Naomi Mitchison Bibliography


News Items relating to NMM Entries here are in date order, rather than the alphabetic order of the "print items".
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X0100	Eugenics Society (membership)

	1914	A "Miss Haldane" of Cherwell, Oxford is listed as an Associate Member of the Oxford branch of the Eugenics Education Society. NMM eventually became a Eugenics Society Life Fellow

X0200	"Announcement of Forthcoming Marriage" (announcement)

	4 Jan 1916	pp 11 of "The Times" announced the forcoming marriage of Naomi Haldane and Gilbert Richard Mitchison

X0400	Rivercourt House tragedy (news item)

	8 Jan 1928	On the night of 7 Jan 1928 a massive tidal surge caused the River Thames to burst its banks and flooded much of riverside London - including the Mitchisons' home at Rivercourt House in Hammersmith. Sadly two servants, Annie Masters Moreton (aged 22) and Evelyn Hyde (aged 20), who were asleep in their basement room were drowned.
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X0500	Shortlisted for Prize (news item)

	26 Nov 1931	pp 12 of "The Times" A report announcing the shortlist for the Femina Vie Heureuse Prize. *The Corn King and the Spring Queen* (A0280) was included.

X0600	Prize Announcement (news item)

	23 Feb 1932	pp 5 of "Daily Mirror" A report announcing the awarding of the Femina Vie Heureuse Prize. *The Corn King and the Spring Queen* (A0280) not successful.

X0650	"Personal Paragraphs" (news item)

	26 Aug 1932	pp 5 of "The Aberdeen Press and Journal" reported, in a column of news snippets, that NMM and family were to occupy Paxton House near Berwick for a few weeks.

X0600	"A Novel Trip to the Canary Islands" (news item)

	14 Feb 1933	pp 4 of "The Evening Telegraph" reported that NMM had embarked on a trip to the Canaries in a cargo steamer. NMM wrote about the trip in a series of 4 articles starting with E7685.

X0700	"Socialist Reception for Mrs Mitchison" (article about NMM)

	5 Feb 1934	pp 12 of "The Glasgow Herald" Reception on 3 Feb 1934 by Scottish Socialist Festival Association in Keir Hardie Institute in Glasgow. This article follows on from another on same page. (talk V3421)

X0800	"Reform in Jeopardy" (news item)

	8 Nov 1934	pp 8 of "The Yorkshire Post" dated 9 Nov 1934 - the paper's London correspondent reported on NMM in attendance at a dance organised by the Dress Reformers at the Suffolk Galleries, off Pall Mall - under the auspices of the Sun-Bathing Society.

X0900	Party Invitation (about)

	24 Feb 1935	pp 15 of "The Sunday Times" in "The Town" column A report of the invitation sent out by the Mitchisons to a Boat-Race Season party - which read in part "Naomi Mitchison may still be in America, but she hopes all the same you will come ...... She wonders whether you have any of her books which you may feel like returning, as somebody else may want to borrow them"

X1000	Parliamentary By-Election (news items) This was a by-election - called when the sitting member, John Buchan, resigned from parliament on being appointed Governer General of Canada. Many papers covered various aspects of the campaign - only a sample of the reports are shown below.

