| Description | The collection is the complete literary and personal archive of Jack Clemo. Included are all his manuscript notebooks and typescripts for prose work as well as poetry. The collection also includes personal letters, diaries, photographs, reviews, newcuttings and files of correspondence with readers, together with a small library of his printed books. |
| Admin History | Reginald John 'Jack' Clemo (1916-1994) was a poet who was born in Cornwall. As a child he experienced two periods of blindness, and by the age of 19 he had lost almost all of his hearing. He left school at the age of 12. He began to write at the end of his schooldays, but for many years his only vehicle for publishing his verse and stories was a local newspaper. In 1948, he published a novel, 'Wilding Graft'. This was followed in 1949 by an autobiography, 'Confession of a Rebel', and in 1951, by his first volume of poetry, 'The Clay Verge'. Further volumes of poetry in 1961 'The Map of Clay', and in 1967 'Cactus on Carmel', furthered his reputation as a poet. He published a theological volume, 'The Invading Gospel' in 1958. By 1955, he was totally blind and, although periodically he was able to faintly hear music, he could no longer recognise speech. He continued to write and publish. His later works include 'The Echoing Tip' (1971) and 'Broad Autumn' (1975). He was awarded a Civil List Pension in 1961 in recognition of his literary achievements. In 1981, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter. In 1968, he married Ruth Peaty (1923-2007), a laundry worker from Weymouth. |