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Correspondence, 1930 - 1977

 Series
Reference code: 483/1

Scope and Contents

Correspondence with a range of individuals that Irene had a professional and personal relationship with. Includes prominent people in the psychotherapy, psychology and art therapy fields. The letters reflect the extent of her connections and professional and personal relationships, her influence and how she was supported.

Dates

  • Creation: 1930 - 1977

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Most material is available to consult in the reading room. Several sub-series contain closed records, and these items are not currently available to researchers. Sub-series 483/1/12 which is correspondence to/from Anthony Stevens is closed and not currently available.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copyright which is held by whoever wrote the letters / their estate. Material written by Irene Champernowne are copyright of the University of Sheffield

Extent

4 Box(es) (Approx. 1184 letters)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

It is unclear if the letters are in their original order. The letters were deposited already arranged in to files for each sender, and some appear to be those addressed directly to Irene. However there is also correspondence between the senders and the Withymead Centre/other staff. The matters discussed in the latter letters are sometimes about Irene and her conduct, suggesting the correspondence was not originally sent to, viewed by or answered/filed by her. It seems likely that there were originally at least two distinct sets of letters - Withymead Centre correspondence, and Irene's own set of correspondence. Perhaps the letters were rearranged into sender files at a later date. Either by Irene (as some letters appear to have later been annotated by her when she had sight of them) such as when Irene came to possess the Withymead papers, or by a third party after Irene's death. There are also what appear to be the original (not photocopies) of Irene's outgoing letters, it is unclear how they were returned (rather than retained by the receiver) or if Irene hand copied them out before sending.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
+44 (0) 114 222 7299