Dorset Archives Trust launches appeal for Sylvia Townsend Warner archive
Initiative to showcase works of renowned Dorset writer and LGBTQ+ pioneer
Dorset Archives Trust is leading a campaign to raise £48,000 for the cataloguing of Sylvia Townsend Warner's archive, aiming to celebrate and preserve a significant part of Dorset’s cultural heritage.
The extensive collection, housed at the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester, includes personal diaries, letters, photographs, and manuscripts that chronicle the life of the esteemed writer.
Born in Harrow, Warner spent most of her life in Dorset, residing in Chaldon Herring and Frome Vauchurch with her partner Valentine Ackland.
Their unique relationship was marked by bravery and defiance amidst societal challenges of the time.
Chris Fowler, Chair of Dorset Archives Trust, highlighted the importance of Warner’s archive in understanding Dorset life during the war and beyond.
Recent efforts to honor Warner's legacy include the unveiling of her statue in Dorchester town center following a campaign by Visible Women.
Tracy Chevalier, renowned author and patron of Dorset Archives Trust, praised the initiative, noting its role in making Warner's papers accessible and bringing the past to life.
As Sylvia Townsend Warner is considered one of Dorset’s literary treasures, the effort to catalogue her works aligns with successful campaigns for other local authors like Thomas Hardy and William Barnes.
Supporters of this project will receive digital images reflecting Warner’s special relationships as a token of appreciation.