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Finding Aid

Simpson, N. F. (Norman Frederick), 1919-

N. F. Simpson fonds. -- 1957-1978. -- 50 cm of textual records and graphic material.

N. F. Simpson, playwright, was born in London on 29 January 1919. He was educated at the University of London and for many years made his living as a teacher. He established his reputation as a playwright in the Ionesco line with two productions in the late 1950s: A Resounding Tinkle, produced in 1957 and published in 1958 and One Way Pendulum, produced in 1959 and published in 1960. These plays present the absurd in a deadpan manner. Simpson has also written for radio and television and published one novel Harry Bleachbaker (1976). From 1976 to 1978 he was literary manager of the Royal Court Theatre.

The fonds consists of the manuscripts and typescripts of published and unpublished plays and other works, as well as a small amount of correspondence and printed material, mostly programme and 10 film stills.

Title based on content of fonds.
The fonds was purchased from Bertram Rota Ltd. in June 1980. At that time it was the complete fonds with only one or two pieces missing that Simpson had earlier sold elsewhere.
Finding aid is available in hard copy and electronically.
There are no access restrictions.
Further accruals are not expected.

Contact: archives@mcmaster.ca
Last Reviewed: February 1, 2010
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