2 - 247. Pages 1, 4, 7, 11, 17-19, 22-24, 28-29, 32-37, 39, 41-42, 45-49, 51, 54, 57-61, 63-64, 66-89, 94-97, 100, 102-121, 123-125, 127-143, 145-154, 161-164, 166-171, 174-205, 228-242 are missing. 2 items (106 pp.) F567 Typescript with autograph corrections by author, [n.d.] -568 1 item (294 pp.) F569 Reviews of Dylan Thomas in America, 1955-1964 Tear sheets, photocopies, and a copy of the Western Review (1956 Spr) which contains a review by R.V. Cassill. 48 items (72 pp.) F570 Fan mail related to Dylan Thomas in America, 1953-1963 Also includes several letters of condolence to Brinnin following Thomas's death. 102 items (174 pp.) F571 Contract for the dramatic rights for the play Dylan, 1961 Based on Dylan Thomas in America. 1 item (5 pp.) 34 Dylan by Sidney Michaels New York: Random House, 1964. Play based on Brinnin's Dylan Thomas in America and Leftover Life to Kill by Caitlin Thomas. F572 Typescript (mimeograph), 1962 Multilithed copy of script in green binder, inscribed by Brinnin. 1 item (101 pp.) 34 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas (cont'd) Dylan by Sidney Michaels (cont'd) F573 Correspondence, reviews, and programs, 1959-1964 Includes a copy of Playbill (March 1964). 11 items (94 pp.) "The Making of Under Milkwood" by John Malcolm Brinnin F574 Typescript signed with autograph corrections, 1954 Includes Brinnin's letter (1954 Jul 20) to Dylan Thomas's literary executor, Dr. Jones, explaining that the published version of Under Milkwood did not incorporate Thomas's last changes to the manuscript. 2 items (5 pp.) "Dylan Thomas in America" by John Malcolm Brinnin F575 Copy of Vassar Alumnae, 1951 Dec Containing Brinnin's article, plus a photocopy. 2 items (7 pp.) "Dylan Thomas and America" by John Malcolm Brinnin F576 Connecticut Campus Fine Arts Magazine, 1956 Apr 28 Photocopied page. 1 item (1 p.) Speech by John Malcolm Brinnin on the presentation of a bust of Dylan Thomas to the National Museum of Wales F577 Speech, programs and press releases, 1964 Speech bears Brinnin's autograph corrections. 9 items (24 pp.) Leftover Life to Kill by Caitlin Thomas Boston: Atlantic-Little Brown, [1957] F578 Photocopies of reviews, 1957 Reviews by John K. Hutchins, Katherine Anne Porter, Gene Baro, and Mollie Panter-Downes. 5 items (6 pp.) 34 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas (cont'd) "The Young Dylan Thomas" by Bert Trick F579 Trick's reminiscences of Dylan Thomas, 1966 Copies of manuscripts and correspondence with Bill Read related to Trick's reminiscences of Dylan Thomas, when he was 18-20 years old. Also includes transcripts of Thomas's letters to Trick. 32 items (183 pp.) "Dylan Thomas' Naked Vision'" by Edward Bloom F580 Inscribed offprint, 1960 Autumn Reprinted from The Western Humanities Review. 1 item (12 pp.) "Poetry Programme: Dylan Thomas" Script for BBC broadcast on September 25, 1950. F581 Program of reading by Dylan Thomas, 1950 Sep 25 R. D. (Reg) Smith's mimeographed typescript copy according to a note by Brinnin. 1 item (16 pp.) "Dylan Thomas" issue of The Yale Literary Magazine F582 Copy of issue, 1954 Nov Includes articles by William Carlos Williams, Richard Eberhart, Kimon Friar, Kenneth Rexroth, and others. 1 item (36 pp.) "Dylan Thomas" by Edith Sitwell F583 Photocopy of Sitwell's Atlantic article, 1954 Feb 1 item (4 pp.) "The Art of Dylan Thomas" by Edwin Muir F584 Photocopy of Muir's Harper's Bazaar article, 1954 Feb Page 1 only. 1 item (1 p.) 34 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd) II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas (cont'd) "The World He Breathed" by Bill Read F585 Program and typescript of Read's brief description of Thomas's home, 1954 Spr Written for a Creative Concerts Guild musical memorial program commissioned in honor of Dylan Thomas. 2 items (21 pp.) Clippings and photocopied material concerning Dylan Thomas, 1950-1969 F586 News clippings and photocopies, including obituaries, 1950-1969 42 items (47 pp.) 35 The Days of Dylan Thomas by Bill Read New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964 With photographs by Rollie McKenna. F587 Copy of paperback, 1964 1 item (190 pp.) F588 Typescript (carbon and photocopy) with autograph notes. Removed from a loose-leaf binder. 1 item (205 pp.) F589 Galley Proofs, photographs, notes, negatives, and layout ideas, [1964] Galley proofs and photocopies of poems by Dylan Thomas, notes for the book, photographs and negatives, layouts, and miscellaneous items. 53 items (79 pp.) II.12. Miscellaneous material relating to Dylan Thomas, 1950-1972 F590 Pearn, Pollinger & Higham, Ltd. (London) correspondence, 1954-1956 Correspondence between Pearn, Pollinger & Higham, Ltd. (Thomas' agent) and Brinnin concerning various Dylan Thomas publications or recordings. 10 items (10 pp.) F591 Checks signed by Thomas, notes, brochures, and printed material, 1950-1972 Includes a copy of the PSA Bulletin (1967 Oct), with a reproduction of a Thomas drawing of himself on the cover; a copy of American Book Collector (1972 May), which offers Dylan Thomas items for sale; a "Checklist of Dylan Thomas Memorabilia from the Collection of Dr. T. E. Hanley...;" and miscellaneous notes, photocopies, and brochures related to Dylan Thomas. 24 items (102 pp.)
Back to Contents List
Series I. Correspondence, A - H
Series I. Correspondence, I - R
Series I. Correspondence, S - Z & miscellaneous.
Series III - V & Appendix A.
Manuscripts written by John Malcolm Brinnin, 1930-1976
Manuscripts by other writers, 1918-1981
Miscellaneous material related to John Malcolm Brinnin, 1916-1978
List of printed material removed from the colleciton, to be cataloged for Special Collections, 1927-1978
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