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the length of his career, along with manuscript and typescript drafts of his poetry and prose (including notes for an unpublished novel), diaries, photographs and audio visual material.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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