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Biography

Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) was a British poet and writer whose work was strongly influenced by World War I. Sassoon, commissioned in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1915, served in France and was awarded the MC for bravery under fire. He was wounded in 1917 and, during his convalescence, began his critique of the conduct of the war. Sassoon believed that the war had become one of aggression and conquest rather than defense and liberation, sentiments articulated in his letter of protest read before the House of Commons 15 June 1917 and published in the London Times the following day. It was during this time that he wrote the war poems "The Old Huntsman" (1917) and "Counter Attack" (1918). Late in life, he converted to the Roman Catholic church and wrote the spiritual anthology, The Path to Peace (1960), printed and published by the nuns of Stanbrook Abbey.

Scope and Content

Autograph letter signed from Siegfried Sassoon to Frank P. Harris. Sassoon writes that "Poems 1906' was printed for me by J. & E. Francis "The Athenaeum Press" - printers of 'Notes & Queries.' About 50 copies were circulated privately. I have no copy myself but I remember that the book had an absurd blue satin 'tie'. The contents are, of course, quite worthless as poetry. I hope this letter will serve as a substitute for my autograph. Yours very truly, Siegfried Sassoon." The letter is date 18 June 1929.

This letter was originally tipped in to Sassoon's The Daffodil Murderer, published under the pseudonym Saul Kain, listed under related material below.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Preferred Citation

Siegfried Sassoon Letter (MS 126), University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Special Collections Dept.

Processing Information

Machine-readable finding aid created by Susan Guinn-Chipman, April, 2008.

Acquisition Information

Found in "The Daffodil Murderer," listed in the bibliography.

Access Terms

Harris, Frank P. -- Correspondence

Poets, english -- 20th century -- Correspondence

Sassoon, Siegfried, 1887-1967 -- Correspondence

University of Colorado Boulder. University Libraries. Special Collections Department.

Bibliography

Kain, Saul. [Siegfried Sassoon]. "The Daffodil Murderer. Being the Chantrey Prize Poem." With autograph letter signed, MS 126. [London]: John Richmond, 1913. PR6037 A86 D34.

Sassoon, Siegfried. An Adjustment by S.S. with a foreword by Philip Gosse. Limited edition. Number 62/150 with authors' initials. Royston, Hertfordshire: The Golden Head Press, 1955. PR6037 A86 A63 1955.

Sassoon, Siegfried. "Arbor Vitae" and "Unfoldment" from The Path to Peace. [n.p.]. PR 6037 A86 A72 1960a.

Sassoon, Siegfried. Letters to a Critic. With an introduction and notes by Michael Thorpe. Limited edition. Number 313 of 420. London: John Roberts Press; Kent: Bridge, 1976. PR6037 A86Z53 1976.

Sassoon, Siegfried. "Nativity," The Ariel Poems. No. 7. Designs by Paul Nash. c. 1 & 2. London: Faber and Faber, [n.d.]. Gift of Muriel V. Sibell with hand drawn book plate reading, "Little Theatre Gift 1930 from the directors George Reynolds, Francis Wolle, Mabel Reynolds, and E. J. West." PR1225 A7 no. 7.

Sassoon, Siegfried. The Old Century and seven more years. 1st edition. London: Faber and Faber, 1938. Gift of Samuel Goldman. PR6037 A86 Z5 1938.

Sassoon, Siegfried.The Path to Peace. Selected Poems by Siegfried Sassoon. Limited edition. Number 129/500. Worcester: Stanbrook Abbey Press, 1960. PR6037 A86 A6 1960.

Sassoon, Siegfried. "Prehistoric Burials by Siegfried Sassoon, with drawings by Witold Gordon. "This is number one. The Borzoi Chap Books." New York: Alfred A Knopf; Pynson Printers. Gift of Francis and Muriel S. Wolle. PR6037 A86 P7 1932.

Sassoon, Siegfried. "To the Red Rose," The Ariel Poems. No. 34. No. 333/400 signed by Sassoon. London: Faber and Faber. PR 1225 A7 no. 34.

Sassoon, Siegfried. The Weald of Youth. 1st ed. London: Faber and Faber, [1942]. Gift of Samuel Goldman. PR6037 A86 Z474 1942.