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Sayers, Dorothy L. (Sayers, Dorothy Leigh)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1893-1957

Biographical Statement

Considered one of the foremost modern detective writers and perhaps best known for her Lord Peter Wimsey novels, Dorothy Leigh Sayers was also an accomplished and popular playwright, religious commentator, and scholar whose translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy is considered unmatched in quality and readability.

Sayers attended Somerville College, Oxford, graduating in 1915 with first class honors in modern languages, but not caring for the academic life, for a number of years held a variety of jobs in publishing, advertising, and teaching. Frustrated with several relationships, worried about how to support herself, and unsure of her abilities, she nonetheless began writing detective fiction, and in 1923 her first Lord Peter Wimsey novel, Whose Body, was published. A few years later Sayers met and married Arthur Fleming, a journalist 12 years her senior, and over the next decade or so Sayers wrote 14 Lord Peter Wimsey novels and short stories, enjoying popular and financial success, her husband often acting as assistant and unofficial press agent. Sayers turned to play writing in the mid-1930s, a medium which highlighted her poetic skill and dramatic abilities with Christian themes. Although not her first play, The Zeal of Thy House, produced in 1937, was her first such commercial and critical success. Sayers' most well-known play, The Man Born to be King, broadcast on the BBC in 1941, was very popular but caused a stir for its Christ who spoke modern English. Sayers was sought out as a religious commentator as well, and so also in 1941 The Mind of the Maker was published. Sayers continued writing plays and other works throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s, and began translating Dante's The Divine Comedy, an interest of hers for some years as a result of reading Charles Williams' The Figure of Beatrice. Her translations of Dante were to be her greatest accomplishment, though she died in 1957 at age 64 before completing the last of its three volumes.

An Anglican all her life, Sayers also recognized that "I am quite without the thing known as 'inner light' or 'spiritual experience.'" Instead, she possessed what she termed a "passionate intellect," and it was this intellect and her creativity which enabled her to write as she did. Yet, for all her intellect, "Christianity is as plain and common as bread. The simplest person or the youngest child can be a Christian, by faith and baptism."

Citation:
http://www.wheaton.edu/wadecenter/Authors/Dorothy-L-Sayers

Found in 40 Collections and/or Records:

Alzina Stone Dale Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-39
Abstract

The Alzina Stone Dale Collection includes materials relating to her work on Dorothy L. Sayers, including the 1993 Sayers Centenary celebration, the Thrones, Dominations book publishing project, the writing of Maker and Craftsman: The Story of Dorothy L. Sayers (a Sayers biography), and a diverse range of correspondence.

Dates: Created: 1967-1998; Other: Majority of material found in 1977-1984, 1993; Other: Date acquired: 10/12/2016

Author Societies Archive

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-A-14 through A-15
Abstract

The materials in this archive relate to groups and societies dedicated to promoting the works and lives of the seven authors in  the Wade Center's collections.

Dates: Created: 1965-2019

Barbara Reynolds Papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-B-10 through B-16
Abstract

This archive includes professional and personal documents relating to the life and work of Barbara Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds is a noted scholar of Dante, Italian studies, and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Dates: Created: 1853-2015; Other: Majority of material found in 1950-2000; Other: Date acquired: 03/07/2016

Busman’s Honeymoon Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-116
Abstract

This archive contains fan correspondence and theater returns from the play version of "Busman's Honeymoon" written by Dorothy L. Sayers and Muriel St. Clare Byrne.

Dates: Created: 1935-1946

Change Ringing Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-30
Abstract

Change ringing serves as the backdrop for Dorothy L. Sayers's novel The Nine Tailors. This archive contains miscellaneous materials related to the practice of change ringing, among them pamphlets, brochures, and periodicals.

Dates: Created: 1951-2004

David Coomes Papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-36
Abstract

This archive includes a typescript of the book Dorothy L. Sayers: A Careless Rage for Life, and is a gift of David Coomes.

Dates: Created: ca. 1992

Detection Club Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-31
Abstract

Contained within this archive are Dorothy L. Sayers's own materials relating to her membership and secretarial duties to The Detection Club. These materials include stationery, list of members, and club constitution. G.K. Chesterton was also a member of the Club.

Dates: Created: 1932-1940

Detection Notes Collection by Dorothy L. Sayers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-115
Abstract

This collection features various documents relating to Sayers's research in the areas of  crime and detection, including notes from real criminal trials and detection techniques.

