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MSS 604, Paul Bowles correspondence with John Widdicombe, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.
Processed and encoded by Christopher La Casse, September 2009.
The American composer and author Paul Frederic Bowles was born in New York City on December 30, 1910. Before abandoning college at the University of Virginia, Bowles befriended John Widdicombe. The two men corresponded until the 1970s.
In 1929, no longer attending the University of Virginia, Bowles began his life of travels with a trip to Paris, where he hoped to establish himself as a poet. Back in New York in 1930, he studied composition with Aaron Copland, whom he also accompanied to Yaddo, Paris, Berlin, and Tangier. With the support of Copland and Virgil Thomson, Bowles found work in New York writing music and scores for ballet and theater. His successful career as a composer took off in the Depression with work for the Federal Theater Project (including music for Orson Welles's Horse Eats Hat) and the Federal Music Project. Bowles became one of the preeminent composers of American theater music, producing works for William Saroyan, Tennessee Williams, and others.
In 1938, Paul Bowles married the aspiring writer Jane Auer, who shortly achieved critical acclaim for her first novel,
Bowles was also known for his work as a translator. He bestowed the title "No Exit" upon Jean-Paul Sartre's
Paul and Jane Bowles spent much of their married life traveling throughout the world. In the late 1940s they made Tangier, Morocco, their permanent home. Major figures in the world of letters and the arts and international "society" frequently visited them there. Jane Bowles died in 1973, and Bowles continued to reside in Tangier until his death on November 18, 1999.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, John Widdicombe was a member of the Widdicombe furniture-making family. While studying at the University of Virginia, he met an aspiring composer, Paul Bowles, and despite distance, the two maintained a friendship through letters for several decades. Widdicombe and Bowles made plans to visit, often realizing those visits, which included Widdicombe's trip to Morocco, where Bowles eventually settled.
Widdicombe was friend to many artistic and literary figures, including Iris Barry, Elizabeth Bowen, Joe Brewer, and Muriel Draper. After serving in the Second World War, Widdicombe held several government positions and settled in southern Vermont.
The Paul Bowles correspondence with John Widdicombe comprises 49 letters and postcards, 1929 to 1975, reflecting the long-lasting friendship Bowles maintained with Widdicombe, whom he met during his brief time as a student at the University of Virginia. While on his travels, Bowles posted letters from various locations abroad, which ranged in content from news about musical and literary acquaintances, such as Aaron Copland or Gertrude Stein, to sketches of local nationals and their culture. A few letters from Widdicombe, one from Jane Bowles, and a few from Jeffrey Miller are included in the collection. Several of the letters in this collection were reproduced in Jeffrey Miller's
In letters to Widdicombe, Bowles mentioned meeting Gertrude Stein, and in one particular letter, he wrote, “You will find my articulation gone to the four winds now that I am here with g.s. she is fabelhaft, wunderbar, inouïe, all of it” (F2 June 25 1931). In a letter written years later, most likely in response to one of Widdicombe’s questions, Bowles refuted that he was a character in one of Stein’s novels. Throughout the collection, Bowles referenced Aaron Copland, frequently mentioned music and performances, and shared any news he heard concerning contemporary composers such as Stravinsky. In very detailed sketches, Bowles described various countries and its peoples, such as France, Morocco, and Columbia.
One letter from Jane Bowles to John Widdicombe is found in Folder 5. In addition to Bowles's letters, several exchanges occurred in the 1970s between Widdicombe and Jeffrey Miller, a biographer who initiated the correspondence in order to collect Bowles’s letters, which he later published in his book
The letters are arranged chronologically in two series: I. Paul Bowles letters and II. Correspondence regarding Jeffrey Miller's book.
MSS 163 Paul Bowles papers
MSS 164 Christopher Sawyer-Lauçanno papers related to Paul Bowles
MSS 323 Paul Bowles letters to William Saroyan
MSS 324 Paul Bowles letters to John Martin
Bowles, Paul, 1910-1999.
Correspondence from various locations abroad on topics ranging from musical and literary acquaintances to local nationals and their culture. All letters from Paul Bowles to John Widdicombe unless otherwise noted.
From Washington, DC. Referencing parties in Washington, art exhibition, shared purchases, etc.
From Jamaica. Brief note.
From Jamaica. Brief note.
From Jamaica. Referencing Dutton's, his living situation, Martha Marsh, future travel plans, returning to University of Virginia ("the Dean told me to return").
From Princeton. Referencing his plans with Aaron Copland, Bedford, travel plans.
From Yaddo. On Yaddo letterhead. Referencing his work with Copland ("my music is going to be infinitely improved by even this short sojourn"), his music compositions, life at Yaddo.
From New York. Referencing meeting with Joe Brewer, Anga Enters, work and travel with Copland, gallery exhibitions, Lola Ridge, Lewis Armistead, "Hilton," his readings, Moroccan, Tzara, Antheil, various gossip.
From Jamaica. Regarding travel plans, shared acquaintances, Joe Brewer, Donald Angus, Carl Van Vechten, "The Messenger" (University of Richmond's literary magazine).
From New York. Re: impossibility of meeting before departure, referencing Richard Thoma, trip to Berlin.
From Jamaica. Regarding his departure and illness.
From Paris. "I had tea with Gertrude Stein … she is quite swell." The Sitwells, Cocteau ("who is remarkable with a mind like a tropical aquarium."), Copland.