	25 May 1935	pp 15 of "The Scotsman" reported that the writ for the election had been issued - and that NMM had been adopted as the Socialist candidate.
	28 May 1935	pp 3 of "The Times" - a report on nominations for the vacant Scottish Universities seat.
	1 Jun 1935	pp 8 of "The Times" - a report giving details of both candidates, NMM (Labour) and Prof J Graham Kerr (Unionist)
	1 Jun 1935	pp 14 of "The Scotsman" has a lengthy article giving details of both candidates - and assessing their chances.
	1 Jun 1935	pp 11 of "The Yorkshire Post" - gives details of both candidates, the constituency and previous election results
	4 Jun 1935	pp 18 of "The Times" - report that NMM had issued her election address. See pamphlet A0855
	4 Jun 1935	pp 10 of "The Scotsman" of 5 Jun 1935 reported that NMM had been entertained to luncheon at the Edinburgh University Labour Club. See also report on the event (V3550).
	5 Jun 1935	pp 7 of "The Scotsman" of 6 Jun 1935 reported that NMM had addressed a meeting of graduates at St Andrews Univerity. See also report on the event (V3552). pp 4 of "The Dundee Courier and Advertiser" also reported on the event, adding the information that the meeing was held in the Ingram's Rooms in Dundee. At the time Dundee was a college of St.Andrews University & not yet a separate University.
	10 Jun 1935	pp 11 of "The Scotsman" of 11 Jun 1935 carried a report titled "Prof. Kerr Replies to Opponent" on an interview with Professor Graham Kerr in which he analysed NMM's Election Address.
	12 Jun 1935	pp 9 of "The Scotsman" printed a letter headed "Sir Stafford Cripps Urges Support of Socialist". In the same column is a report of Prof. Kerr addressing a meeting in St Andrews.
	13 Jun 1935	pp 7 of "The Scotsman" reported that Prof. Kerr had received a telegram of support from Ramsay MacDonald & that NMM has received a letter from Hugh MacDiarmid in which he appealed to all Scottish Nationalists to vote for her.
	13 Jun 1935	pp 15 of "The Scotsman" of 15 Jun 1935 printed a "letter to the Editor" from Arthur Woodburn on the relative merits of the candidates.
	18 Jun 1935	pp 10 of "The Scotsman" reported that polling was in progress - a process which would last for 4 days.
	25 Jun 1935	pp 14 of "The Times" - Election results announced. NMM was defeated.
	25 Jun 1935	pp 8 of "The Scotsman" carried a lengthy editorial article on outcome of the by-election. On p9 of the same issue a formal announcement of the result was followed by an article on Prof. Kerr.

X1100	"Deputation to German Embassy" (news item)

	19 Jul 1935	pp 15 of "The Scotsman" reported that NMM was part of a "deputation of well-known British women from all walks of life" who were to visit the German Embassy in London. Their aim was to complain about the treatment of women in Nazi Germany. See next item.

X1101	"The German Embassy Cancels a Deputation" (news item)

	19 Jul 1935	pp 11 of "The Manchester Guardian" reported that the German Embassy in London had cancelled the arrangements it had made to receive the deputation. The reason given was that the embassy considered that it was a private deputation and, as such, prior notice should not have appeared in the press. See previous item.

X1200	"John Scott Haldane" (obituary)

	14 Mar 1936	pp 17 of "The Times" of 16 Mar 1936 reported the death of NMM's father in a long obituary.
	14 Mar 1936	pp 10 of "The Scotsman" of 16 Mar 1936 carried a long obituary. - and noted that NMM was at his bedside when her father died.
	14 Mar 1936	pp 5 of "The Yorkshire Post" of 16 Mar 1936 also printed an obituary.

X1300	"Obituary: Prof. J S Haldane" (obituary)

	17 Mar 1936	pp 5 of "The Yorkshire Post" printed a report on the funeral of J S Haldane, which took place in a Quaker ceremony at Golders Green Crematorium.

X1400	Reception at Lancaster House (news item)

	9 Jul 1936	pp 17 of "The Times", in the Court Circular column, reported that NMM was among those attending a reception the previous evening at Lancaster House marking the International Congress of Faiths. See also item V3660

X1450	"Films for Children" (news item)

	21 Sep 1936	pp 12 of "The Dundee Courier and Advertiser", in the Men and Women of To-Day column, reported that NMM was a member of a council set up to plan a special children's film festival in Hampstead, London during the following winter.

X1500	"Sale of Autographed Books" (news item)

	10 Mar 1937	pp 11 of "The Scotsman" reported on a public meeting at St. Andrews where Mrs Willa Muir auctioned a number of specially autographed books in order to raise funds for The Scottish Ambulance Unit in Spain. NMM was one of the authors represented.

