Philip Larkin
Sir: Philip Larkin's death at the end of last year was a deep grief to his family, his friends, to other poets and to librarian colleagues. But many who knew him only through his writings in both prose and verse also felt a keen sense of loss at his death and have written to his publisher, Hull University, the British Broadcasting Corporation, literary journals and news- papers to express their sorrow.
It seems there is a widespread desire to establish a more permanent memorial and we are writing to announce the setting-up of a 'Philip Larkin Memorial Appeal Fund' to commemorate his life and work. We propose to establish a fund, the interest from which will be used for two main purposes: 1) to buy, or subvent the purch- ase of, modern literary manuscripts for the libraries of the United Kingdom and Ire- land so that they can be preserved here and made available for future generations to study; and 2) to assist the University of Hull in its purpose of establishing a room in its library named for Philip Larkin devoted to housing a collection of his books, papers and other materials with
LETTERS
other similar rare and precious items already in the University's collections. The day-to-day administration of the memorial fund will be taken over later by the Friends of the National Libraries, advised by per- sons representing the fund. The Charity Commission and the local authority have been consulted.
We hope this memorial appeal fund will be strongly supported by Philip Larkin's friends, colleagues and readers. He himself did much to promote the preservation of literary manuscripts in the United King- dom generally through his chairmanship of the Arts Council's National Manuscript Committee from 1972 until its final dissolu- tion in 1984, and we believe the aims of the fund would have met with his approval.
Gifts and donations of money should preferably be sent to Mr B. C. Bloomfield, The Secretary, Philip Larkin Memorial Appeal Fund, at 14 Store Street, London WC1E 7DG or to the National Westmins- ter Bank, Bloomsbury Branch, Philip Lar- kin Memorial Appeal Fund, Account No 36113050, PO Box 158, 214 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BX. All donations will be recorded. Those who wish to covenant their gifts over a period of years should write to the Secretary, and a form of covenant will then be sent. A leaflet giving details of the appeal and a tear-off slip for any gifts is available from the Secretary for those who wish to give it further considera- tion.
Kingsley Amis Egremont Ted Hughes Andrew Motion Patrick Neill Wilberforce
Philip Larkin Memorial Fund, 14 Store Street, London WC1
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