Whilst I agree that it is good that the BL have made this acquisition, it
is somewhat disappointing that a curator at the BL should simply reproduce
something from a website rather than using their (presumed) knowledge to
issue a more accurate press release.
As it stands it's a bit of a slap in the face for all the work that BASA -
and others - have done in order that there is a broader understanding of
the persistent Black Presence, including that of published writers.
When someone from an establishment such as the BL puts this sort of stuff
out, I find it really undermining.
all the best
Fabian
>
> It is good that BL has acquired for posterity the works
> of James Berry.
>
> Perhaps, Helen is quoting from
> the internet which says:
>
> '...One of the
> first black writers in Britain to achieve wider recognition,...'
>
> http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=110
>
> I have some doubt that this is correct English grammar. 'One
> of the first...? No.
>
> James Berry is not
> one of the first 'writers', but he is 'among the best known black post-war
> writers
> in Britain'.
>
> arthur
>
>
> > Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:08:37 +0100
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Acquisition of James Berry archive
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Let's avoid the hyperbole - one of the first black writers to be
>> recognised...... Really?
>>
>> Ansel Wong
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On 16 Oct 2012, at 15:27, Helen Melody <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> > The British Library is pleased to announce that it has acquired the
>> archive of the Caribbean British poet and writer, James Berry OBE.
>> James Berry, one of the first black writers in Britain to be widely
>> recognised for his work, came to Britain as part of the first major
>> wave of immigrants from the Caribbean in 1948. He is now celebrated
>> not only in the literary field, but also within communities
>> encouraging and championing the work of new black writers in Britain.
>> >
>> > Berry’s archive includes poetry notebooks spanning the length of his
>> career, along with manuscript and typescript drafts of his poetry and
>> prose (including notes for an unpublished novel), diaries, photographs
>> and audio visual material. Notes and heavily annotated drafts in the
>> archive illustrate Berry’s creative process and the meticulous
>> attention to detail in his writing. As well as revealing the complex
>> processes behind the creative development of Berry’s poetry and prose,
>> this unique material provides an illuminating first hand insight into
>> the challenging circumstances that many immigrants to Britain faced in
>> the 1940s and ‘50s.
>> >
>> > For more information about the acquisition and some images of material
>> from the archive please see the British Library website -
>> http://pressandpolicy.bl.uk/Press-Releases/British-Library-acquires-the-archive-of-Caribbean-British-poet-and-writer-James-Berry-5d2.aspx.
>> >
>> > Best wishes
>> >
>> > Helen Melody
>> >
>> > Curator, Modern Literary Manuscripts
>> > English and Drama department
>> > British Library
>
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