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The archive contains papers of both Robert Calverley Trevelyan and his wife Elizabeth (née des Amorie van der Hoeven, known as Bessie), though the majority relate to R. C. Trevelyan and comprise personal items 1872-1951, publications 1898-1950, publications 1989-1950, reviews of publications 1898-1953, photographs 1876-1949, family material.

This archive is in the process of being catalogued: the majority of the correspondence has been catalogued at item level, while around fifteen boxes predominantly containing working notebooks and photographs remain; work on these and revisions will follow.

1-125 relate to Lascelles Abercrombie and comprise letters and postcards from Abercrombie to R. C. and Bessie Trevelyan; newspaper cuttings relating to Abercrombie's death; a draft letter from R. C. Trevelyan and tribute to Abercrombie; two letters from Oliver Elton seeking information for a memorial of Abercrombie.
126-132 relate to Max Beerbohm and comprise letters and a copy letter from Max and Florence Beerbohm to Trevelyan, as well as sketches by Beerbohm with an accompanying note by Trevelyan.
133-154 are letters from Bernard Berenson to Elizabeth Trevelyan, or from Nicky Mariano on Berenson's behalf.
155-211 almost all relate to Robert Bridges and his family (180 is a stray letter from John Masefield) and comprise: correspondence between Bridges and R. C. Trevelyan (each with a typed copy, prepared in 1954 at the request of Edward Bridges, see 199); letters from Monica Bridges to R. C. Trevelyan; and letters from Edward Bridges, Edward Gathorne-Hardy, Joseph Scott and Humphry Trevelyan to Elizabeth Trevelyan, with a copy letter from Elizabeth Trevelyan to Gathorne-Hardy, about her husband's letters to Robert Bridges.
There are also letters from Robert Bridges' daughter Elizabeth Daryush to R. C. Trevelyan about her own poetry

13 Princess Terrace, Balls Road, Birkenhead. - Congratulations on the birth of Trevelyan's son [Julian]. Comments on his own son [David, born 19 Dec 1909], to whom he reads poetry. Will send Trevelyan his new poem, "Mary and the Bramble", when he gets it back from Massingham. Has seen C. P. Scott and hopes to get work on his paper [the "Manchester Guardian"]; is giving up his regular journalism as he can't write poetry at the same time. Intends to move to the country, and asks if Trevelyan knows of any suitable house.

7A Stanley Gardens, W.11. - Has been sounding out the Oxford [University] Press regarding the possible publication of a collected edition of Trevelyan's poetry. The Press seems likely to be willing given a satisfactory financial agreement (a substantial contribution to costs of publication from Trevelyan himself) and Trevelyan may therefore write to Milford and make the proposal. Catherine [his wife] still unwell.

Postmarked Gloucester. - Pleased to see Trevelyan's poems in the "Nation"; discusses them briefly. Catherine continues to make excellent progress.

Crowfield, Dymock, Glos. - Will be at Dymock for a month or two, hoping to do some work. He approves the "Annual" [a follow-up to Trevelyan's publication of 1917?] though Marsh is bringing out a "G.P." ["Georgian Poetry"] at Christmas and they might clash. He himself wants to publish in book form in the autumn; "Empedocles" would do well for the "Annual", though it is not yet finished. Delighted to hear Trevelyan is in England; he should stay if he can. Saw Trevelyan's brother George the other day. A postscript says that the two books ought not to clash if Trevelyan takes care.

Postmark Liverpool S. D. - Can't get down to see Trevelyan; invites him to stay on his way north, they have some cider. Will be in Darlington on the 30th but hopes to return on the 31st.

Postmarked Park Lane L[iver]pool; addressed to Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The 20th should work well for Trevelyan's visit. Glad he approves the estimate for his "Oresteia" [Trevelyan's translation; see also]. Will have it put in hand at once and it should be out before Christmas. Sees Trevelyan has asked for the MS to be sent back: he should not keep it too long. Comments on 'D. Millett's' appearance.

20 Marmion Rd., Sefton Park, Liverpool. - Abercrombie and his brother Pat have been asked to report to the corporation of Stratford upon Avon on possible industrial development. It seems that the Welcombe estate will be involved, and he asks whether Trevelyan's father (or son Julian) would like to express an opinion. The Abercrombies will be at Stratford the following week.

37 Weetwood Lane, Leeds. - Is glad Trevelyan approves of the book ["The Idea of Great Poetry"?] in the main; is in the middle of "Thamyris" [Trevelyan's "Thamyris: or, Is There a Future for Poetry?"] and finding it excellent. The Abercrombies go to Anglesey tomorrow but will be back before the 16th and delighted to have Trevelyan with them.

Bryntan, Rhoscolyn, Holyhead; forwarded on from The Shiffolds to the Royal Hotel, Silverdale, nr. Carnforth. - Pleased Trevelyan approves of 'Empedokles and the rest of the gallimaufry'. Will probably be at home for September and would love to see Trevelyan; thinks it unlikely they will be able to visit Scarbold [?]. "The Odyssey" the greatest of poems - at least when one is reading it.

Postmarked Notting Hill. - Thanks Trevelyan for the card and sends best New Year wishes from himself and his wife to him and Bessie. Hopes he'll have a good time in Italy. Tenerife was splendid; the voyage home 'full of experiences'. Has 'made a raid' on Spanish literature, as well as 'climbing the Peak' [reading "Don Quixote"], and discovered the 'sublime' Luis de León.

