John Ayscough papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-1996-032

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1911-1914, undated

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two journals containing hand-written drafts of Ayscough's short-stories "Gianluca" and "The Empty Shrine." It also contains letters exchanged between Ayscough and his mother and sister regarding his writing.

Creator

Ayscough, John, 1858-1928 (Person)

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical Note

Francis Bickerstaffe-Drew was born at Headingly, Leeds, England, in 1858 to Elizabeth Mona Broughan and Reverend Roger Bickerstaffe. He was educated at Pembroke College at Oxford and became a Catholic on October 26, 1878. His mother converted to Catholicism shortly thereafter. Bickerstaffe-Drew entered St. Thomas Seminary, Hammersmith, and was ordained in 1884. In 1891 he was appointed private chamberlain to Pope Leo XIII; in 1903, private chamberlain to Pope Pius X; in 1904, domestic prelate; and in 1909, Knight of the Holy Sepulcher and Count. During World War I Bickerstaffe-Drew served as a military chaplain at Plymouth and at Salisbury Plain.

Under the pseudonym of John Ayscough, Bickerstaffe published short stories, essays, and several novels, including Marotz (1908), Dromina (1909), San Celestino (1909), Hurdcott (1911), Jacqueline (1918), and Abbotscourt (1920).

He died in Salisbury, England in 1928.

Source:

Bickerstaffe-Drew, Frank. “Introduction.” John Ayscough’s Letters to his Mother During 1914, 1915 and 1916. Kennedy and Sons: New York, 1920.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 container)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Materials about the work and life of British author, Catholic convert, and priest Francis Bickerstaffe-Drew who wrote under the pseudonym John Ayscough. Consists of two journals containing hand-written drafts of short-stories and correspondence.

Provenance

Because the current accessioning system was not used until January 1986, it is not possible to know exactly the dates of acquisition of materials received before that time. However, it is known that Sister M. Ignatia donated "The Empty Shrine" in 1943.