Fonds CJSS - Cecil Sprigge papers

22 letters

Donated by Giglia Sprigge, April 2012

A collection of letters written by CP Scott, editor of the Manchester Guardian (1873-1929) and WP Crozier (then assistant editor), to Cecil Sprigge from March 1923 to February 1929 during his employment as foreign correspondent for the paper. The letters provide an insight into post war Italy and cover topics relating to the economic and political climate and in particular the fascist regime under the leadership of Mussolini. Other topics covered include the arts and archeology with reference to excavations at Herculaneum, and general discussions centered around daily life as a foreign correspondent in difficult times.

Administrative/Biographical history: Cecil Jackson Squire Sprigge, son of Sir Squire Sprigge, was born in London in 1896 and educated at Eton and Kings College Cambridge. In 1923 he joined the Manchester Guardian as Italian correspondent based in Rome, succeeding the literary critic Emilio Cecchi. He left Italy for Berlin in 1929 but was recalled to England in the same year to take up the post of city editor, a role he was to remain in until his departure from the paper in 1939. He later returned to the Guardian in 1953 as leader writer on foreign affairs. He died in London on 22 December 1959.

Chronological

For files of a similar nature see Manchester University: John Rylands Library 149/S20/1-24 (1937-1956) and University of Reading: Special Collections MS 1640/7282 and AUC 851/15