Dates: Created: 1900-1944

Dorothy L. Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-25
Abstract

Dorothy L." is a biographical one-woman play written by Catherine Kenny about Dorothy L. Sayers. This collection contains materials relating to the 1995 Oxford performance of "Dorothy L.," and the 1996 Wheaton College performance of the play.

Dates: Created: 1994-1996

Dorothy L. Sayers Centenary Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-33
Abstract

This archive contains materials relating to the centenary of the birth of Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957) in 1993.  Items included are schedules and programs from related events as well as newspaper clippings regarding the centenary.

Dates: Created: 1993

Dorothy L. Sayers Diary Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-103
Abstract

This collection contains a series of diaries (personal day planners) belonging to Dorothy L. Sayers.

Dates: Created: 1937-1957

Dorothy L. Sayers Library Inserts Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-105
Abstract

The items contained within this archive were found between the pages of the books in Dorothy L. Sayers's personal library, and/or annotations from the books.

Dates: Created: 1905-1997

Dorothy L. Sayers Notebook Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-68
Abstract

This archive contains 11 notebooks with notes in several languages by Dorothy L. Sayers. A wide variety of topics are covered, but most of the material relates to Dante Alighieri and his works.

Dates: Created: 1947-1957

Dorothy L. Sayers Press Cuttings Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-B-21
Abstract

This archive contains articles and ephemera which were in the possession of Dorothy L. Sayers, relating to her and her work.

Dates: Created: 1949-1957

E.R. Gregory Papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-A-48 through A-49
Scope and Contents

The Gregory Collection contains manuscripts, proofs, photographs, correspondence and other papers concerned with the book Wilkie Collins by Dorothy L. Sayers, ed. by Dr. Gregory (Toledo: The Friends of the Univ. of Toledo Libraries, 1977). Copyright resides with Dr. Gregory.

Dates: Created: 1975-1978

Events File Archive

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-A-126, 126a, 127, and B-36
Abstract

This archive includes materials from various events related to the Wade authors, including dramatic performances, conferences, academic courses, exhibitions, etc. More additions may be included in this archive at any time.

Dates: Created: 1966-2023

Fleming / Sayers Culinary Papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-112
Abstract

This archive contains a proof copy of Atherton (Mac) Fleming's book Gourmet's Book of Food and Drink, and additional recipes and notes relating to culinary topics by both Mac and Dorothy L. Sayers.

Dates: Created: 1933-1940

Future of the Jews Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-100
Abstract

This archive contains unpublished contributions by Dorothy L. Sayers for the 1944 symposium on "The Future of the Jews," as well as extensive correspondence and  publications relating to the topic.

Dates: Created: 1941-1951

He That Should Come Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-56
Abstract

The He That Should Come archive contains materials relating to the religious play of the same title by Dorothy L. Sayers, including printed copies of the play and correspondence.

Dates: Created: 1938-1954; Other: Majority of material found in 1938-1939

James Burleson Dissertation Research Papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-16
Abstract

This archive contains James Burleson's correspondence with Ann Bowden, Muriel St. Clare Byrne, Charles Dywer, Marion Fairman, Anthony Fleming, Livia Gollancz, Marjorie Mead, Barbara Reynolds, James Sandoe, and Armitage Watkins regarding his dissertation.  Also included are two pages of Burleson's dissertation titled: A Study of the Novels of Dorothy L. Sayers. (Wade Call no.: PR6037.A95 Z6258 1965 Diss.)

Dates: Created: 1931-1997

Joe R. Christopher Publications Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-125
Abstract

Publications containing bibliographies and other materials relating to the Wade authors by Joe R. Christopher.

Dates: Created: 1978-2017

Lord Peter Wimsey Biography Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-37
Abstract

This archive is a collection of materials from Christopher Dean, relating to his biography on Lord Peter Wimsey. They include biographical material on Lord Peter Wimsey and additional papers.

Dates: Created: 1985

Love All and Busman’s Honeymoon Archive

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-A-32a-b
Abstract

This archive is a collection of materials relating to the book containing: Love All by Dorothy L. Sayers and Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers and Muriel St. Clare Byrne. Edited by Alzina Stone Dale. (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1984). The items in this archive represent some of the resources used by Mrs. Dale as she prepared the two plays for publication.

