Orwell Research In Wigan

For the student or interested reader in the North West one of the largest collections of books by and about George Orwell can be found in the Reference Library at the Museum of Wigan Life. It is here that the Orwell Society has placed the Peter Davison Collection on long-term loan. Professor Davison built his library as he worked as editor of the twenty-plus volume Collected Works of George Orwell.

The collection includes all of Orwell’s works, including his novels and reportage about Burma and France, but he is specifically associated with Wigan because of his 1937 book of reportage. Peter Davison noted in his observations for the Orwell Foundation that George Orwell “left London on 30 January 1936 and spent two months in Lancashire and Yorkshire. On his return on 2 April he set about writing The Road to Wigan Pier. He delivered the manuscript on 15 December and it was published on 8 March 1937…”

Here are some comments on the value of Davison Collection in the library:

“It’s been nearly a year since we were fortunate enough to give the Peter Davison collection a permanent home in Wigan and it’s incredible to think that since being housed at the Museum of Wigan Life, children from schools throughout the borough have been able to read into Orwell’s work.

“The unique collection provides a rare insight into the novelist and that is something we are privileged to offer.

“Recognising those who have contributed significantly to the cultural history of Wigan Borough is extremely important and something as a council we will always look to do.

“We expect more who enter the doors of the museum to explore a copy of the 200-strong collection and be inspired to start their own creative journey,” Councillor Chris Ready, Cabinet Member for Communities.

And,

“The Peter Davison Collection is a wonderful addition to our Archives and Local Studies collections. Since accepting it into our care, we have had enquiries about it from students, local historians and lovers of Orwell’s work – as well as demonstrating key items to local school children as part of our education programme,” Alex Miller, Wigan & Leigh Archives Service.

The collection can be found in the same library room in which George Orwell himself researched and recorded local data and noted conditions. In 1968 Sonia Orwell and Ian Angus published Orwell’s notes and his diary from his research period in the Collected Essays Journalism and Letters. Today the notes on Wigan can be read on the Orwell Foundation website, as can the diary.

Professor Davison’s memoirs have been published online on the Orwell Society website. Readers, students and anyone interested in George Orwell and the things that interested him will find the Davison Collection in Wigan a tremendous benefit.

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Uploaded 7 March 2020