Elizabeth Rivers Papers,

1931-1966.

Notes, drafts of poems and prose work and correspondence of Elizabeth Rivers, with some papers relating to the Elizabeth Rivers Memorial Exhibition, 1931-1966.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Creator: Rivers, Elizabeth, 1903-1964
Contributors: De la Mare, Walter, 1873-1956
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Format: Manuscript
Language:English
Subjects:
Notes:Additional material transferred from Prints and Drawings Department, August 2004. Correspondence, exhibition programmes, poems, drawings and designs. One archival box. C 1950-1966. P&D material - PD 4246 TX

Photographic material - PC04 LOT16

Associated Materials: National Library of Ireland: The sketches, woodblocks and prints produced by Elizabeth Rivers from this collection are held in the Department of Prints and Drawings (PD 4246 TX). A small collection of photographic material are held in the National Photographic Archive (PC04 LOT16). Seven periodical and printed books, which came with the collection, are catalogued on the library’s online book catalogue, and their provenance clearly marked. In addition the library also holds several other books written or illustrated by Elizabeth Rivers, which can also be found through the online catalogue.

Born in 1903, Elizabeth Joyce Rivers trained at Goldsmith’s College, London from 1921-24, where she showed a keen interest in wood-engraving. Having worked in a commercial art studio she gained a scholarship to the Royal Academy Schools, 1926-31, where she won numerous prizes and medals. During this time she illustrated several works including Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s 'The Day-Dream' (1928) as well as articles for the 'Radio Times'. Having spent three years studying in Paris, Rivers travelled to the Aran Islands in 1935, intending to visit for three months she stayed for a year. She returned in 1936 and remained there for seven years before returning to London to serve as a fire warden in the Blitz. Rivers returned to Ireland after the war, in 1946 her book 'Stranger in Aran' was the last work to be published by the Cuala Press. She also continued to illustrate others’ works including her friend Ethel Mannin’s 'Connemara Journal' (1947) and Seán O’Faoláin’s 'The Man who invented Sin' (1948). At this time Rivers also began a friendship and working relationship with Evie Hone. Incapacitated by illness Hone would pass inch scale designs to Rivers who worked them up to full size, the window in Eton College Chapel was developed in this way. Elizabeth Rivers continued producing art in various mediums, and exhibited watercolours, oils, stained glass, wood engravings and sculptures. She also produced illustrations for works and published illustrated works of her own. Her last literary work, 'Out of Bondage', published in 1957 recorded a visit to Israel six years previously. Religion had played an increasingly important role in Rivers' life and works. In 1956 she was received into the Roman Catholic Church. She died at her home in Dublin on 20 July 1964. In 1966 a group of friends and admirers of Elizabeth Rivers staged a memorial exhibition of her works at the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art in Dublin.

Physical description: 3 boxes.

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Arrangement:I. Aran Islands and 'Strangers in Aran'; II. Israel and 'Out of Bondage'; III. Poetry; IV. Diaries and notebooks; V. Personal correspondence; VI. Professional correspondence; VII. Miscellaneous; VIII. Memorial Exhibition;
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Elizabeth Rivers Papers,

1931-1966.
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Bibliographic Details
In Collection: Elizabeth Rivers Papers, 1931-1966.
Description:Notes, drafts of poems and prose work and correspondence of Elizabeth Rivers, with some papers relating to the Elizabeth Rivers Memorial Exhibition, 1931-1966.
As noted in Accession Record: Original draft of "Stranger in Aran" (stories about the Aran Islands); four short stories re Aran submitted to Liam Miller, Dolmen Press, 1957, and his reply; nine poems; correspondence with Pamela Hinkson re production of cards including verse by her mother Katherine Tynan.
Main Creator: Rivers, Elizabeth, 1903-1964
Language:English
Extent:3 boxes.
Format:Manuscript
Call Number: MS 38,715 (Manuscripts Reading Room)
MS 44,666-44,673 (Manuscripts Reading Room)
Corporate Author:Cuala Press
Dolmen Press