Bagnold, Enid, 1889-1981

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Enid Bagnold, a twentieth-century British author, is best known for her novel National Velvet (1935) and her play "The Chalk Garden" (1955). Born in Rochester, England she spent much of her early life abroad. As a child Bagnold lived in Jamaica where her father was stationed with the Royal Engineers. She was educated in Germany and France.

During World War I, Bagnold served in an English hospital and drove an ambulance for the French army. Drawing on these experiences, she wrote her first novels, Diary without Dates (1918) and The Happy Foreigner (1920). Bagnold married Sir Roderick Jones in 1920, settled in London, traveled in high society and literary circles, and for the next three decades continued writing fiction. In 1924, she published Serena Blandish and in 1938 The Squire (published under the title The Door of Life in the United States). After losing her first chance to be on stage, Bagnold turned to playwriting. A friend suggested she use her experience as the plot of a play: "Lottie Dundass" (1941) was the result. She became devoted to the theater and wrote "Poor Judas" (1951), "Gertie" (1952), "The Last Joke" (1960), and "The Chinese Prime Minister" (1964). Her plays were produced in both England and America.

After her husband died in 1962, Bagnold remained active, built new friendships, and continued to write. In 1967 she began her autobiography, which was published in 1969. Although many of her plays were unsuccessful, her enthusiasm for the theater never waned. She flew to Philadelphia in 1977 to attend her play "A Matter of Gravity" starring Katherine Hepburn. Bagnold died in 1981.

