University of Bradford >> Library >> Special Collections >> J.B. Priestley Archive

The J.B. Priestley Archive

• J.B. Priestley.
• The Archive and the Book Collection.
• Links.

J.B. Priestley

Writer, broadcaster and critic J.B. Priestley (1894-1984) may be best known for his "time plays", such as "An Inspector Calls", for enduringly popular novels like "The Good Companions" and "Angel Pavement" and for his wartime broadcasts, the "Postscripts". However, he also wrote essays, autobiography, social history and time theory. Priestley was active in politics, although never a member of any party, expressing his concerns (for instance about the nuclear arms race) through commentary and campaigning. Born and brought up in Bradford, Priestley's Yorkshire background is used in some of his finest works, such as "Bright Day" and "When we are married". His connections with the city were later marked by the statue near Central Library and the naming of the J.B. Priestley Library at the University of Bradford, which was he officially opened in 1975. The University awarded him the title of honorary Doctor of Letters in 1970, and he was awarded the freedom of the City of Bradford in 1973 and the Order of Merit in 1977.

The Archive and the Book Collection

The J.B. Priestley Archive is one of the largest and most popular of the Special Collections at Bradford. Most of the material has been kindly donated by the Priestley Estate from the 1990s and ongoing.  It includes scripts of plays, films and TV broadcasts, journal articles, lectures, press cuttings, theatre programmes and other publicity material, business and personal correspondence and a huge collection of photographs. There are even personal effects, such as Priestley's iconic pipes. Priestley was an enthusiastic painter and one of his works, a gouache of Ullswater, is on display in the Special Collections Reading Room (thanks to the J.B. Priestley Society for the loan of this painting).

Further information about the Archive:

• Collection description (PDF format).
• Collection description (on the Library catalogue).
• Interim Handlist - June 2008 version just added (PDF format).

Special Collections also has a superb collection of published books by and about Priestley. The author himself donated a set of his works published by Heron Books in the 1960s, which has been supplemented by many works donated by the Priestley Estate and various individuals.  The book collections includes novels, essays, plays, pamphlets and works of biography and history. We also include volumes to which he contributed a preface or an article, and biographies. Many of our books are first editions, some signed; we also collect later editions, translations, paperbacks and audio-visual material.

• Library catalogue

Links

• The official Priestley web site, including biography and bibliography.
• The J.B. Priestley Society was founded in 1997. It aims to widen the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Priestley's literary and other published works; to promote the study of his life and career, and to provide the members of the Society with opportunities to share experiences and knowledge. Society activities include events, days out, talks, annual lectures, seminars, publishing and the promotion of public performances of Priestley's plays. New members are always welcome.
• The Archive of Jacquetta Hawkes Special Collections also holds the papers of this well-known archaeologist and author, Priestley's third wife.

 

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