The Leavises: Recollections and Impressions

by Denys Thompson

Overview

F. R. Leavis died in 1978 and his wife Q. D. Leavis in 1981, and with their deaths ended one of the most productive and influential literary partnerships in the language. This volume is a collection of reminiscences by people who knew Queenie Leavis as fellow students at Girton, were early pupils of Frank Raymon Leavis, collaborated in the editing of Scrutiny, or were colleagues or friends later. The collection, which is illustrated, is full of rich and fresh biographical information. Since it covers such a wide span, it brings out the contrast between the young couple at the beginning of their careers, good-looking, hopeful and confident; and the embattled veterans in seemingly endless conflict even with their friends and supporters. It also suggests the mercurial nature of both, since they could seem so widely different to different people, and to the very end both could exert formidable charm. Denys Thompson, who edited this volume, was an early pupil of Leavis's, and collaborated with him on Culture and Environment in the 1930s.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521129152
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/04/2010
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Denys Thompson; 2. Queenie at Girton Gwendolen Freeman; 3. 6, Chesterton Hall Crescent, and the early years Mary Pitter; 4. 'Nor shall my sword': the Leavises' mythology M. C. Bradbrook; 5. Teacher and friend Denys Thompson; 6. Charisma? Raymond O'Malley; 7. F. R. Leavis: a memoir Sebastian Moore; 8. Scrutiny and F. R. L.: a personal memoir L. C. Knights; 9. On being F. R. Leavis's publisher Ian Parsons; 10. The long pursuit Michael Black; 11. Round and about the Pelican Guide to English Literature Boris Ford; 12. Seeing a man running Raymond Williams; 13. Taking tea with Mrs Leavis Nora Crook; 14. Some recollections of the Leavises Michael Tanner; 15. F. R. Leavis and the schools Frank Whitehead; 16. F. R. Leavis and the sources of hope David Holbrook; 17. Leavis: an appreciation John Harvey; Note: Leavis at school; 18. No compromise D. W. Harding; Contributors; Index.