X1600	Anglo-Hellenic Cruise (news item)

	Apr 1937	pp 8 of the 18 Jun 1937 edition of the "The Spectator" prints an article by Henry W Nevison describing a recent Mediterranean cruise. NMM was listed among a group of scholars on board .

X1700	"The Late Miss Haldane" (news item)

	28 Dec 1937	pp 10 of the 29 Dec 1937 edition of the "The Scotsman" reporeted on the funeral in Auchterarder of NMM's aunt Miss Elizabeth S Haldane of Cloan. Later the same day a cremation took place at Edinburgh Crematorium. NMM was among many family members present.

X1800	Reception at New Burlington Galleries (news item)

	20 Jan 1938	pp 15 of "The Times" reported that NMM was among those attending a reception the previous evening at he New Burlington Galleries. The reception was hosted by The Mars Group and was held in honour of M. le Corbusier.

X1900	"Argyll Mansion Purchased as Holiday Home" (news item)

	18 Apr 1938	pp 14 of "The Scotsman" reported that NMM & GRM had purchased Carradale House in Kintyre.

X2000	" 'Only Excuse' for Owning Property" (garden party)

	29 Aug 1938	pp 11 of "The Scotsman" on 30 Aug 1938 that NMM & GRM hosted a garden party at Carradale for the Campbeltown Co-operative Society Women's Guild. GRM is quoted as saying that the only excuse for owning an estate was to throw it open for the enjoyment of the community.

X2030	Christmas Card - 1938 (card)

	Xmas 1938	NMM & GRM commissioned Gertrude Hermes to do a wood engraving to use as part of their Christmas Card. The engraving was titled "The Dark Hour", and the cards often include a verse by NMM. It is not known whether this was the case in 1938, and if so which verse was used.

X2070	Christmas Card - 1939 (card)

	Xmas 1939	NMM & GRM commissioned Gertrude Hermes to do a wood engraving to use as part of their Christmas Card. The engraving was titled "Wall of Stones", and the cards often include a verse by NMM. It is not known whether this was the case in 1939, and if so which verse was used.
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X2200	Marriage - Denis (news item)

	9 Sep 1940	pp 1 of "The Times" on 12 Sept 1940 reported the marriage of Denis Anthony Mitchison (eldest son of NMM & GRM) to Ruth Sylvia Gill

X2300	War Weapons Week (news item)

	15 Feb 1941	pp 1 of "The Yorkshire Post" on 10 Feb 1941 reported NMM would open an exhibition of children's posters as part of a War Weapons Week event in Elland, West Yorkshire

X2450	"J B Priestley Backs Jennie Lee" (notice)

	16 Feb 1943	pp 1 of "The Western Daily Press and Bristol Mirror" carried a Public Notice of support for Jennie Lee who was a candidate in the Parliamentary By-Election for the constituency of Bristol Central. NMM was among the list of "Other Famous Men and Women" who added their support.

X2600	"Rent Tribunal for South Argyll" (news item)

	28 Aug 1944	pp 3 of "The Scotsman" on reported that NMM had been appointed as one of 3 members of the Rent Tribunal for South Argyll

X2700	"Children Who Lack Parental Care" (news item)

	20 Apr 1945	pp 3 of "The Scotsman" on reported that NMM had been appointed as one of 15 members of the Committee set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland to advise on the problems of bringing up children who, for whatever reason, lack normal parental care.

X2750	"Scotland U.S.S.R. Society Congress" (news item)

	16 Jun 1945	NMM is listed, with many other prominent Scots, as a Sponsor of the "Scottish Congress for Friendship and Co-operation with the USSR" held in Glasgow on 16-17 June 1945. It is not clear whether NMM actually attended the congress.

X2800	"County Council Elections" (news item)

	6 Dec 1945	pp 3 of "The Scotsman" of 7 Dec 1945 reported on the election results for, among others, Argyll County Council. NMM was returned as the member for Kintyre East.