From the guide to the Enid Bagnold papers, 1912-1971, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn A.P. Watt (Firm). A.P. Watt records, 1888-1982 (major authors A-B). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Cleverdon mss. II, 1926-1988 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Papers, 1921-1962. Washington State University, Holland and Terrell Libraries
creatorOf Enid Bagnold Letters to Robin Maugham, 1963-1979., [Bulk Date: 1979] Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn John Phillips Marquand correspondence Houghton Library
referencedIn Papers of J.C. Trewin, 1783-1990 Reading University : Special Collections Services
referencedIn Irons, Evelyn, 1900-. Evelyn Irons correspondence with Vita Sackville-West, 1931-1962. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin Papers, 1921-1993, (bulk 1940-1959) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Fraser, Claud Lovat, 1890-1921. Diaries, 1906, 1914, 1917-1919 June 23. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Hodgson, Ralph, 1871-1962. Letters and cards: to Aurelia Bolliger Hodgson, 1926-1953. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf MS Mus. 1096. Christopher Shaw Collection: Vol. xix. Letters, D’Arányi-Gillespie; 1919-1989; n.d.ff. 147. 340 x 255mm.includes:ff. 1-7 Jelly Eva Arányi de Hunyadvar, violinist: Christopher Shaw, pianist and composer: Letters to Christopher Shaw from ..., 1919-1989 British Library
referencedIn Sir Archive Michael Redgrave V & A Department of Theatre and Performance
creatorOf SUPPLEMENTARY ABERCONWAY PAPERS. Vol. I (ff. 177). Letters from: 1. ff. 1-7. Enid Bagnold; 1951, n.d. Signed.2. f. 8. Clive Bell; 1936. 3. ff. 9-13. E. M. Forster; 1927. 4. ff. 14-20. Duncan Grant; 1934-1947, n.d. 5. ff. 21-42. Lydia Lopokova and Joh..., 1919-1959 British Library
creatorOf Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin Papers, 1921-1993, (bulk 1940-1959) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid, 1890-1921. Letter : London, to Holbrook Jackson, 1920 June 18. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Letters From Famous People, Publishers, Friends and Fans British Library
referencedIn Irons, Evelyn, 1900-. Evelyn Irons correspondence with Vita Sackville-West, 1931-1962. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Ralph Hodgson papers, 1695-1976, 1914-1970 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Mervyn Peake Archive, c 1921-2001 British Library: Western Manuscripts
referencedIn Gannett, Lewis, 1891-1966. Papers, 1681-1966 (bulk 1900-1960) Houghton Library
creatorOf Fraser, Claud Lovat, 1890-1921. Letters : Buntingford and London, to Enid Bagnold, 1914-1918. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Hodgson, Ralph, 1871-1962. The bull : holograph, 1911. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Autograph letter signed and typewritten letter signed : Rottingdean, Sussex and Oise, France, to Mina Curtiss, 1951 Oct. 5. and [postmark 1952 Apr. 19]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Sir Alec Guinness Archive, 1914-2003 British Library: Western Manuscripts
creatorOf Sitwell, Osbert, 1892-1969. Letters, 1918-1957. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Ruth and Augustus Goetz papers, 1930-1966 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Maurice Baring papers. Boston College. John J. Burns Library
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Letter : Bidborough, Kent, to Grace Lovat Fraser, 1921 June 26. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Shaw Program Collection. A Summer Celebration of Love, 1984 - program for production at American Shaw Festival. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Lunt, Alfred. Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne papers, 1838-1983. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Vol. lii a (ff. 139). 26 March 1948 -24 Feb.1949.includes:f. 3 Roger Machell, of Hamish Hamilton Ltd: Mary Herring, secretary to Sir T M Rattigan: Hamish Hamilton Ltd: Peggy French, secretary to Sir T M Rattigan: Correspondence of R. Machell and o... British Library
referencedIn Hodgson, Ralph, 1871-1962. Letters and cards : London, Lowestoft, Norwich, Newport, Sendai, Ohio, to Holbrook Jackson, London, 1911-1941. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Donald and Katharine Foley Collection of Penguin Books, 1935-1965 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Bowden, Charles. Prompt books, 1956-1961. Houghton Library
creatorOf COCKERELL PAPERS. Vol. LXXXI (ff. 259). A-Bag.includes:ff. 1-15 Gertrude Abbey, wife of E Abbey, American artist: Letters, partly on behalf of her husband, to S. C. Cockerell: 1925-1930.ff. 16-22 Major John Roland Abbey, book collector, d.1969: L... British Library
referencedIn Hodgson, Ralph, 1871-1962. Letters and card : London, Norfolk, Lowestoft, Rochester, to Claud Lovat Fraser, 1913-1917 and undated. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf Beerbohm, Max, Sir, 1872-1956. Max Beerbohm letters and memorabilia, 1900-1972. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Bibesco, Marthe, 1886-1973. Princess Marthe Bibesco Papers 1768-1976 (bulk 1904-1973). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Women authors collection, Ba-Be, 1814-1952. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn English literature mss., 1901-1950 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Enid Bagnold correspondence, 1928-1953. The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Letter : Rottingdean, Sussex, to Seymour Adelman, 1972 Jan. 31. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
