Emily Hale to Willard Thorp

Emily.Hale
WillardThorp
MS Princeton
Andover
July 20, ’57
Very warm.
Dear Willard,

I enclose what may or may not be of interest to you – but recalling that you were the principal speaker before the Thoreau Society, I thought perhaps there might be gleanings of interest. If not, forgive me for bothering you.

I am looking forward greatly to my week-end with you and Margaret – as it will be a relief in every way to get out of warm Andover, and the business of beginning to clear the rooms -:

IPrinceton Universityand EH's bequest;e8 must tell you both of the latest episode relating to the Eliot collection at Princeton. You may recall that I wrote an introduction to the collection while with you and M. – which I read to you both and received a happy endorsement from the two literary critics and friends.

SinceDix, William Shepherd;b4 then I have never been able to find the pencilled copy until early this week and there it was crumpled among other papers in a desk drawer. I re-copied it and to-day have one more of that unfailingly understanding courteous Mr Dix’s letters appreciating the introduction which I made even more personal and detailed than earlier - ; also I enclosed the last of T.S.E.’s letters – with the exception of one – which relate directly to the disposition of the letters to the University. I am especially glad I felt like finishing off the correspondence, because Mr Dix could read for himself T’s reaction and be relieved of his own sense of having brought difficulties upon me.

I cannot say enough of Mr D’s consideration of me, and have so made public acknowledgement in my memoirs, a few more details when I see you.

As time has passed since I [illegible] you abruptly into a consciousness of my going far away next year – I am less and less inclined for the venture for several reasons, and have made a new round of ‘contacts’ in other directions, in case I shall pick up a half time or full time position. My successor takes over there round September 2d. WhilePerkinses, the;n9 with you I must get in touch with some contemporary to-[illegible] age -friends of the Perkins – a very nice couple […]

Yours affectionately
Emily Hale
Dix, William Shepherd, acknowledges EH's bequest to Princeton, produces legal memorandum, objects to 50-year moratorium, suspected of reading letters, requested to write to TSE, writes to reassure, and is acknowledged, receives further material from EH, pushes again for shorter moratorium, which TSE again rejects, invited to petition TSE directly, supposed to write to TSE,

1.WilliamDix, William Shepherd Shepherd Dix (1910–78): Librarian, Princeton University, 1953–75. Having gained first degrees (BA and MA) at the University of Virginia, he earned a doctorate in American literature at the University of Chicago. After working first as a teacher and English instructor, he became Associate Professor of English and Librarian of Rice Institute, Houston, Texas (now Rice University), 1947–53. Resolutely opposed to censorship and intellectual constraint, he served as chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the American Library Association (ALA), 1951–3; chair of the International Relations Committee, 1955–60; and President of the ALA, 1969–70. In addition, he was Executive Secretary, 1957–9, and President, 1962–3, of the Association of Research Libraries. Recognised as one of the topmost figures in librarianship, he was honoured by the American Library Association with the Dewey Medal, 1969, and the Lippincott Award, 1971.

Perkinses, the, likely to be interested in An Adventure, compared to Mary Ware, enjoyable dinner at the Ludlow with, take to TSE, TSE desires parental intimacy with, their dinner-guests dismissed by TSE, who repents of seeming ingratitude, TSE confides separation plans to, too polite, questioned as companions for EH, offered English introductions, entertained on arrival in London, seek residence in Chichester, given introduction to G. C. Coulton, take house at Chipping Camden, as Chipping Campden hosts, given introduction to Bishop Bell, TSE entertains at Oxford and Cambridge Club, TSE's private opinion on, TSE encourages EH's independence from, their repressive influence on EH, buy TSE gloves for Christmas, sent Lapsang Souchong on arrival in England, invite TSE to Campden, move apartment, anticipate 1938 English summer, descend on EH in Northampton, and EH's wartime return to America, temporarily homeless, enfeebled, EH forwards TSE teenage letter to, their health, which is a burden, approve EH's permanent Abbot position,
Princeton University, according to TSE's fantasy, TSE engaged to lecture at, and Ronald Bottrall, TSE on his trip to, its architecture, compared to Harvard and Yale, Alumni Weekly print TSE's More tribute, possible wartime lectures at, and Allen Tate, among American colleges, extends wartime invitation to TSE, invites TSE to conference, Johnson lectures revamped for, confers honorary degree on TSE, and TSE's Institute for Advanced Study position, EH's information on, and Herbert Read, and EH's bequest,