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.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

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. Titles from the notebooks include: “The Burning Bush,” “Neutral Angels,” The Sacred Monarchy in the 10th Century, A Santi – Conzoniere, and P. Mandonnet – Siger of Brabant.

The notebooks were purchased by the Wade Center from Barbara Reynolds in 1999.

Scope and Contents 9 cm x 12.5 cm. Small newspaper clipping between first two pages called No Place Like Hell – an excerpt from The Pantheon Papers by Sayers, containing “The Creed of Euthanasia.” First 7 pages have writing on front and back (14 pages of writing) pages not all full. Various notes to herself concerning addresses, things to look up in books, rough lines of poetry and lists. After that, a blank page followed by 4 pages of writing...

Scope and Contents 10 cm x 15 cm. 14 pages total (counting front and back) of markings--pages not all full (one page has only one line). Several pages only written on one side. Includes scribbling with different colors of ink, brief notes (jots really) and questions on Dante related items. One page seems to contain a quote by J.S. Phillipae (sp?) taken from a book. 6 of the pages seem to have tercets of the Divine Comedy, some translated into English, some are in Italian. (4...

Scope and Contents 7.5 cm x 12 cm. 32 pages total of writing (almost the entire notebook). Most writing is on one side of the pages, and most of the pages are filled with writing. At least two pages have been torn out of the notebook. The first two pages have quotes with citations--one dealing with humans’ use of time, the other with a definition of “stupor.” The rest of the pages are devoted to Dante. She seems to be thinking through various issues in the Comedy (justice,...

Scope and Contents 10 cm x 16.5 cm. Title page reads: “Neutral Angels.” Most pages are written only on one side. Several of the first pages are torn out. 12 pages total of writing. 11 of those pages are filled with writing. This notebook seems to contain quotes from various sources (abbreviated citations are given) in various languages. French, Italian, and Latin are a few, though not all are identified. The notes seem to be Dante related. 12pp.12 pages total of writing: 12 pages of passages taken...

Scope and Contents Contains a notice card from Eastern Gas Board addressed to “Mrs. D. L. Fleming” (December 29, 1950) on which DLS has written notes about moonspots from the Divine Comedy. 11 cm x 18.5 cm. 37 pages total contain writing. About 2/3 of those pages are full. Most pages are written only on one side. There is also an envelope saved in the back of the notebook with writing on it. The first two pages are badly faded on the right hand side. The notebook again deals with Dante, particularly...

Scope and Contents "GENERAL" also written on the front free end paper. 11.5 cm x 18 cm. Pages in this book are numbered. 88 pages total have writing on them. About half are less that half filled with writing, and most of them are written on both the front and back sides of the sheets. Material on Dante ranging from notes to herself regarding translation as well as material that was labeled “use for lecture,” and so were likely notes for a talk. Most of the book seems to contain manuscript-like...

Scope and Contents

11.5 cm x 18 cm. Pages numbered, and content is in English, French, Latin, and possibly more languages. 124 pages of writing total, most pages written on both sides. Page 26 contains an index of pages 27-128, which seems to be notes of various characters in the Divine Comedy. 70pp.

124 pages of writing total: roughly 8 pages of lists of references, 4 pages with lines of poetry, 112 pages of detailed notes

Scope and Contents 13 cm x 20.5 cm. Pages numbered, and content is in English and Italian, possibly other languages as well. DLS’s signature on front free end paper with the words “DANTE/ NOTE-BOOK”. Two post cards (May 1947) in between cover and front free end paper with notes on Satan written on them. 122 pages of writing total. About 3/4 of the pages are filled with writing. The notes appear to focus on Hell. 83pp.122 pages of writing total: roughly 64 pages of brief notes and quotations,...

Scope and Contents

13 cm x 20.5 cm. Pages numbered. 17 pages of writing total, about half of which are full. Notes seem more sporadic in this book--some on Dante but also on other authors such as Tennyson. Ideas do not appear as fleshed out in the notebook as in the previous one. 13pp.

17 pages of writing total: 2 pages of brief quotations and notes, 15 pages of longer notes and commentary

Scope and Contents 13 cm x 20.5 cm. Pages numbered, title page reads “Burning Bush & c.” 110 pages of writing total, about half of which are full. The last page contains a sketch or doodle of some sort. Most of this notebook appears to be quotations taken from other commentaries and books. The notes are primarily Dante related and also contain some charts comparing themes in Dante with those of other authors. 68pp.110 pages of writing total: roughly 2 pages of poetry in another language, 4...

Scope and Contents

16 cm x 20 cm. Title page reads: “Queries.” 39 pages of writing total. Maybe 1/4 of them are full. It seems to be a collection of quotes from various theological writings, perhaps in understanding some of the characters in Dante. 40pp.

39 pages of writing total: 15 pages of brief quotations, 24 pages of longer quotation and commentary