- Collection Overview
- Collection Description & Creator Information
- Access & Use
- Collection History
- Find Related Materials
Writings, 1943-1963
Collection Overview
Collection Description & Creator Information
- Scope and Contents
Includes handwritten and typed drafts of and notes relating to various works, including books, scripts, short stories, music, articles and essays, and poetry, several of which Behan drafted during his time in Mountjoy Prison and Curragh Camp. Of special note are three manuscripts for Borstal Boy, including two substantial annotated typescripts and a copybook containing what appears to be the earliest preparatory draft written in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, in 1948, as well as notes in Irish relating to the work. (Note that the different versions of Borstal Boy are located within several of the genre types listed here (Books, Scripts, and Miscellaneous Notes).
There are 10 autograph manuscript drafts for individual works, 16 annotated typescripts, 21 unannotated typescripts, 5 autograph notebooks containing literary drafts, notes, and memoranda, and approximately 131 pages of fragmentary autograph and typed notes and drafts.
Some items include related correspondence.
- Arrangement
As no original order was discernible, materials were arranged by type/genre.
Collection History
- Custodial History
According to the auction house at which the collection was purchased, the papers are comprised of everything that passed into the possession of Brendan Behan's widow, Beatrice Behan, upon his death.
- Appraisal
No materials were removed from the collection during 2018 processing beyond routine appraisal practices.
- Processing Information
Some manuscript items were repaired by Conservation staff during 2018 processing.
This collection was processed by Faith Charlton with assistance from Julia English '19 in 2018. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton with assistance from Julia English '19 in 2018.
Access & Use
- Conditions Governing Access
Open for research.
- Conditions Governing Use
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.
- Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
- Credit this material:
Writings; Brendan Behan Papers, C1596, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
- Location:
-
Firestone LibraryOne Washington RoadPrinceton, NJ 08544, USA
- Storage Note:
- Firestone Library (mss): Boxes B-001194 to B-001196