X3000	"Advisory Panel: Highlands and Islands Development" (news item)

	18 Dec 1947	pp 7 of "The Scotsman" reported on new members of the Advisory Panel - to which NMM was already appointed. All appointments are for terms of 2 years.

X3100	Engagement - Murdoch (news item)

	17 Mar 1947	pp 3 of "The Times" announced the engagement of John Murdoch Mitchison (2nd son of NMM & GRM) to Rosalind Mary Wrong

X3200	"Fishing Development" (news item)

	17 Apr 1947	pp 3 of "The Scotsman" of 18 Apr 1947 reported on a visit to Wick by the fisheries group, including NMM, of the Highlands and Islands Development Committee.

X3250	"Tour by Fisheries Group" (news item)

	22 May 1947	pp 6 of "The Aberdeen Press and Journal" of 23 May 1947 reported on a visit to Aberdeen by the fisheries group, including NMM, of the Highlands and Islands Development Committee. The article was accompanied by a photograph of the group at the Torry Fish Research Station.

X3470	"Launching Ceremony at Eyemouth" (event)

	Aug 1949	pp 6 of "The Berwickshire News and General Advertiser" of 16 Aug 1949 reported that NMM was in attendance at the launching of the fishing vessel "Maid of Morven".

X3500	Book signing (event)

	16 Dec 1949	pp 1 of "The Scotsman" of 14 Dec 1949 advertised a book signing by NMM, Eric Linklater & Douglas Young at James Thin Booksellers of Edinburgh.
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X3600	"Novelist Defeated in Poll" (event)

	22 Jun 1950	pp 5 of "The Scotsman" reported that NMM was defeated in a by-election at Kinlochleven in an attempt to regain a seat on Argyll County Council. She had previously lost her seat at Kintyre East.

X3650	"Crypt Chapel Christening" (event)

	9 Jan 1951	pp 7 of "The Lichfield Mercury" of 12 Jan 1951 reported that NMM was a godparent at a christening held in the Crypt Chapel in the Palace of Westminster. The baby was the daughter of Mr & Mrs Julian Snow - the father being MP for Lichfield & Tamworth. The article was accompanied by a photograph of the baby and its parents. The same paper, on 5 Jan 1951, had announced on pp 4 that the event would take place.

X3700	"Salmon Poachers Used Poison" (news item)

	31 Jul 1951	pp 3 of "The Dundee Courier and Advertiser" reported on a court case at Campbeltown Sheriff Court. 3 men were accused of salmon poaching and poisoning the river. The incident occurred on the Carradale River on the estate of NMM & GRM. All 3 were found guilty & given custodial sentences.
	31 Jul 1951	pp 3 of "The Times" also reported on the court case.

X3800	Scottish Play Award (news item)

	7 Dec 1951	pp 5 of "The Manchester Guardian" repoted that The Glasgow Citizens' Theatre's production of "Spindrift" (D0240) was awarded a prize of £300 for the best new play presented in Scotland during the Festival of Britain. Prize was split, with both authors getting £50 and the theatre getting £200.
	8 Dec 1951	pp 8 of "The Times" also reported on the award.

X3900	"M.P.s Added to Highland Panel" (news item)

	21 Feb 1952	pp 4 of "The Glasgow Herald" reports on revised membership of the Advisory Panel on the Highlands and Islands (which includes NMM)

X3950	"Peace Appeal Authors Return from Soviet" (news item)

	17 Jul 1952	pp 1 of "The Canberra Times" of 19 Jul 1952 reported on the return after two weeks in Russia of a delegation of British writers, all members of the World Peace Appeal. The six authors, including NMM, had been guests of the Union of Soviet Writers.

