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Last modified: September 23, 2010
© 2010 University of Delaware Library
Identification: MSS 099, F854
Creator: Coffey, Brian, 1905-
Title: Brian Coffey letters to Mark Axelrod
Inclusive Dates: 1978, 1990
Extent: 4 items (7 p.)
Abstract: These four typed letters from Irish poet Brian Coffey to American academic Mark Axelrod consist of three written in 1978 and one in 1990. Coffey wrote to Axelrod about literature and philosophy.
Language: Materials entirely in English.
MSS 099, F854, Brian Coffey letters to Mark Axelrod, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.
Box 59, F854: Shelved in SPEC MSS 099 manuscript boxes
Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library / Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 / Phone: 302-831-2229 / Fax: 302-831-6003 / URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
Gift of Mark Axelrod, 2009.
Processed and encoded by Anita Wellner, November 2009.
The collection is open for research.
Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi
Avant-garde Irish poet and publisher Brian Coffey was born in Dublin on June 8, 1905. As early as 1924 Coffey began writing poetry. He published his first poems in the University College, Dublin's The National Student under the pseudonym Coeuvre.
During these early years, Coffey met fellow aspiring poet Denis Devlin, who would become a lifelong friend. While in Paris in the 1930s Coffey studied with French philosopher Jacques Maritain and became acquainted with Irish literary expatriates, Thomas MacGreevy and Samuel Beckett, both of whom encouraged his writing. Coffey’s best known work is Missouri Sequence.
In 1966, Coffey attended printing classes and established his own press, Advent Books, which began publishing limited editions of poetry with a special emphasis on typography and jacket design. Brian Coffey died on April 14, 1995, at his home in Southampton, England.
Mark Axelrod is Professor of English & Comparative Literature at Chapman University, Orange, California, and Director of the John Fowles Center for Creative Writing.
Sources:
"Brian Coffey." Dictionary of Irish Literature: Revised and Expanded Edition. Ed. Robert Hogan. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 1996.
"Introductory Essay." The Irish University Review, Special Brian Coffey Issue, 5:1 (Spring 1975): 9-29.
Mark Axelrod website. http://www1.chapman.edu/~axelrod/ (accessed November 2009).
These four letters from Irish poet, Brian Coffey to American academic Mark Axelrod consist of three written in 1978 and one in 1990. Coffey wrote to Axelrod about literature and philosophy.
Coffey responded to queries by Mark Axelrod and addressed questions regarding academic and philosophical issues. In the three letters written in 1978, Coffey discussed and suggested resources on French symbolism and comparative literature. Coffey considered the concepts of creative writing, poetry, the connection between a poet and scholar, as well as "what is it to be human." In one letter Coffey invited Axelrod to visit his home in Southampton and in another seemed to be offering ideas for future research or possibly ideas for a dissertation topic.
In 1990, Coffey wrote to Axelrod about Samuel Beckett. Coffey prefaced his comments by copying his 1937 poem, "One Way" from his book, Third Person, a poem which he wrote with Beckett in mind. Regarding Beckett, Coffey wrote, "he was a faithful friend, from our first meeting, in 1935, to the end. R.I.P."
The letters are arranged chronologically.
Typed letter signed , 1978 July 20 [Box 59 F854]
1 item (3 pp.)
The letter includes a separate handwritten note of postscript. Coffey wrote about French symbolism, poetry, and invited Axelrod to visit his home in Southampton.
Typed letter signed , 1978 August 14 [Box 59 F854]
1 item (2 pp.)
Coffey wrote about comparative literature, the philosophical idea of "what is it to be human," and suggests ideas for future research or possibly dissertation topics.
Typed letter signed , 1978 October 21 [Box 59 F854]
1 item (1 p.)
The typed letter ends with a handwritten postscript. Coffey discussed creative writing, the possible study of Paul Eluard, and the connection between poet and scholar.
Typed letter signed with envelope, 1990 September 26 [Box 59 F854]
1 item (1 p.)
In this letter Coffey wrote about Samuel Beckett and included Coffey's poem, "One Way."