Sends Trevelyan's cap. He and his wife are much grieved at the cause of Trevelyan's departure [the sudden death of his nephew Theodore]; they hope to see him and his wife soon. Asks if Trevelyan could write to C. H. Reilly a formal testimonial, regarding Abercrombie's suitability for the post of literary adviser to the Liverpool Repertory Theatre. There will be a board meeting on Wednesday and Reilly is chair [see also 1/37].

The University, Leeds. - Expresses his great gratitude to the Trevelyans for the gift on money which will enable him to go to Tenerife for around a month (December to January).

Thanks Trevelyan for his letter revealing that he, Pearsall Smith, and others had considered nominating Abercrombie for a prize [the Nobel]. Is overwhelmed by the compliment, and is inspired to try poetry again, having previously given up his ambitions in that regard. Delighted to hear the news of Julian's engagement [to Ursula Darwin].

13 Princess Terrace, Balls Road, Birkenhead. - Thanks for his stay at The Shiffolds, and for the Vondel [Joost van den Vondel], of which he will take the greatest care. Massingham has his only copy of "Mary & the Bramble" at present, but he will let the Trevelyans see it one way or another soon. Has applied to C. P. Scott of the "Manchester Guardian", and thanks R.C. Trevelyan for offering to put in a word for him. Hopes they will finish [Vondel's] "Lucifer", and that he will soon hear of the completion of "Solomon", though he is perhaps looking forwards most to "Orpheus" or the "Hippogriff".

The Gallows. Saturday. - Thanks for the Abercrombies' stay with the Trevelyans.

Ryton, Saturday. - Sends what he thinks must be the key to Bessie's trunk. The Abercrombies children are well; a "probationer nurse maid" has been hired for the baby [Ralph]. Has just read [Wordsworth's] "Peter Bell" and joins in Bob's praise of it; cannot think how [William] James failed to mention it in "Varieties of Religious Experience". Now reading [Giovanni Battisti Guarini's] "Il Pastor Fido": 'unreality has a peculiar value these days'.

Ryton, Dymock, Glos. - Catherine is to go into a nursing home in Gloucester to investigate a lump in her breast, which appears malignant.

Wotton Lodge Nursing Home, Gloucester. - The tumour in Catherine's breast (see 1/114) proved to be cancer, and she has undergone an extensive operation. She will have to have X-ray treatment for some time.

Wotton Lodge Nursing Home, Gloucester. - Thanks the Trevelyans for their letters following Catherine's operation [see 1/113 and 1/114]. She seems to be recovering well. The children are well and being cared for by grandmother or aunt. It is very good of the Trevelyans to offer a home for David, and please thank Lady Trevelyan for her kindness.

20 Marmion Rd, Liverpool. - Hopes to be able to tell Bessie about his visit to Holland [a lecture tour in the Netherlands] soon. Is sorry he was not able to call on her friends in Amsterdam. He must take up his appointment in Leeds after Christmas.

20 Marmion Rd, Liverpool. - Gives the dates for his forthcoming lecture tour of the Netherlands: Hilversum; Nijmegen: Haarlem: Arnhem; and The Hague, from 10-14 October. Does not know yet where he will be staying. It is very kind of Bessie to write to people there.

Gosberton House, near Spalding. - Arrival of the Abercrombie's third son [Ralph]. Catherine is doing well. He himself was away and missed the birth.

Catherine recovering well from the operation; her mother is with the children at home and they prefer to keep them there as she hopes to be able to see them soon. They are very grateful, though, for the Trevelyans' kind suggestion. [See also 1/113-115].

7A, Stanley Gardens, W.11. – Is going to Oxford, where he is to stay with [? Henry Cecil Kennedy] Wyld. Thanks Trevelyan for his kindness regarding present difficulties, and advice about Oxford.

Postmarked Birkenhead. Addressed to The Shiffolds, but forwarded c/o Miss Leaf, 4 Barton St, Westminster SW. - Catherine has had another operation, but the trouble [cancer] should be cleared up now. Bob should be home soon, and they hope to see him. Hopes Wilfrid [Gibson] will be released [from his duties as a medical clerk] soon.

Two copies of an obituary [in "The Times"; see 1/122-123] containing tributes from Sir Michael Sadler and R. C. Trevelyan; a cutting with a tribute from Sir Walford Davies, mentioning Abercrombie's close work with musicians, his association with the Festivals of Music and Poetry held at Gregynog in Montgomeryshire, and the power of his poetic readings; obituary from an unidentified newspaper; notice in "The Times" about a memorial service for Abercrombie held in Merton College Chapel, Oxford; obituary from the "Manchester Guardian", 28 Oct 1938.

Trevelyan's tribute was printed in "The TImes": see 1/121.

293, Woodstock Road, Oxford. - Trevelyan will not remember their brief meeting at The Gallows thirty years ago; Elton is writing to him, as Abercrombie's executor, as he himself is writing a memoir of Abercrombie for the British Academy. Hopes Trevelyan can help him pin down the composition and first appearance of a number of Abercrombie's works, including theatrical performances of his dramatic poems and his journalism; pencil notes may be Trevelyan's responses to some of these questions. Originally enclosing a copy of an obituary notice [by Elton?] which appeared in the "Oxford Magazine" and is to be reprinted in the "Malvernian" and the volume of tributes (to which he expects Trevelyan will also contribute).