Dates: Created: 1935-1984; Other: Majority of material found in 1983-1985

Muriel St. Clare Byrne Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-69
Abstract

This archive contains notes, photographs, books, manuscripts, play programs, and other materials collected by Muriel St. Clare Byrne relating to Dorothy L. Sayers.

Dates: Created: ca. 1913-1978; Other: Majority of material found in 1937-1958

Religious Illustrated Cards and Booklets Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-67
Abstract

This archive contains correspondence and drafts relating to religious-themed booklets and cards containing text by Dorothy L. Sayers, including: "The Days of Christ's Coming,"  "The Story of Easter," "The Tale of Adam and Christ,"  "The Story of Noah's Ark," and  "The Enchanted Garden." Commonly known as the "Advent cards," the works were mainly intended as Christmas and Easter cards.

Dates: Created: 1953-1958; Other: Majority of material found in 1953-1955

Rosamond Sprague Collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-23
Abstract

This archive contains materials related to Dorothy L. Sayers, donated by Rosamond Sprague. Contents include materials relating to  A Matter of Eternity (a book of selections from Sayers's works, edited by Sprague), general correspondence, and personal papers.

Dates: Created: 1969-2000; Other: Majority of material found in 1973-1976

Sayers Family Papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-A-104 and A-106
Abstract

This archive contains correspondence, certificates, and other documents and records relating to the family of Dorothy L. Sayers.

Dates: Created: 1879-1941

St. Anne's House Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-70
Abstract

This archive contains materials relating to  St. Anne's House, an Anglican organization formed with the goal of bringing the Christian faith into dialogue with aspects of modern culture--with particular emphasis on reaching out to the artistic and intellectual communities of London. Dorothy L. Sayers was an active member of St. Anne's House and a strong supporter of its mission. At  her death in December 1957, Sayers's ashes were placed under the tower of St. Anne's in Soho.

Dates: Created: 1941-1958; Other: Majority of material found in 1950-1957

The Devil to Pay Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-58
Abstract

This archive contains materials for the play The Devil to Pay by Dorothy L. Sayers, including copies of the play, correspondence, production notes, and financial returns.

Dates: Created: 1938-1946; Other: Majority of material found in 1939

The Emperor Constantine Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-61
Abstract

The Emperor Constantine archive contains materials relating to the religious play of the same title by Dorothy L. Sayers including: various copies and scripts of the play, some production notes, and related correspondence primarily regarding the Colchester Festival  where the play was first performed in 1951.

Dates: Created: 1949-1952; Other: Majority of material found in 1951-1952

The Just Vengeance Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-60
Abstract

The Just Vengeance archive contains materials relating to the religious play of the same title by Dorothy L. Sayers including: a script of the play, press cuttings of reviews, and materials relating to the Lichfield Cathedral festival, where the play was first performed in June 1946.

Dates: Created: 1946-1948; Other: Majority of material found in 1946-1947

The Man Born to be King Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-59
Abstract

The Man Born to be King archive contains materials relating to the religious play cycle of the same title by Dorothy L. Sayers including: drafts and scripts of the 12 dramas, production notes, correspondence and fan mail, press cuttings, and correspondence between Sayers and Heinz Geck, who translated the play into German.

Dates: Created: 1940-1953, 2017; Other: Majority of material found in 1942-1944

The Mind of the Maker Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-62
Abstract

The Mind of the Maker archive contains materials relating to the non-fiction book of the same title by Dorothy L. Sayers, including: early drafts of the book, related correspondence, and a copy of the published work with annotations by Sayers.

Dates: Created: 1938-1955; Other: Majority of material found in 1941

The New Cosmology Correspondence

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-63
Abstract

This archive contains a single folder of correspondence, mainly fan mail, relating to  Dorothy L. Sayers's BBC radio talk, "The New Cosmology."

Dates: Created: 1950-1951

The Pantheon Papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-66
Abstract

This archive contains correspondence and drafts relating to The Pantheon Papers by Dorothy L. Sayers, a series of satirical sketches on invented saints and celebrations of secular society.

Dates: Created: 1953-1954

The Religious Book Club Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-64
Abstract

The Religious Book Club archive contains various materials relating to the club and Sayers's position on the Advisory Committee,  including: meeting minutes, agendas, book  lists, RBC advertisements, Bulletins, and related correspondence.

Dates: Created: 1941-1948

The Religious Drama Society Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-65
Abstract

The Religious Drama Society archive contains various materials relating to the society, including meeting minutes and related correspondence.

