Sunday, October 06, 2024

DOWNLAND by Anna Dillon and Jonathan Davidon

The RICHARD JEFFERIES BIRTHDAY LECTURE takes place on Monday 4 November 2024 at 7.30pm (UK time) via a Zoom link that is open to everyone.

Anna Dillon and Jonathan Davidson will be talking about the wonderful North Wessex Downs that played such an important part of Richard Jefferies' life and formed the background drop to so much of his writing and inspiration.

Anna will be sharing her artwork from their recently published book DOWNLAND and Jonathan will be reading some of his poems.

If you would like the link to join this free event, please email richardjefferiessociety@btinternet.com.

Thursday, October 03, 2024

The Richard Jefferies Society was established in 1950 and has members in all parts of the world. It is a registered charity (no. 1042838) managed by an Executive Council of volunteers.

The Objects of the Society are:

o To promote interest in, and respect for the life and works of Richard Jefferies.

o To hold meetings of its members and others, at which lectures may be given bearing on the life, work and times of Richard Jefferies.

o To maintain a collection of and help make available to members copies of the works of Richard Jefferies and associated literature.

o To monitor and protect as far as possible the buildings and countryside associated with Richard Jefferies.

o To provide members with news and information about Richard Jefferies by means of a newsletter and journal.

Newsletters, with information about the writer, events, publications and services are circulated to members twice a year along with an annual report. In addition they receive a copy of the Society's Journal containing hitherto unpublished writing by Jefferies, new articles, research and book reviews. The Society has a special concern for such places as the writer's birthplace at Coate, Coate Water, Liddington Hill, and the memorial stone on Burderop Down, all in Wiltshire. Other places of pilgrimage are at Surbiton, Sydenham and Eltham near London, and at Brighton, Crowborough and at his final home at Goring by Sea, Sussex where he died at the age of 38. Richard Jefferies' grave is in Broadwater cemetery at Worthing.

A Bursary is available for projects that promote a new understanding of the writings of Jefferies.

The Society awards a yearly literary prize for excellence in nature writing in association with the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough.

The Society holds extensive archives at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Download a draft catalogue of our archives held there.

Friday, July 12, 2024

The Scarlet Shawl published 150 years ago

1874 was a significant year for Richard Jefferies. On the 16^th July, just over a week after his marriage to Jessie Baden, his first published novel, The Scarlet Shawl, appeared. This was published by Tinsley Bros., London. Tinsley were also the publishers of the early novels of Thomas Hardy and Anthony Trollope and several best-selling authors of the time. The Scarlet Shawl was the first of three novels by Jefferies published by Tinsley.

150th Wedding Anniversary

Richard Jefferies and Jessie Baden were married at the parish church of the Holy Cross, Chiseldon on Wednesday 8^th July 1874. Richard’s brother and sister, Henry James and Sarah, were the witnesses, but it is not known if Jefferies’ parents were present, nor who else was at the ceremony.

Chiseldon Church, Wiltshire c1910. Kate Allen Tryon (1865–1952)

Survey of members

Earlier this year we carried out a survey of our members. One of the questions we asked was:

Why did you join the Richard Jefferies Society? For example was it a love of his writings; or of nature; or you live in Wiltshire; or have a connection with Wiltshire?

We received the following answers: