Letters and papers from W. J. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), commonly known as "Popie". He was a theatre historian, publicist, biographer and close friend of Ivor Novello (David Ivor Davies, 1893–1951).
Many of these papers were referenced by Macqueen-Pope when writing the Ivor Novello biography 'Ivor: The Story of an Achievement'.
The papers include a small number of original letters from Novello, reminiscences and correspondence from Novello's friends and associates including his librettist Christopher Hassall, business manager Fred Allen, novelist G. B. Stern, actresses Constance Colm, Mary Ellis, Olive Gilbert, Zena Dare, Jean Webster-Brough, actors Lyn Harding, Barry Jones, Henry Kendall, Keneth Kent, Philip Desborough, costume designer Gilbert Clark, aristocratic friends Lord Cromer and Lady Juliet Duff.
The main subjects are writings by Macqueen-Pope relating to Novello (including drafts from the biography); material relating to Novello's will; Macqueen-Pope’s role in organising Ivor Novello’s funeral (including funeral addresses by Hassall, Macqueen-Pope and Rev. E. Gwyn Evans); a memorial service; the placing of his memorial bust (by Clemence Dane) at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; Macqueen-Pope's involvement in the BBC memorial radio broadcast; an apparently unsuccessful effort to found an Ivor Novello Fellowship; and letters from Novello fans.
An earlier programme of "I Lived With You”, has been added to the papers.