Sydney Goodsir Smith Materials in the 'Jabberwock' Archive

The 'Jabberwock' Archive is particularly rich in materials relating to the poet Sydney Goodsir Smith.

Besides pieces by and about Smith submitted to The Jabberwock, there are papers connected to his campaign to be elected Rector of Edinburgh University in 1951. Ian F. Holroyd, founding editor of The Jabberwock, served as Smith's campaign manager, and the Archive contains a draft text for Smith's campaign leaflet, together with messages of support from other literary figures.

The shelfmark for all these items is E2015.15.

Materials by Smith

• ‘A Message from the Candidate’, TS of text for Smith’s campaign brochure when standing for the Rectorship of Edinburgh University in 1951
• ‘The World’s Winter’, TS of poem submitted to The Jabberwock

Materials by Other Authors

Hugh MacDiarmid

• Letter to Ian F. Holroyd, 17 October 1951, enclosing a message of support for inclusion in Smith’s rectorial campaign leaflet
• The Significance of Sydney Goodsir Smith’, TS of essay submitted to The Jabberwock

Compton Mackenzie

• Letter to Ian F. Holroyd, 19 October 1951, declining to send a message of support for Smith’s rectorial campaign, as two rival candidates have an equal claim on his loyalty

Edith Sitwell

• Letter to Ian F. Holroyd, 23 October 1951, enclosing a message of support for inclusion in Smith’s rectorial campaign leaflet

Douglas Young

• Letter to Ian F. Holroyd, 27 March 1963, applauding the Scottish Renaissance Society’s decision to present Smith with the Thomas Urquhart Award