creatorOf RALPH HODGSON PAPERS. Vol. III. Correspondence, poems, press-cuttings and miscellanea; 1907-1958, n.d. Partly typewritten and printed. ff. 124+69*. Various sizes. Contents: 1. ff. 1-21. Letters from Hodgson; 1938-1954, n.d. Partly typewritten. 2. ff...., 1905-1958 British Library
referencedIn Aberystwyth University Archive, 1824-[ongoing] Aberystwyth University
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Letters : to Claud Lovat Fraser, 1916. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn New Yorker records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. The Chinese prime minister: typescript, [1964]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn James B. Pinker and Son correspondence concerning John Galsworthy, 1901-1946. Houghton Library
referencedIn Lunt, Alfred. Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne papers, 1838-1983. Wisconsin historical society
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. The chalk garden, [ca. 1955]. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Enid Bagnold papers, 1912-1971 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf King, Francis Henry. Collection, 1923-1992. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Enid Bagnold letters, 1963-1979. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Princess Marthe Bibesco Papers TXRC06-A4., 1768-1976, (1904-1973) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Charles Bowden prompt books, 1956-1961. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Nicolson, Harold, 1886-1968. Letter, 1931 August 1, London [to] Enid Bagnold. Washington State University, Holland and Terrell Libraries
referencedIn Lillian Gish papers, 1909-1992 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf HARROD PAPERS. Vol. XIII (ff. 194). 1949-1956.includes:f. 1 Hon Mark Raymond Bonham Carter, publisher: Letters to Sir Roy Forbes Harrod from Hon. Mark Raymond Bonham Carter: 1949, 1961.f. 2 Cyril John Radcliffe, Viscount Radcliffe: Correspondence..., 1949-1956 British Library
creatorOf STRACHEY PAPERS (20TH CENTURY SERIES). Vol. XVIII (ff. 218). 1. ff. 1-3. Augustus John, painter; 1913. 2. ff. 4-37. Dorelia John; 1913?-1931. 3. f. 38. Edwin John; 1916. 4. f. 39. Poppet John; 1931. 5. f. 41. Robin John; 1914. 6. ff. 43-45. Romilly a..., 1902-1962 British Library
referencedIn Rebecca West papers, 1894-1975 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Bagnold, Enid. Enid Bagnold letters to Clifford Musgrave, 1944-1953. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aberystwyth University corporateBody
associatedWith Adelman, Seymour, 1906- person
associatedWith Alfonso, Beatriz. person
associatedWith Alfonso, Beatriz. person
associatedWith Alfonso, Maria Francisco Antonio Diego. person
associatedWith Alfonso, Maria Francisco Antonio Diego. person
associatedWith A.P. Watt (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Ashcroft, Peggy, Dame. person
associatedWith Asquith, Cynthia, Lady, 1887-1960. person
correspondedWith Baring, Maurice, 1874-1945. person
associatedWith Bedford, Sybille, 1911-2006. person
associatedWith Beerbohm, Max, Sir, 1872-1956. person
associatedWith Behrman, S. N(Samuel Nathaniel), 1893-1973. person
associatedWith Bibesco, Marthe, 1886-1973 person
associatedWith Bibesco, Marthe, 1886-1973. person
associatedWith Bowden, Charles. person
associatedWith Bowden, Charles. person
associatedWith Calder-Marshall, Arthur, 1908- person
associatedWith Cleverdon, Douglas. person
associatedWith Cochran, Charles Blake, Sir, 1872?-1951. person
associatedWith Curtiss, Mina Kirstein, 1896-1985, person
associatedWith Foley, Donald L. person
associatedWith Foley, Katharine person
associatedWith Fontanne, Lynn. person
associatedWith Fraser, Claud Lovat, 1890-1921. person
associatedWith Fraser, Grace Lovat. person
correspondedWith Gannett, Lewis, 1891-1966 person
associatedWith Gish, Lillian, 1893-1993 person
associatedWith Goetz, Ruth person
associatedWith Gordon, Ruth, 1896-1985 person
correspondedWith Guinness, Sir, Alec, 1914-2000 person
associatedWith Hodgson, Ralph, 1871-1962. person
associatedWith Irons, Evelyn, 1900- person
associatedWith Jackson, Holbrook, 1874-1948. person
associatedWith James B. Pinker and Son. corporateBody
associatedWith J. C. Trewin, 1908-1990 person
correspondedWith Kanin, Garson, 1912-1999 person
associatedWith King, Francis Henry. person
associatedWith Lunt, Alfred. person
correspondedWith Marquand, John P. (John Phillips), 1893-1960 person
associatedWith Maugham, Robin, 1916-1981. person
associatedWith Morand, Paul, 1888-1976. person
associatedWith Musgrave, Clifford, person
correspondedWith New Yorker Magazine, Inc corporateBody
associatedWith New York Times Company corporateBody
associatedWith Nicolson, Harold George, Sir, 1886-1968. person
associatedWith Nicolson, Nigel. person
correspondedWith Peake, Ernest Cromwell, 1874-1950 person
correspondedWith Peake, Mervyn Laurence, 1911-1968 person
correspondedWith Redgrave, Michael person
associatedWith Sackville-West, V. (Victoria), 1892-1962. person
associatedWith Selznick, Irene Mayer, 1907- person
associatedWith Shaw Program Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Sitwell, Osbert, 1892-1969. person
associatedWith Smyth, Ethel, 1858-1944. person
associatedWith Spaull, Guy. person
associatedWith West, Rebecca, 1892-1983. person
associatedWith Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Rochester ENG GB
Subject
Authors, English
English drama
Women authors, English
Women authors, English
Women dramatists, English
Occupation
Authors
Authors, English
Dramatists
Dramatists, English
Novelist, English
Women authors, English
Women dramatists, English
Women novelists, English
Activity

Person

Birth 1889-10-27

Death 1981-03-31

Female

English

English

Information

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