Collection on Thomas Hardy and the Hardy Players

Collection

Identifier: MS-216

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Contents

This collection contains manuscripts, photographs, publications, and other material pertaining to Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet, and the Hardy Players, a group that performed adaptations of Hardy’s work. Materials document the production of stage adaptations made by A. H. Evans and T. H. Tilley of Thomas Hardy's novels and stories as well as the original works by Thomas Hardy. A substantial amount of programs and notes accompany the manuscripts which document performances, costume details, stage directions, and other related topics. Of additional significance are the numerous press clippings and publications pertaining to performances and the works of Thomas Hardy, photographs and sketches depicting Thomas Hardy, the Hardy Players, landscapes, and performances, and correspondence between T.H. Tilley, Mrs. Hardy, and others.

Dates

Creation: 1908-1971, undated
Creation: Majority of material found within 1908-1925

Creator

Evans, A. H. (Alfred Herbert) (Person)
Tilley, T. H. (Person)

Languages

The collection is in English.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Biographical Note

Thomas Hardy, 1840-1928, was an English novelist and poet best known for his novels such as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), and Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891). Most of Hardy’s fiction works were first published in serials and set in the semi-fictional region of Wessex. Hardy was considered a Victorian Realist and many of his works focused on the social constraints of life in Victorian England. The Hardy Players were a group that performed adaptations of novels by Thomas Hardy. Members of The Hardy Players originated from the Dramatic Section of the Old Dorchester Debating Society. The group mainly performed in Dorchester and London, but occasionally performed where the story was set.

Extent

2.94 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains manuscripts, programs, photographs, publications, and other materials pertaining to the English novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, and the Hardy Players, a group of performers. Included are manuscripts with programs and related material, photographs and sketches of individuals and performances, publications regarding performances and the works of Thomas Hardy, and correspondence.

Collection Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series as follows:

Series 1. Documents, 1908-1971, undated
Series 2. Press clippings, 1910-1925, undated
Series 3. Visual material, 1910-1928, undated

Acquisition Information

Purchased in 1972.

Processing History

Processed by Jamie Madrigal, Student Processing Assistant, 2016.

Processing of the Collection on Thomas Hardy and the Hardy papers was completed by undergraduate students from the University of California, Riverside as part of the Special Collections & University Archives Backlog Processing Project started in 2015. This project was funded by the UCR Library and administered by Bergis Jules, University and Political Papers Archivist, and Eric Milenkiewicz, Manuscripts Curator.