Dates: Created: 1940-1951; Other: Majority of material found in 1947-1948

The Zeal of Thy House Archive

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-55
Abstract

The Zeal of Thy House archive contains materials relating to the religious play of the same title by Dorothy L. Sayers, including printed copies of the play, correspondence, music, and financial records from when the play was touring in 1938-1939.

Dates: Created: 1930-2002; Other: Majority of material found in 1937-1939

Undergraduate Notes and Essays Archive by Dorothy L. Sayers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-102
Abstract

This archive contains extensive notes by Dorothy L. Sayers during her undergraduate years at Somerville College, Oxford University (1912-1915), or in the immediate period afterwards with a few pieces from other stages of her life.

Dates: Created: 1909-1957; Other: Majority of material found in 1912-1916

World War II Materials from Dorothy L. Sayers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Wade-A-99
Abstract

This archive contains materials relating to Dorothy L. Sayers's work during World War II, including her advisory role in the Author's Planning Committee, and correspondence regarding knitting clothes for trawlermen.

Dates: Created: 1939-1943

Additional filters:

Subject
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Archives. 35
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Correspondence. 10
Proofs (printed matter) 5
Wimsey, Peter, Lord (Fictitious character) 4
Byrne, M. St. Clare (Muriel St. Clare), 1895- -- Archives. 3
∨ more
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Notebooks, sketchbooks, etc. 3
Radio plays. 2
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Family. 2
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Photograph collections. 2
Wimsey, Peter, Lord (Fictitious character) -- Drama. 2
Atonement -- Drama. 1
Atonement. 1
Authors, English. 1
Barfield, Owen, 1898-1997 -- Archives. 1
Barfield, Owen, 1898-1997 -- Societies, etc. 1
Barfield, Owen, 1898-1997 -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
Book clubs (Bookselling) 1
Book clubs (Bookselling) -- History -- 20th century. 1
Book clubs (Bookselling) -- History. 1
Burleson, James Bernard -- Correspondence. 1
Change ringing. 1
Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith), 1874-1936 -- Archives. 1
Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith), 1874-1936 -- Societies, etc. 1
Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith), 1874-1936 -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
Christianity -- Philosophy. 1
Christianity. 1
Christopher, Joe R. -- Archives. 1
Correspondence. 1
Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.) 1
Dale, Alzina Stone -- Correspondence. 1
Detective and mystery stories, English. 1
Detective and mystery stories, English. -- Authorship. 1
Drama festivals -- England -- Canterbury. 1
Drama festivals. 1
Faust, -approximately 1540 -- In literature -- Drama. 1
Faust, -approximately 1540 -- In literature. 1
Fleming, Mac, 1881-1950 -- Gastronomy. 1
Gregory, E. R. -- Correspondence. 1
Guillaume de Sens, -1180 -- Drama. 1
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) 1
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Influence. 1
Jesus Christ -- Drama. 1
Jesus Christ -- Nativity -- Drama. 1
Jesus Christ -- Nativity. 1
Jews -- History -- 20th century. 1
Jews -- History. 1
Jews. 1
Judaism -- 20th century. 1
Judaism. 1
Lewis, C. S. -- Archives. 1
Lewis, C. S. -- Societies, etc. 1
Lewis, C. S. -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
Lichfield Cathedral -- History. 1
MacDonald, George, -- Archives. 1
MacDonald, George, -- Societies, etc. 1
MacDonald, George, -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
Reconstruction (1939-1951) 1
Reconstruction (1939-1951) -- Jews. 1
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Astronomy. 1
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Drama. 1
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Gastronomy. 1
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Personal papers. 1
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Societies, etc. 1
Sayers, Dorothy L. -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
Sayers, Henry -- Archives. 1
Social problems 1
Social problems -- England 1
Social problems -- England -- 20th century. 1
Somerville College (University of Oxford) -- History. 1
Sprague, Rosamond Kent -- Correspondence. 1
Tolkien, J. R. R. -- Archives. 1
Tolkien, J. R. R. -- Societies, etc. 1
Tolkien, J. R. R. -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
Vane, Harriet (Fictitious character) 1
Vane, Harriet (Fictitious character) -- Drama. 1
Williams, Charles, -- Archives. 1
Williams, Charles, -- Societies, etc. 1
Williams, Charles, -- Societies, etc. -- Archives. 1
World War, 1939-1945. 1
Zionism. 1
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