Heritage Quay showcases previously unseen Ted Hughes artefacts
A new exhibition of rare works and artefacts from Yorkshire poet Ted Hughes has opened at Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield.
Ted Hughes: Making of a poet laureate showcases a wealth of material recently donated by Carol Hughes, Ted’s widow, and marks 40 years since the Mytholmroyd-born writer was appointed Poet Laureate following the death of Sir John Betjeman. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday until 21 September.
In recent years, the University of Huddersfield has been fortunate enough to assemble one of the world’s biggest collections of Ted Hughes’ rarest books and artefacts, and some are on display in the exhibition. Among those who made this possible were Donald Crossley, Hughes’ childhood friend and schoolmate, Mark Hinchliffe, a local poet whose work Hughes encouraged as well as Carol Hughes.
The exhibition was curated by English literature students from the university in partnership with the Heritage Quay team.
Included in this display is Ted's discus from his school days
Letters to friends and family feature as well as signed books
Items include a clay jaguar made by the former poet laureate
The exhibition is on until 21 September
The exhibition was launched with an event attended by Carol Hughes, who said, “It really feels like the collection is coming home. I’m delighted all these items are with Heritage Quay, and I am thrilled by the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone who works here.”
There is a range of items on display, including signed manuscripts, Hughes’ birth certificate, school reports, a discus and letters to family and friends. Not on display, but also donated and part of the Hughes collection which can be viewed online are passports which reveal how Hughes’ travels inspired his work.
Dr Steve Ely, Director of the Ted Hughes Network, said, "The three passports have more than artefactual value as they confirm Hughes' international movements in the relevant periods - confirming, for example, that Hughes visited Mali in early 1972 with Brook et al at the beginning of The Conference of Birds project."