Description compiled by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives. The biographical history was compiled with reference to the entry on Gerhardie in Lord Blake and C.S. Nicholls, eds,
William Alexander Gerhardie (1895-1977), novelist and critic, was born in St Petersburg, Russia, on 21 November 1895, where he attended the St Annen Schule and Reformierte Schule. He moved to London, planning to train for a commercial career, but at the outbreak of World War I joined the Royal Scots Greys. He was posted to the British embassy in Petrograd, 1916-1918, and in 1918 was attached to the Scots Guards.
After the war Gerhardie travelled the world, before attending Worcester College, Oxford, where he obtained a B.A. in Russian in 1922. His first two novels,
39 personal letters from Gerhardie to Margaret Penn, 1941-1977, including a few typed copies; newscuttings (2); photographs of Gerhardie at Bixlet Haven (3); letters to Margaret Penn from 'Selma', 7 May 1963, and from Harold [Sergings], 13 December 1966; and a letter from Margaret Penn to Gerhardie, 13 July 1977.
Purchased 1982.
Open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Additional Manuscripts Summary Catalogue.
Most of Gerhardie's letters to Margaret Penn, 1939-1960, including the originals of the copies found in this collection, were returned to him, and now form part of the Gerhardie Papers, MS.Add.8292, Files 19 and 21.