Prestigious Bragg archive comes to Leeds
Melvyn Bragg has presented his literary archive to the University of Leeds.
His archive includes works never before seen by the public; including the handwritten manuscript of his unpublished first novel, numerous scripts for film and stage which never fully came to fruition, and other substantial projects virtually completed but set aside for artistic or practical reasons.
The collection is housed in 60 large boxes and encompasses manuscripts, typescripts and notes relating to all Bragg's published fiction and non-fiction, and also for various plays, screenplays, articles and lectures. The notes give a unique insight into the evolution of all these works, often documenting the entire creative process from an original idea through to publication or performance.
Cumbria-born Bragg wanted the archive to be permanently accessible in a location in the north of England. His decision to present the archive to the University reflects his ties to Leeds, which is recognised as a world-leading centre of excellence in English literature, and its library and Special Collections, where the Bragg archive will be kept.
Lord Bragg said: "I am delighted to give my archive to the University of Leeds. It is a great university with which I have close associations and the Brotherton Library is outstanding."
A discussion in the Guardian with Chris Sheppard, Head of Special Collections, sheds more light on this amazing acquisition:
Prestigious Bragg archive comes to Leeds
Chris Sheppard introduces some of the items from the collection in the Yorkshire Post "behind the scenes" tour:
Yorkshire Post video feature