Collection inventory

Overview of the Collection
Creator:	Noyes, Alfred, 1880-1958.
Title:	Alfred Noyes Papers
Inclusive Dates:	1900-1948
Quantity:	45 items (SC)
Abstract:	Papers of the British poet. Subject file contains a five-page holograph and a six-page typescript for 'A talk with Alfred Noyes,' a piece which appeared in the Book Window in 1932. Also, page proofs with Noyes' additions and corrections, and a portrait of Noyes dated 1915 by a photographer named Chickering. Outgoing correspondence of a business nature, in which Noyes thanks editors for favorable reviews or solicits critiques of his work. Many of the letters contain Noyes' discussion of his own work at the time of writing or in relation to his previous output. Letters to W.S. Braithwaite, Edward B. Osborn, Clement King Shorter, Arthur Waugh, and others. Writings include a holograph manuscript of 'The Touchstone series,' a selection of four poems, with corrections and annotations.
Language:	English
Repository:	Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Alfred Noyes (1880-1958) was an English poet. Born in Wolverhampton, he attended Exeter College, Oxford and later taught English at Princeton University (1914-1923). He published his first book of poetry, The Loom Years, in 1902, followed quickly by five more between 1903 and 1908; his autobiography, Two Worlds for Memory, was published in 1953.

Perhaps Noyes' best-known work is the ballad-poem "The Highwayman," which begins, "The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees / The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas / The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor / And the highwayman came riding -- riding -- riding / The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door." The poem has been set to music twice, adapted as a historical novel, and used as a music video.

Return to top

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Alfred Noyes Papers consist of a Subject File, Correspondence, and Writings.

The Subject File contains a five-page holograph manuscript and a six-page typescript with extensive corrections and additions for an article which appeared in The Book Window in 1932. In addition there are three items of correspondence in connection with the publication of the piece, "A Talk with Alfred Noyes," including one letter to Editor Roy and two letters to the interviewer, H. C. Shelley. Enclosed also are the proof pages for the article with Noyes' corrections and additions and a portrait of Noyes dated 1915 by photographer Chickering.

Correspondence consists entirely of outgoing letters dated between 1900 and 1948. Most of the individual correspondents are unidentified, as Noyes began most of his letters "Dear Sir" rather than using the surname. The majority of the letters are of a business nature in which Noyes thanks editors for favorable reviews or solicits critiques of his work. Some of the correspondence includes favorable replies for requests to publish Noyes' work in newspapers or anthologies. Many of the letters contain Noyes' discussion of his own work at the time of writing or in relation to his previous output. The correspondence also includes acceptances of lecture invitations and agreements to requests to put his poetry to music.

Writings include a holograph manuscript of "The Touchstone series," a selection of four poems with a notation that "Touchstone on a Bus" was intended to precede the grouping. Also included are "The Great North Road" and "The Lights of Home."

Return to top

Arrangement of the Collection

All items are arranged alphabetically.

Return to top

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Return to top

Subject Headings

Persons

Subjects

Genres and Forms

Occupations

Return to top

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Alfred Noyes Papers,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Finding Aid Information

Created by: KM
Date: Aug 1987
Revision history: 19 Mar 2008 - converted to EAD (MRC)

Return to top

Inventory

	Subject file
SC 30		"A Talk With Alfred Noyes" - biographical portrait
SC 30		Photograph by Chickering 1915

	Correspondence
SC 30		Braithwaite, William Stanley Nov. 22, 1906 (1 letter)
SC 30		Kennedy, Arthur Clark Sept. 20, 1925 (1 letter)
SC 30		Osborn, Edward Bolland Aug. 19, 1936 (1 letter)
SC 30		Owlett, Frederick Charles May 30, 1923 (1 letter)
SC 30		Shorter, Clement King Apr. 15, 1910 (1 letter)
SC 30		Waugh, Arthur Sept. 1910 (2 letters)
SC 30		Miscellaneous 1900-1948, undated (29 letters)

	Writings
SC 30		"The Great North Road" - 2-page holograph poem with corrections
SC 30		"The Lights of Home" - 1-page holograph poem, "copied for Talbot Aldrich...June 4, 1913"
SC 30		"Touchstone series" - 11-page holograph ms.
			"Touchstone on a Bus" "The New Duckling" "The Man who Discovered the Use of a Chair" "Cotton Wool" "Fashions"

Return to top