Paul Boytinck - C.P. Snow collection

Summary

Creator: Boytinck, Paul W.
Date(s): 1932-1989
Call Number: MSS 0544
Language: Materials entirely in English.
Abstract: The Paul Boytinck - C.P. Snow collection is a research collection consisting of material used by bibliographer Paul Boytinck for the publication of his book C.P. Snow: A Reference Guide (1980). The collection consists of 1.3 linear feet of articles, book reviews, interviews, manuscripts, correspondence, and a videotape related to English novelist C.P. Snow spanning the dates between 1932 and 1989.
Physical Description: 1.3 linear feet (2 boxes)
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Gift of Paul Boytinck, June 2005
Processing Information: Processed by Karalee Kopreski, May 2006. Updated by Maureen Cech, December 2010. Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Biographical and Historical Notes

Paul Boytinck

Bibliographer Paul Boytinck received his B.A. in English and history from the University of Alberta, his M.L.S. from University of California, Los Angeles, and his M.A. in English from McGill University. His master's thesis was on the novels of C.P. Snow under the direction of High MacLennan. He has worked as the head of the cataloging department at Bucknell University from 1969 until his retirement in 1992. His publications include C.P. Snow: A Reference Guide (1980) and Anthony Burgess: An Annotated Bibliography and Reference Guide (1985).

C.P. Snow

English novelist and scientific administrator Charles Percy Snow (1905-1980) was a prolific author whose literary works explores themes of modern science and technology and their effects on the development of society. Snow received his Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge University in 1930. Snow continued to teach at Cambridge and became the editor of Discovery magazine. When the magazine went under in 1940, Snow was already involved with the Royal Society, and by 1942 was named director of technical personnel, spearheading the mobilization of scientists to produce radar and military technology and the atomic bomb. Eventually Snow became the civil service commissioner in charge of recruiting scientists to post-war government work and returned to writing. His public service in the House of Lords and his literary works were aimed at the same goals: the interpretation of science and an awareness of technology's central role in human progress. Snow completed an eleven-novel cycle beginning with The Light and the Dark (1947) and ending with Strangers and Brothers (1970). The novel cycle is narrated by lawyer-bureaucrat Lewis Eliot and deals with pre- and post-war political and moral issues as well as the more personal issues of ambition and failure.

Sources

Wientraub, Stanley. "Snow, Charles Percy, Baron Snow (1905–1980)," in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, edited by H. C. G. Matthew and Brian Harrison. Oxford: OUP, 2004. Online ed., edited by Lawrence Goldman, May 2007. Accessed December 2, 2010, http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/31698.

Additional biographical material derived from the collection.

Scope and Contents

The Paul Boytinck - C.P. Snow collection is a research collection consisting of material used by bibliographer Paul Boytinck for the publication of his book C.P. Snow: A Reference Guide (1980). The collection consists of 1.3 linear feet of articles, book reviews, interviews, manuscripts, correspondence, and a videotape relatedto English novelist C.P. Snow spanning the dates between 1932 and 1989.

The collection is arranged into two series: I. Reviews of Snow; and II. Critical work on Snow and secondary material.

Series I. comprises a large portion of the collection, consisting of reviews of Snow's major literary publications, arranged alphabetically by the title of the work reviewed.

Series II. consists of critical work on Snow's novels and other secondary material, including typescript transcripts of Snow's letters from 1932 to 1979, copies of published interviews and articles by Snow, and copies of obituary notices published after Snow's death. A videotape of the 1984 adaptation of Snow's novel Strangers and Brothers, along with letters from and to Paul Boytinck related to Snow material.

Using these materials

Shelving Summary

  • Box 1: Shelved in SPEC MSS record center cartons
  • Box 2: Shelved in SPEC MSS manuscript boxes

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

MSS 0544, Paul Boytinck - C.P. Snow collection, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

Conditions Governing Use

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce isrequired from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, https://library.udel.edu/static/purl.php?askspec

Container List

Miscellaneous articles mentioning Snow, 1968-1988 Box 1, 32
Miscellaneous articles on Snow, 1962-1988 Box 1, 33
Articles related to Two Cultures and Science and Government , 1958-1963 Box 1, 34

Includes copies of articles from various publications relating to Snow's controversial comments about the proper relationship between the scientific and humanistic cultures.

Two Cultures Debate, Checklist, undated Box 1, 35

Typescript of Paul Boytinck's "The 'Two Cultures' Debate: An Annotated Checklist of Some English and American Contributions."
Selected Letters of C.P. Snow , Part 1, 1932-1948 Box 1, 36

Bound typescript of Part 1 of Selected Letters of CP Snow: A Critical Edition, a thesis in English by Caroline Nobile Gryta submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy at the Pennsylvania State University. Part 1 contains letters from 1932-1948.

Selected Letters of C.P. Snow , Part 2, 1948-1963 Box 1, 37

Bound typescript of Part 2 of Selected Letters of CP Snow: A Critical Edition, a thesis in English by Caroline Nobile Gryta submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy at the Pennsylvania State University. Part 2 contains letters from 1948-1963.

Selected Letters of C.P. Snow , Part 3, 1963-1979 Box 1, 38

Bound typescript of Part 3 of Selected Letters of CP Snow: A Critical Edition, a thesis in English by Caroline Nobile Gryta submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy at the Pennsylvania State University. Part 3 contains letters from 1963-1979.

Reviews by Snow in The Sunday Times , 1952, 1958 Box 1, 39
Miscellaneous articles by Snow, 1953-1976 Box 1, 40

Articles are on literary and political topics, including articles on Georgi Dzhagarov, the Cold War, Trollope, illiteracy, social equality, Charles Dickens and race and class. Also included are published copies of addresses and speeches given by Snow.

Snow Bibliographical miscellany, 1965-1989 Box 1, 41

Includes copies of various bibliographies published between 1965-1989. Also includes a typescript bound copy of An Index to John Halperin’s "C.P. Snow: an Oral Biography" published by St. Martin’s Press 1983. The typescript index in the folder was compiled, privately printed and distributed by Paul Boytinck in 1985.

Snow interviews, 1958-1980 Box 1, 42

Includes photocopies and original publications of interviews with C.P. Snow. The interviews span the dates 1958-1980 and are published in a variety of sources including The Saturday Review, The Harvard Magazine, The Observer and The Guardian Weekly.

Snow biographical sketches, 1955-1976 Box 1, 43
Articles related to Snow in the House of Lords, 1965-1980 Box 1, 44

Includes copies of transcripts of House of Lords sessions involving Snow and copies of published articles on controversial topics raised by Snow in House of Lords. Articles are on topics related to World War II, middle class education and the success of Jews.

Snow's obituary notices, 1980 Box 1, 45
Letters from Boytinck related to Snow material, 1979-1988 Box 1, 46

Includes copies of four letters from and to Boytinck regarding Snow publications and manuscripts.
Video of Strangers and Brothers , 1984 Box 1, 47

Includes video of 1984 movie Strangers and Brothers based on Snow's novel.

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