A Preliminary Inventory of Her A. A. (Alan Alexander) Milne Collection at the Harry Ransom
Center
Creator:
Thwaite, Ann
Title:
Ann Thwaite Collection of A. A. (Alan
Alexander) Milne
Dates:
1905-2004
Extent:
3 boxes (1.26 linear feet)
Abstract:
The Ann Thwaite Collection of A. A. (Alan
Alexander) Milne contains materials almost entirely related to the development of
Thwaite’s
A. A. Milne: His Life, including correspondence between Thwaite and Milne family, friends,
acquaintances, and critics.
Call Number:
Manuscript Collection MS-05059
Language:
English
Access:
Open for research. Researchers must create an online Research Account and agree to
the
Materials Use Policy before using archival materials.
Use Policies:
Ransom Center collections may contain material with sensitive or confidential information
that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers
are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable
living
individuals represented in the collections without the consent of those individuals
may have
legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy
may
arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be
deemed
highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the Ransom Center and The University
of
Texas at Austin assume no responsibility.
Restrictions on Use:
Authorization for publication is given on behalf of the University of Texas as the
owner of
the collection and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder
which must be obtained by the researcher. For more information please see the Ransom
Centers' Open Access and Use Policies.
The Ann Thwaite Collection of A. A. (Alan Alexander) Milne contains materials almost
entirely related to the development of Thwaite’s A. A. Milne: His Life (Faber, 1990.) Over
half of the collection is correspondence between Thwaite and Milne family, friends,
acquaintances, and critics, documenting an exhaustive search by Thwaite from the very
beginning of her research. Notable among this correspondence are over two dozen letters
from
Christopher Milne, a major, albeit ambivalent, source for the project. Thwaite’s October
4,
1984 letter to Christopher documents her recognition of his reluctance, and although
she won
him over, later correspondence shows him to waver in his level of enthusiasm, at times
sending source materials and at other times describing his home to be “extremely stoney”
soil for further research. Additional correspondents include Barbara Milne, John Milne,
Tony
Milne, and Marjorie Murray-Rust, as well as dozens of others writing with various
purpose,
including research queries relating to topics regarding Milne’s life and work, legal
matters
relating to publication, and later, relating to reception of the biography. Drafts
of
letters by Thwaite are located throughout the correspondence, as are approximately
fifty
pages of notes taken by Thwaite during interviews. Additional research materials include
photocopied Milne family correspondence, photos, wills, and birth certificates, as
well as
many newspaper clippings and notices of Winnie the Pooh related events.
Related Material
Additional A. A. Milne materials at the Ransom Center are located in the A. A. (Alan
Alexander) Milne Collection.
Separated Material
Three audio cassette tapes containing interviews of Milne’s family and close friends
were
transferred to the Ransom Center Sound Recordings, and a copy of A. A. Milne His Life
was
transferred to the Ransom Center Book Collection.
