Ivor Gurney

The Ivor Gurney Collection deposited at Gloucestershire Archives

Gloucester-born Ivor Gurney (1890-1937) is regarded as one of the greatest composers of English art song of the twentieth century and one of the most significant poets of the First World War. His poems are included in several anthologies, including the Oxford Book of English Verse. His songs and other compositions are frequently performed and recorded. The bulk of Gurney's musical manuscripts, letters and notebooks form the core of the collection which now comprises many hundreds of items.

The papers are being catalogued in a project funded by the Great Western Research initiative - Gloucestershire Archives is a partner along with the Universities of Gloucestershire and Exeter. Access to the collection is temporarily closed because of this project. Any urgent enquiries should be directed to Philip Lancaster at Gloucestershire Archives.

The Collection is owned by the Trustees of the Gurney Estate and so that its use can be monitored by the Trustees, researchers will need to complete an access form at Gloucestershire Archives. Researchers who want to photocopy or take digital images of any material in the Gurney Collection will need to gain prior written permission from the Trustees of the Gurney Estate. Application should be made to: Ian Venables (lead trustee), 2 Turrall Street, Barbourne, Worcester, WR3 8AJ, Ianvenables@talktalk.net