X4100	Engagement - Val (news item)

	30 Sep 1954	pp 8 of "The Times" announced the engagement of Valentine Mitchison (youngest daughter of NMM & GRM) to Mark Arnold-Foster

X4500	Marriage - Avrion (news item)

	19 Feb 1957	Letter from Avrion Mitchison asking Jim Watson to be his best man - no printed publication. Available online as part of the CSHL Archives Repository

	30 Jul 1957	Invitation to the wedding to be conducted in Portree on the Isle of Skye - no printed publication. Available online as part of the CSHL Archives Repository

	30 Jul 1957	Order of servive for wedding of Avrion Mitchison to Lorna Martin - no printed publication. Available online as part of the CSHL Archives Repository

X4700	P.E.N. Conference - 1959 (news item)

	16 Oct 1959	pp 8 of "The Times" reported on the conference, noting theat NMM was among the notable attendees

X4600	Engagement & Marriage - Lois (news item)

	29 Jan 1959	pp 12 of "The Times" announced the engagement of Lois Mitchison (eldest daughter of NMM & GRM) to John Godfrey
	23 Mar 1959	pp 12 of "The Times" announced the marriage of Lois Mitchison (eldest daughter of NMM & GRM) to John Godfrey
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X4800	"Scots Biggest March Since 1926" (news item)

	20 Feb 1960	pp 16 of "The Times" reported on a mass demonstration/march in Glasgow against the siting of nuclear submarines in Scotland, estimating a turnout of 10,000. NMM was listed as one of the notables taking part.

X5000	Memorial Servicee - NMM's mother (news item)

	11 Jan 1962	pp 12 of "The Times" reported on the memorial service for Mrs John Scott Haldane - NMM's mother - who had died the previous month

X5050	"Writer Opens Scottish Flower Show" (news item)

	10 Apr 1962	pp 7 of "Evening Times" reports that NMM had opened the annual Scottish Rock Garden Club flower show.

X5100	Writers Conference (news item)

	22 Aug 1962	pp 6 of "The Times" reported on the International Writers Conference held in the McEwan Halll in Edinburgh - listing NMM as one of the notable attendees

X5200	Installation of a Chief (news item)

	6 Apr 1963	Linchwe was installed as Kgosi-e-kgolo on the 6th of April 1963 in Botswana. NMM was one of his invited guests

X5600	"Naomi Mitchison's Golden Wedding" (news item)

	Jun 1966	pp ?? of "Kutlwano" (v5.#6)
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X6000	The Gardens at Carradale (news item)

	21 Mar 1970	pp IV of "The Times - Gardening Section" reports that the gardens at Carradale House will be open to the public on Good Friday (27 Mar)
	28 Mar 1970	pp 17 of "The Times" reports that the gardens at Carradale House will be open to the public on on Sat, Sun & Mon (28, 29 & 30 Mar)

X7000	"Stirling Honours Writer" (news item)

	23 Feb 1976	pp 4 of "The Glasgow Herald" - A report on Honorary Doctorate ceremony at Stirling University on 21 Feb 1976

X7100	Sotheby's Auctions - Letters from Tolkien to NMM (articles)

	12 Dec 1977	pp 16 of "The Times" of 14 Dec 1977 reports on an auction at Sotheby's (London) where seven letters from Tolkien to NMM (N7105-N7130) were up for sale. The report gives the prices realised for only two of the letters - it is not clear whether the other five were sold. Letter N7110 sold for £680 and letter N7115 sold for £700
	17 Oct 1978	pp 17 of "The Times" reports on an auction where a letter from J R R Tolkien to NMM (N7105) was sold for £480.
	18 Dec 1986	The Sotheby's catalogue for a London auction includes letter N7115 being resold. The price it made is not known.
	27 Sep 1988	The Sotheby's catalogue for a London auction includes letter N7110 being resold. The price it made is not known.
	11 Dec 2006	The Sotheby's catalogue for a New York auction includes letter N7105 being resold. The price it made is not known.
	?? 2012	Letter N7125 is now in the Tolkien collection at the Marquette University i Milwaukee. It is not known whether this item was aquired at auction or was a private donation.
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X7400	Dinner at Number 10 (news item)

	29 Oct 1980	pp 16 of "The Times" reports that NMM was one of the guests at a dinner at N.10 Downing Street, hosted by Margaret and Denis Thatcher, to mark the visit to the UK of the President of Botswana.