From the Netherlands. Referencing his stay at Krishnamurti's house ("too fantastic for description"), Gertrude Stein.
From Germany. Referencing shared friends (Charles Henri Ford, Richard Thoma), visit to Gertrude Stein, Copland, Stravinsky, Igor Markevitch, Hindemith, other composers, Alfred Kreymborg.
Aboard the Holland-America Line to France. In French. Thanking Widdicombe for funds.
From France. Extensive discussion of his time with Gertrude Stein in Bellay- her readings, visitors (Picasso, Copland), plans to visit McAlmon, Boyles, Cocteau, Stravinsky and others, a poem dedicated to Widdicombe, shared friends.
From Paris, on "In the Loggia Lemon Pyjamas are forbid" letterhead. Referencing dispute with Gertrude Stein, Aragon, Breton, Cocteau ("chinamen living with him and many knives on the floor"), music scene in Paris, Richard Thoma, war news, "god damn America and her justice."
Widdicombe to Bowles, returned. Regarding travels.
From Jamaica. Looking for news from his friend in New York?
From New York. Regarding an upcoming party in New York City.
From Fez. Detailed discussion of his exploration of Fez, Chleuh boys, native music, "most beguiling experiences," new acquaintances (Abdallah), encounters and fights with Arab men, "Mr. Williams."
From Fez. Describing his time in Fez ("will soon be finished…"), mention of his relationship with "Williams" and "Brown," asking advice about plans to go to the UK, "Our Spahis are departed," theatrical performances, Andalous music.
From off Tenerife. Describing his difficulties boarding a ship bound for Colombia, long discussion of problems with "Mr. Williams," his travels in Morocco, civil unrest in Morocco, Chleuh dancing, plans for travel in South America.
From Colombia. "Quel folie! A country without a civilized thought … What Morocco would be like if there were no French there and if all the Arabs dressed in Palm Beach suits." Description of jungles, etc.
From San Jose de Guatemala. "the sun shines on the sharks. The Chinamen lean over the deck-rails catching fish: Oh ee yo mow high ow!" News of his travels and problems in Colombia, encounters with locals, food, vignettes of ship passengers.
From Baltimore. Relating news of his work "Venus and Adonis" (film), Bruce Morrissette, "Pierre," readings on Morocco.
From Jamaica. Relating his desire to travel on a cruise in the Caribbean, Askews, Editions de la Vipere, Chick Austin and concert in Hartford, his readings, "German madwoman." Enclosed in a small photograph of the German woman.
From New York, on Editions de la Vipere letterhead. Referencing his musical work, living situation, shared friends (Copland, Houseman, Joe Brewer, Julien Levy, Mary O., Othman, Pierre, Fletcher, Berman), "Gertrude is always lying."
From the Chelsea Hotel, New York. Regarding upcoming opera, assorted musical work, referencing a commission from de Basil, possible travel plans.
From Tapachula. "Madness accentuated by leopards and iguanas and lightning." Travel in Guatemala.
From New York. Referencing David Campbell, Aaron Copland, "Hilton," "here life is really vomity. I am having a Max Ernst movie made for me, to do music about."
From Murray Hill Hotel. Regarding missed visit, Mary Oliver, "Everyone sits around drunk."
From Brooklyn. Recalling a dream he had about Widdicombe, his writing space in Brooklyn, references to the war and to R. Firbank and other writers.
From New York. Referencing his Twelfth Night production, his home in Taxco, his wife Jane and Mary Oliver, Latouches, Fez ("mad throughout, rococo, grandiose, sinister, diseased, unquenchable"), future travels.
From New York. Reference to Widdicombe's visit, his "show," Dali.
From New York. Jane Bowles to Widdicombe (and "Ralph") thanking them for hospitality in Richmond and referencing her plans to go to Mexico, her flight with La Touche, Mrs. Perkins.
From Tangier. Regarding his return home from Spain, travels in Morocco, Jan, new Jaguar.
John Widdicombe to Paul Bowles, referencing his own travels, Elizabeth Bowen, Iris Barry, "The Sheltering Sky," reference to Stein.
From Colombo. Recounting his departure from Ceylon, reminiscences about the Hotel Bellevue and Fez, reference to G. Stein, plans to go to Italy, riots in Morocco, "Janie is in Hollywood."
From Tangier. Referencing his acquisition of Taprobane in Ceylon, his desire to return, his opera for Libby Holman, plans for Madrid, his Jaguar and chauffeur.
From Tangier. Referencing Jane in hospital, his autobiography, Peggy Guggenheim, Westminster (Vermont).
From Tangier. Looking forward to visit of Widdicombe in Tangier.
From Tangier. Thanks for gifts sent, changes in weather, etc.
From Tangier. Biographical notes on M. Mrabet for upcoming gallery show in US, Joella Levy, translations, Antaeus.
From Tangier. Regarding exhibition on Mrabet's work in US, his translations, Ramadan.
Regarding Widdicombe's unsuccessful attempts to sell works by M. Mrabet, travel plans. With envelope from PB.
Xerox letter of support for the collected letters project.
Jeffrey Miller to Widdicombe regarding Paul Bowles bibliography and book of letters.
Holograph pages in the hand of John Widdicombe relating to Paul Bowles - either drafts of letters or notes.
Jeffrey Miller to Widdicombe relating to book of letters.