Description compiled by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives. The biographical history was compiled with reference to the entry on John Cowper Powys in E.T. Williams and C.S. Nicholls, eds,
Ichiro Hara (1902-1984), translator, was a Japanese friend of John and Littleton Powys.
Phyllis Playter (1894-1982) was born in Kansas City on 29 November 1894. She met John Cowper Powys in 1921, and lived with him from 1923 onwards, settling in England in 1934. She died on 10 March 1982.
John Cowper Powys (1872-1963), writer, was born at Shirley, Derbyshire, on 8 October 1872, and educated at Sherborne and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He was lecturer for the Oxford University Extension Delegacy, 1898-1909. Powys published novels, including
Littleton Charles Powys (1874-1955), author, was born in Shirley, Derbyshire, on 25 April 1874, and educated at King's School, Bruton; Sherborne; and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He was assistant master at King's School, Bruton, 1896-1901, and at Llandovery College, 1902-1905, and Headmaster of Sherborne Preparatory School, 1905-1923.
Three envelopes containing letters to Ichiro Hara from, respectively, Phyllis Playter, John Cowper Powys and Littleton Powys.
Presented by Professor Yasuo Hara, 1987.
Open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
None.
Cambridge University Library holds other papers relating to members of the Powys family, MSS.Add.7663, 7664, 8277, 8635, 8766-8768, 8835 and 8933.
A set of letters from John Cowper Powys to Ichiro Hara has been published, edited by Anthony Head: