Papers of Jane Duncan, 1910-1976, novelist

Scope and Content

Papers of Jane Duncan including manuscripts of books, short stories, articles and plays, correspondence with publishers, financial and legal records, press cuttings, personal notes and journals.

In addition the collection includes a photograph of Jane Duncan, and a letter sent by her, both acquired separately.

Administrative / Biographical History

The novelist Jane Duncan was born in 1910 as Elizabeth Jane Cameron, daughter of Duncan Cameron and Jessie Sandison. She grew up near Glasgow and spent holidays at her grandparents' Black Isle croft. Jane attended Lenzie Academy and went on to study at the University of Glasgow, graduating with an MA(Hons) in Literature in 1930.

During the Second World War she served as a Women's Auxiliary Air Force photographic intelligence officer. In 1948 she moved to Jamaica with her partner Alexander ('Sandy') Clapperton, returning to Scotland after his death in 1958.

Her wide-ranging work included the 'Reachfar' novels and childrens' books which she published as Jane Duncan. Her four 'Jean' novels were published under the pseudonym Janet Sandison. Jane Duncan died in 1976 at Jemimaville, Scotland.

Arrangement

The papers have been arranged into sub-fonds.

Access Information

Processing is in progress and access to some material may be restricted; an appointment is required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice on how to apply for access to these records: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Acquisition Information

Received from Neil Cameron, nephew of Elizabeth Jane Cameron, August 2012, with subsequent accruals from other individuals.

Other Finding Aids

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents. Applications for permission to quote should be sent to Archives and Special Collections, please email: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 247 procedures

Custodial History

Previously in the possession of Elizabeth Jane Cameron (Jane Duncan) at Rose Cottage and The Old Store, Jemimaville, Scotland, where she lived from 1959 until her death in 1976.

Related Material

A full set of Duncan's publications (acquired separately by the Library) is held in Special Collections.