X7600	"Naomi is Still in the Swim" (news item)

	23 Jul 1982	pp 4 of "Evening Times" reports that NMM was dismayed that The Central Hotel in Glasgow had no swiming pool. She was to be a Special Guest at a Science Fiction convention being held there over the following weekend.

X7700	Honorary Degree - Strathclyde (news item)

	15 Mar 1983	pp 14 of "The Times" reports that Strathclyde University will award an D.Litt degree to NMM at a ceremony to be held on 15 Apr 1983

X7800	"CBE for Novelist Still Writing at 86" (article about NMM)

	31 Dec 1984	pp 17 of "The Glasgow Herald" - listing recipients on the New Years Honours list
	31 Dec 1984	pp 4 of "The Times" also lists the award - and includes a photograph of NMM
	31 Dec 1984	back page of "The Guardian" also lists the award.

X7900	Honorary Degree - Dundee (news item)

	4 Jan 1985	pp 12 of "The Times" reports that Dundee University will award an LLD degree to NMM at a ceremony to be held in July 1985

X8300	Honorary Degree - Heriot-Watt (news item)

	28 Dec 1989	pp 23 of "The Evening Times" reports that Heriot-Watt University will award an D.Litt in the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies to NMM at a ceremony to be held in July 1990
up to 1929 1930-39 1940-49 1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990 & later

X8400	"To Commemorate and Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Naomi Mitchison" (event)

	1 Nov 1997	A celebration event was held at The Phuthadikobo Museum in Mochudi, Botswana.

X8500	"Party Time for 100 as Lady Naomi Notches Up a Century" (news item)

	3 Nov 1997	pp 27 of "The Daily Mail" reports on a 3-day gathering at Carradale House with over 100 invited guests.

X8550	"The 'Trendy' Art Chosen for No. 10s Facelift" (news item)

	18 Sep 1999	pp ? of "The Independent" reports that NMM's portrait, on temporary loan from the National Portrait Gallery, will be among a new batch of pictures to be hung in the main entertaining room in No.10 Downing Street.

X8600	"Mitchison's Letters Name Secret Lovers" (news item)

	19 Sep 1999	pp 5 of "The Sunday Times" reports that NMM's letters will not be published to protect the families of some of the people involved. It also lists many of the bequests in NMM's will.

X8800	"Material World of Naomi Mitchison Goes on Sale" (news item)

	7 Oct 2000	pp ?? of "The Telegraph" gave details of several forthcoming auctions of the contents of Carradale House.

X8805	"Naomi Mitchison Ewer Auctioned for £23,000" (news item)

	9 Oct 2000	pp ?? of "The Telegraph" gave details of various lots from Carradale House offered for auction by Lyon & Turnbull of Edinburgh. Several items made well over estimate - including a Chinese Wine Jug, and her writing desk.

X9000	"Wisdom Bid Wins" (news item)

	17 Feb 2001	pp 34 of "The Sunday Express" of 18 Feb 2001 reported on the sale of NMM's copy of the first edition of T E Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom by the Edinburgh auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull. The hammer price was £18,000

X9100	Auction of a Tolkien Book (articles)

	8 Jul 2003	A proof copy of *The Two Towers* given by J R R Tolkien to NMM was auctioned in a Lyon & Turnbull sale. It sold for £1293.

X9300	"The Unknown Naomi Mitchison" (talk)

	Feb 2010	The Summer Newsletter of the "Friends of Glasgow University Library" reports on a talk given at their February meeting by Dr Moira Burgess. In it she revealed that two typescripts of an unpublished book had been found in the Mitchison archive held at the National Library of Scotland. The earlier version was titled *Cousin James* and the later heavily revised version was *Hide and Seek*. The book was a history of NMM's mother's family - the later version linking this history with NMM's own life and work.