John le Carré archive to go on public display in Oxford
Drafts and corrections for his books as well as original sketches are among the highlights
An exhibition celebrating John le Carré, the spy novelist best known for the likes of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold will open this autumn at Oxford’s Weston Library, offering a rare look into the author’s private archive.
Titled John le Carré: Tradecraft, the display will include annotated manuscripts, research notes, personal sketches, and letters — including one from Sir Alec Guinness, who famously portrayed George Smiley on screen.
The archive spans from Le Carré’s days as an Oxford student to the final drafts written before his death in 2020. Before becoming a bestselling author, Le Carré, born David Cornwell, worked in British intelligence.
Curated by Professor Federico Varese and Dr Jessica Douthwaite, with support from the author’s family, the exhibition opens October 1 and runs until April 6, 2026.
His son, author Nick Harkaway, called the Bodleian Library “a homecoming” for his father, who studied at Oxford after fleeing his troubled upbringing.
Organisers say the title Tradecraft refers not only to the techniques of espionage, but also to Le Carré’s meticulous process as a writer and social observer.