Bates, H.E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974

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Resident of Kent, England.

From the description of Letters, 1930-1968. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 34122419

Bates was an English writer and novelist.

From the description of [Letters to] Miss. Heilburn / H. E. Bates. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 156913081

English author.

From the description of In view of the fact that ... : [n.p.] : autograph manuscript signed of the short story, 1926? Mar. 6 [in a publisher's note]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270129887

From the description of Herbert Ernest Bates letters, 1950. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 63936542

English short-story writer and novelist.

From the description of Now sleeps the crimson petal, 1952-1974. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122486891

H.E. Bates was a prolific English author who achieved both popular success and critical acclaim. Born in Rushden, Northamptonshire, he was an indifferent student until inspired by a teacher to appreciate literature, but turned down a chance to attend Cambridge University. He went on to work odd jobs, supporting himself with periodical publications, before finding success as a novelist. He averaged almost a novel per year for almost fifty years, and also wrote a substantial amount of acclaimed short fiction and verse. Bates' work is distinguished by his interest in rural themes, his mistrust of industrialization, and his preference for character and setting over plot; he was perhaps best known for his World War II propaganda tales of bomber pilots, published anonymously as Flying Officer X.

From the description of H.E. Bates letter to Dear Clayton, 1930 Jan. 26. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 85869664

Author.

From the description of H.E. Bates literary manuscript, 1928. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79453998

From the description of Papers 1926-1932. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 703895211

From the description of Letters, 1968-1980. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 703889289

English short-story writer.

From the description of The Tree, 1926. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122605770

Herbert Ernest Bates (later known to his friends and wife as 'H.E') was born in Rushton, Northamptonshire on 16 May 1905. He received his education at Kettering Grammar School and when he left at the age of sixteen he became, first, a clerk and then a provincial journalist. His first novel, The Two Sisters , was published in 1926 by Jonathan Cape after being rejected by 9 other publishers. By 1931, Cape had published three further novels.

In 1941, the Royal Air Force recruited Bates as a short story writer under the pseudonym of 'Flying Officer X'. This work included, The Greatest People in the World (1942) and Fair Stood the Wind for France . The latter was published by Michael Joseph who was to be his publisher for the rest of his life.

The Darling Buds of May (1959) began a popular series of earthy novels set in a rural context and for this work, he may be best remembered. His acclaimed autobiography was published in three volumes: The Vanished World (1969), The Blossoming World (1971) and The World in Ripeness (1972). Bates died in Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent on 29 January 1974.

From the guide to the Bates, Herbert Ernest, 1926, (Senate House Library, University of London)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. H.E. Bates literary manuscript, 1928. Library of Congress
creatorOf Bates, Herbert Ernest, 1926 Senate House Library (University of London)
referencedIn Manuscripts and proofs of New Directions books, 1937-1997. Houghton Library
referencedIn Graywolf Press Archives, 1978-2010 University of Minnesota Libraries. Literary Manuscripts Collection, Manuscripts Division. [mss]
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. In view of the fact that ... : [n.p.] : autograph manuscript signed of the short story, 1926? Mar. 6 [in a publisher's note]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Leonard Russell Letters TXRC97-A0., 1945-1972, (bulk 1948-1960) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn John Hall Papers, 1950-1997. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
referencedIn John Pudney Papers TXRC95-A1., 1850-1977, (bulk 1926-1976) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Pudney, John, 1909-1977. Papers, 1850-1977 (bulk 1926-1976). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Alan Steele: Letters to him, 20th century Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. [Letters to] Miss. Heilburn / H. E. Bates. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Donald and Katharine Foley Collection of Penguin Books, post 1965 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Dyment, Clifford, 1914-1971. Papers, 1939-1970. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. H.E. Bates letter to Dear Clayton, 1930 Jan. 26. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Kaye Webb Collection, 1925-1994 Seven Stories, the Centre for Children's Books
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. Papers 1926-1932. Indiana University
creatorOf Russell, Leonard, 1906-. Letters, 1945-1972 (bulk 1948-1960). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. Now sleeps the crimson petal, 1952-1974. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn English literature mss., 1901-1950 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. Letters, 1968-1980. Indiana University
referencedIn Donald and Katharine Foley Collection of Penguin Books, 1935-1965 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. Letters, 1930-1968. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Papers of Leonard Arthur Pavey, 1916-1953 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections
creatorOf Bates, Herbert Ernest, 1905-. Herbert Ernest Bates letters, 1950. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Hall, John (John Clifford), 1925-. John Hall papers, 1950-1997. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. Letter, 1934 Nov. 23, Ashford, [Eng.], to Mr. Rugg. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. The Tree, 1926. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Cleverdon mss. II, 1926-1988 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Mildred Louise Boie Saunders Papers MS 247., 1914-1990, 1928-1960 Sophia Smith Collection
referencedIn Huebsch, B. W. (Benjamin W.), 1876-1964. B. W. Huebsch records, 1909-1963. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
referencedIn Animal Rights and Animal Welfare Pamphlets, 1874-1952 North Carolina State University. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Bates, H. E. (Herbert Ernest), 1905-1974. A threshing day for Esther / H.E. Bates. Texas A&M University, Evans Library & Annex; Main campus library complex
referencedIn J.M. Dent & Sons records University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Clayton, Douglas, b. ca. 1890, person
associatedWith Cleverdon, Douglas. person
associatedWith Dyment, Clifford, 1914-1971. person
associatedWith Foley, Donald L. person
associatedWith Foley, Katharine person
associatedWith Foley, Katharine person
associatedWith Garnett family. family
associatedWith Graywolf Press corporateBody
associatedWith Hall, John (John Clifford), 1925- person
associatedWith Heilbrun, Carolyn G., 1926-2003, person
correspondedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Huebsch, B. W. (Benjamin W.), 1876-1964. person
associatedWith J.M. Dent & Sons. corporateBody
associatedWith John and Edward Bumpus Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Melhado, Frederick, person
associatedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith Pavey, Leonard Arthur, 1888- person
associatedWith Pudney, John, 1909-1977 person
associatedWith Rugg, Harold Goddard, 1883-1957. person
associatedWith Russell, Leonard, 1906- person
associatedWith Saunders, Mildred Louise (Boie), 1907- person
associatedWith Steele, Alan person
associatedWith Webb, Kaye person
Place Name Admin Code Country
England
Subject
Publishers and publishing
Authors, English
Authors, English
English literature
Literature
Male authors, English
Trees in literature
Occupation
Authors
Activity

Person

Birth 1905-05-16

Death 1974-01-29

Britons

English

Information

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