12 February 2009: Houses by the Sea – Celebrating Robin Hyde
"If I am ever going to have any more babies I shan't ask you for bonuses, merely for a castle, a forest, a cat, or perhaps the title of Poet Laureate . . . something to fool some, annoy others, and create a diversion..." – Robin Hyde to John A Lee, 23 October 1937
The Alexander Turnbull Library recently acquired a fascinating collection of papers and photographs relating to the life and work of New Zealand writer Robin Hyde (1906-1939).
The papers were collected by Hyde's son and biographer, Derek Challis, and include his own research material and correspondence, and that of his co-biographer, Gloria Rawlinson. The heart of the collection, however, contains the manuscripts of Robin Hyde's novels, her journals, poems and short stories, both published and unpublished, personal papers that document her struggles with ill health, poverty and the lack of critical recognition, letters to friends and family and a rich collection of photographs, many of which have not previously been published.
Some of Robin Hyde's papers are held in other institutions, but this is the richest and largest body of original material relating to her life and work.
Tribute event
On the evening of Thursday 26 February, Derek Challis, Michele Leggot, the current New Zealand Poet Laureate and editor of Young Knowledge: the poems of Robin Hyde, and Lydia Wevers, director of the Stout Research Centre, will read and comment on Robin Hyde's poetry. The event is being held as a tribute to Hyde's work and to commemorate the outstanding contribution of Michele Leggot to New Zealand poetry.
All media representatives are warmly invited to attend the event.
Houses by the Sea
Derek Challis, Michele Leggott, and Lydia Wevers read Robin Hyde
National Library of New Zealand
Thursday 26 February 2009
5.30pm Reception in main foyer
6.15pm-7.15pm Readings in auditorium
The New Zealand Poet Laureate Award was established in May 2007. It is funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by the National Library of New Zealand. The New Zealand Poet Laureate Award is based on the Te Mata Estate New Zealand Poet Laureate established in 1996, which it superseded.
For further information
Susan Bartel, Public Relations Manager, Alexander Turnbull Library
Phone (04) 474 3119 or 027 223 5159
Email susan.bartel@natlib.govt.nz
For further information about the Robin Hyde collection
Visit Timeframes, the Library's pictorial website
Visit Tapuhi, our catalogue of manuscripts and other unpublished material
