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Sansom, William, 1912-1976

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1912 - 1976

Biography

William Sansom (1912-1972) was English author of short stories, novels, and travel books.

William Sansom was born January 17, 1912, in London, England. He was born Norman Trevor Sansom but was called William throughout his life. A writer known for his sketches of London life, he first received recognition for his magazine articles relating his experience as a fireman in London during WWII. Sansom's first novel, "The Body," was published in 1949. In 1951, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 1954, Sansom married actress Ruth Grund. Sansom died in London on April 20, 1976.

Citation:
Jim Braidy, 1943.

Oxford DNB WWW site, Jan. 8, 2013(Sansom, William; b. Jan. 18, 1912, Dulwich, London; d. St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, Apr. 21, 1976; writer)

Times (London, England), Apr. 21, 1976:p. 18 (William Sansom; b. Jan. 18, 1912; registered as Norman Trevor but adopted the name William at a later date; d. yesterday [Apr. 20, 1976), aged 64; novelist and short-story writer, at his best when drawing on London life and scenes)

FamilySearch, accessed February 12, 2024 (Known for sketches of London life; First received critical recognition for magazine articles based on his experience as a fireman in London during WWII. First novel, "The Body," was published in 1949) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS2V-D9VN-2?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ59L-5HY7&action=view

Wikipedia, accessed February 12, 2024, (1951 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature; 1954, married actress Ruth Grundy; born Norman Trevor Sansom) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sansom

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

William Sansom autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230312859]
Identifier: MSS SC 1532
Scope and Contents

Holograph of an unpublished short story, "The Countess," on 13 loose foolscap pages. The work includes revisions and deletions and was the last the author completed. Autobiographical material is contained in a quarto notebook. In is handwritten and includes revisions, deletions and marginal notes.

Dates: 1976

William Sansom book draft

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230313295]
Identifier: MSS SC 1566
Scope and Contents

Typed manuscript of an essay entitled "Christmas in Germany." The item describes the peculiar customs and celebrations at Christmastime in Germany including its Protestant aspects, Catholic aspects, and pre-Christian traditions.

Dates: 1970

William Sansom correspondence

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 655
Scope and Contents

Holograph letters and postcards; printed book (photocopy). Collection consists of correspondence written to Diana Graves concerning his health, methods of composition, and other personal matters. Includes a photocopy of his The Get Well Quick Coloring Book.

Dates: 1968-1974

William Sansom papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1977
Scope and Contents

Fifteen typewritten short stories with handwritten corrections, a script for a television play, essays, photographs, and articles. The materials document some of Sansom's writing career.

Dates: 1969-1972

William Sansom screenplay and letters

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230313287]
Identifier: MSS SC 1567
Scope and Contents A typescript screenplay of "The Wonderful Adventures of Hlapich," a screenplay by Slavko Adres based on the 1969 children's novel, "The Brave Adventures of Lapitch" by Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić. Other contributors to the screenplay include Patrick Gowers (music composer), William Sansom (lyrics), Claude Heilman (executive producer), and Miriam Brickman (producer). The screenplay is annotated. There are also two letters included addressed to William Sansom, one from Miriam Brickman regarding the...
Dates: approximately 1969-1972

Additional filters:

Subject
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 4
Literature 4
Drafts (Documents) 2
Letters 2
Articles 1