HUGHES, TED, 1930-1998.
Letters to Edna Wholey, circa 1947-1951

Emory University

Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library

Atlanta, GA 30322

404-727-6887

rose.library@emory.edu

Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8zgb1

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998.
Title: Letters to Edna Wholey, circa 1947-1951
Call Number:Manuscript Collection No. 870
Extent: .25 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:Letters from English poet Ted Hughes to Edna Wholey from ca. 1947 to 1951.
Language:Materials entirely in English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction. Special restrictions also apply: writings by Ted Hughes (letters and literary works) and photographs may not be reproduced without the written permission of Carol Hughes.

Related Materials in This Repository

Ted Hughes papers

Source

Purchase, 2000.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Ted Hughes, Letters to Edna Wholey, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Processed by Melissa H. Maday, August, 2001.

This finding aid may include language that is offensive or harmful. Please refer to the Rose Library's harmful language statement for more information about why such language may appear and ongoing efforts to remediate racist, ableist, sexist, homophobic, euphemistic and other oppressive language. If you are concerned about language used in this finding aid, please contact us at rose.library@emory.edu.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Edna Wholey is the sister of John Wholey, one of English poet Ted Hughes' friends from Mexborough Grammar School. Edna Wholey met Ted Hughes in 1941, when he was 11 years old (she was then 14) and he visited her family regularly for the next ten years. The Wholey family lived on Crookhill Estate, where the father was the head gardener and gamekeeper for the estate.

Edna Wholey is the sister of John Wholey, one of English poet Ted Hughes' friends from Mexborough Grammar School. Edna Wholey met Ted Hughes in 1941, when he was 11 years old (she was then 14) and he visited her family regularly for the next ten years. The Wholey family lived on Crookhill Estate, where the father was the head gardener and gamekeeper for the estate.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists primarily of correspondence from Ted Hughes to Edna Wholey from ca. 1947-1951. Although the collection contains a few pieces of Hughes' early writing, it is mainly comprised of his letters to Wholey while he was performing his National Service in the Royal Air Force. These letters are dated using the available dates for his period of military service. They contain stories of his experiences in the Royal Air Force, his yearning for home and family, and his affection for Edna. The last letter in the collection contains a poem Hughes wrote for Edna and her husband in honor of their wedding, although she recounts that he was opposed to the marriage.

The collection also contains Wholey's 10-page reminiscence "Ted and Crookhill," which she penned in July 2000. Additionally, the collection includes several photographs of Crookhill Estate, as well as 1947 photographs of Hughes alone, and with his brother, Gerald.

Arrangement Note

Arranged in chronological order.

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Container List

Correspondence
Box Folder Content
1 1 Reminiscence: "Ted and Crookhill," 2000 July 30, MS, 10 pp., by Edna Wholey Chilton
1 2 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [1947-1948], AL, 2 pp.
1 3 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [1949], ALS, 5 pp.
1 4 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [spring 1950], ALS, 2 pp.
1 5 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [1950-1951], ALS, 4 pp.
1 6 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [1950-1951], ALS, 2 pp.
1 7 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [1950-1951], ALS 5 pp.
1 8 Hughes, Ted to Wholey, [1951], ALS, 5 pp. w/ untitled manuscript (Edna with her wit...), which Hughes wrote for Wholey on the occasion of her marriage
Writings by Ted Hughes
1 9 "My Home", [1947-1948], AM, 3 pp.
1 10 "O lean dry man with your thin withered feet...," [1947-1948], AMS, 2pp. Includes the inscription: "To Edna, who was in at the beginning" and a pen-and-ink sketch of an owl
Photographs
1 11 Ted and Gerald Hughes, 1947
1 12 Ted Hughes, 1947
1 13 Crookhill Hall and Crookhill Lodge, [1941]-1947, n.d. (3 images)
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