The Library of Leonard and Virginia Woolf: A Short-Title Catalog - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0874222702 ISBN 13: 9780874222708

Publisher: Washington State University Press, 2004

Synopsis

As a representation of the Woolfs' personal library, the Leonard and Virginia Woolf Collection at Washington State University reveals valuable biographical information about the Woolfs and about writers and artists associated with the Bloomsbury Group. The Library of Leonard and Virginia Woolf: A Short-title Catalog consists of brief citations that reflect all the titles within this WSU collection. Arranged in alphabetical order by author or title, the entries include an edition statement, printing or impression statement, publisher, and publication date and location. Initials are provided for annotators, inscribers, illustrators, and binders.

About this title

From the Publisher

"I owe all the education I ever had to my father’s library, and so perhaps endow libraries with more divinity than I should."—Virginia Woolf

Internationally recognized, Virginia Woolf is regarded as one of the most significant and influential feminist writers of the twentieth century. Her own library began with her father’s books, many much read and loved, which she inherited following his death. When she married, those titles were combined with others from her husband’s work and studies. The couple continued to expand the library throughout their lives.

In 1967, while on a family vacation in England, John Elwood, at the time Chair of the Department of English at Washington State University, stopped for gas in Rodmell. He learned that Leonard Woolf still lived there in his Monks House residence. With the help of a local book store owner, Elwood arranged a visit. A few years later, those initial contacts resulted in the acquisition of the personal libraries of Leonard Woolf from his residences in Rodmell and London, England.

The collection housed at Washington State University now consists of more than 6,000 volumes, and incorporates the major portion of the Woolfs’ personal library. It offers valuable insight regarding their childhood, education, interests, how they read the books, and what they meant to them, and presents evidence of their wide circle of acquaintances in both the literary and political arenas of their day, especially the authors and artists of the Bloomsbury Group.

Unique features include rare works written and published many years before Leonard and Virginia were born, items such as letters and manuscripts inserted between pages, volumes which were repaired and rebound by Virginia, various editions of books written by Leonard and Virginia, bookplates designed by Virginia, and scarce, early editions published by the Hogarth Press, all meticulously documented in this new reference volume.

"The Woolf library is a rich resource, a legacy worth using and preserving from two of the most prolific and influential writers and thinkers of the twentieth century."—Diane Gillespie, Professor Emeritus of English, Washington State University

About the Author

Professor of English at Washington State University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Washington State University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0874222702
• ISBN 13: 9780874222708
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272
• Editor: King Julia, Miletic-Vejzovic Laila