Donagh MacDonagh papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OU-SC-MACDONAGH

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

The Donagh MacDonagh papers consist of correspondence, manuscripts, and miscellany covering the years 1936-1968.

The Correspondence series contains letters MacDonagh received from fellow writers and friends, including 16 letters from T.S. Eliot. Many of these letters concern MacDonagh's publication efforts for his poetry and his ongoing dialogue with Eliot, which spanned nearly twenty years.

The Writings series includes corrected typescripts of two of MacDonagh’s plays; corrected proofs of a volume of poetry; and a typescript of an English translation of Max Brod’s theater adaptation of Franz Kafka’s novel, The Castle. Also of interest is MacDonagh's thesis on “TS Eliot as Poet” (1939). The thesis includes marginal notes by Eliot, as MacDonagh sent Eliot the copy for his review.

The Loose Materials series contains items originally laid-in to items in MacDonagh's personal library, which were removed and set aside at some point following the collection's original acquisition. Items in this series include news clippings, poems, programs, and MacDonagh's typewritten reviews of plays and publications.

These papers are a portion of the much larger Donagh MacDonagh Collection of Irish Modernism. The collection consists of portions of MacDonagh’s personal library of some 150 books, which contains many first editions; and imprints of the Cuala Press and Dolmen Press.

Dates

1936 - 1963

Access and Use note

The Donagh MacDonagh papers are open for research.

Copyright

Copyright has not been transferred to Oakland University. Researchers are responsible for seeking copyright permissions before publishing items from the collection.

Biographical note

Donagh MacDonagh (1912-1968) was a noted Irish playwright, poet, broadcaster, and judge. A graduate of University College Dubin, MacDonagh was involved in the Irish Modernism movement and maintained profession and personal relationships with many authors of the period, including Austin Clarke, Padraic Colum, Thomas Kinsella, Brian O'Nolan, Niall Sheridan, and others.

MacDonagh published three volumes of poetry, and wrote and produced several plays (most notably the play Happy As Larry in 1946). He also wrote for the radio and produced the "Ireland Is Singing" program through Radio Eireann. His professional career included many years in law, as MacDonagh was called to the bar in 1935; he worked as a judge from 1941 until his death.

Much of MacDonagh's work shows a deep interest in the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. His father Thomas MacDonagh (poet, playwright, and Irish nationalist) was executed for his involvement, serving as one of the seven military leaders of the uprising.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, manuscripts, and personal library of Donagh MacDonagh (1912-1968), Irish playwright, poet, broadcaster, and judge.

Acquisition

The papers were purchased as a part of the Donagh MacDonagh Collection of Irish Literature by Oakland University's Kresge Library in 1968.

Separated Materials

The collection contains about 200 print books and pamphlets, predominantly from 1900-1960s; correspondence between MacDonagh and editors of literary journals (notably T.S. Eliot of The Criterion); corrected proofs and typescripts of some of MacDonagh’s poetry and plays; and Irish literary periodicals. Many of the print books and pamphlets bear ownership marks, as well as inscriptions and notes from their authors.

Books from Donagh MacDonagh's personal library were separated and integrated into the rare books and periodicals collection in the 1970s, and have since been returned to their original provenance as a singular collection. Irish periodicals, acquired at the same time as the rest of MacDonagh's library, were separated out as well and integrated into the rare books and periodicals collection.

Additional misccellany within the collection are notes, newsclippings, and letters that were (or still are) laid into individual collection items. These materials evidence MacDonagh's collaborations and correspondence with fellow authors and scholars, both professional and personal.