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H.G. Wells Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS 12

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of one series entitled Correspondence. The letters in this collection are mainly from Wells to Reginald Turner, and generally concern Wells’ travel plans. Some of the letters refer to visits to Turner in Italy with Wells’ mistress, Rebecca West. Some refer to Wells’ travel plans with a later mistress, Odette Keun. Others refer to family plans with his sons Gip and Frank. A few letters discuss literary matters, such as articles or stories to be published. One letter is from Catherine Wells to Turner.

The thirteen letters in this collection are dated from 1911[?] to 1937. They are arranged in three groupings: letters to Turner from Wells, 1913-1928; letters to others from Wells, 1911[?] to 1937; and a letter dated 1919[?] to Turner from H.G.'s wife, Catherine Wells. Within each grouping, the letters have been arranged chronologically. There are typed transcriptions of each letter.

Dates

  • Creation: 1911-1937

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The materials in this collection may be protected under copyright law and may only be used for educational, teaching, and research purposes. If the intended use is beyond these purposes, it is the responsibility of the user to obtain the appropriate permissions by contacting Special Collections/University Archives at the Ellen Clarke Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.

Biographical / Historical

Herbert George Wells, known by his initials H.G. Wells, was a British writer, journalist, political activist and social commentator born on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, Kent, England. A lesser-known aspect of Wells’ personal life was his extramarital affairs. The documents in the collection indirectly illustrate how Wells freely traveled with his mistresses. The collection spans the years from 1911, when Wells was age 45, to 1937, when he was 71.

Full Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (One 2.5-inch document box)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Records are arranged numerically by folder number and chronologically within the folders.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Received from LaFayette L. Butler, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, 1975.

Title
H.G. Wells Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Laura Wertz
Date
March 2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bucknell University Special Collections/University Archives Repository

Contact:
028 Bertrand Library
Bucknell University
One Dent Drive
Lewisburg PA 17837 United States US
570-577-3101
570-577-3313 (Fax)