Richmal Crompton

Richmal Crompton (1890 – 1969) was best known for her Just William stories. She originally trained as a Classics teacher and taught first at St. Elphin’s boarding school and then Bromley High School, which is less than 2 miles from Max's offices in Chislehurst where she also lived most of her life. She turned to full time writing after having contracted polio in early 1920s which left her unable to teach. The stories were published between 1919 (first published in the Happy Magazine) and 1970 (Newnes and later MacMillan).

The Richmal Crompton Collection was transferred to the University of Roehampton as a deposit by the Literary Estate of Richmal Crompton Lamburn in late 2007 with an opening in January 2008. It comprises of all her belongings associated with her as a writer but also private life such as material concerning her education or correspondence with family members and friends, and diaries. Of course there is a rich collection of manuscripts, drafts, jottings, radio plays, correspondence with fans and publishers (continuing after her death), press cuttings and of course photographs, etc. The collection also holds her private library, and last but not least her publications, namely Just William books in numerous editions and translations as well as her lesser known adult fiction.

Max are delighted to be digitising this fantastic collection.