Lasting legacy: J.B. Priestley’s son’s will donates royalties to preserve archive
The University of Bradford’s archive of Bradford-born author J.B. Priestley will continue to flourish after a donation of future royalties in his son’s will.
An ongoing share of the royalties from his works has been donated in the will of J.B. Priestley’s son, Tom Priestley, a film editor, who died aged 91 in 2023. The proceeds will support the preservation and development of the archive at the University’s library, named after the author.
The donation means every copy sold, or performance of, ‘An Inspector Calls’, a 1945 play by J.B. Priestley, will benefit the University’s archive.
From left, Harold Wilson and J.B. Priestley at the University of Bradford library’s official opening in October 1975. Images credit: University of Bradford
J.B. Priestley received an honorary degree from the University of Bradford in 1970, while Tom received the same honour in 2010.
J.B. Priestley’s granddaughter, Sadie Wykeham, who runs the J.B. Priestley literary estate on behalf of the family with her brother Joel Wykeham, said: “Tom Priestley, the youngest of J.B. Priestley’s five children, was himself a distinguished award-winning film editor, as well as the recipient of an honorary degree from the University of Bradford.
“After the death of his father, he managed the literary estate on behalf of the Priestley family and came to appreciate the sterling work done by the Special Collections Department at the J.B. Priestley Library at the University.
“So, it is only fitting that he chose to leave part of his share of royalties to this most worthy recipient, and his family send their very best wishes to the Department, the Library and the University it serves.”
The statue of J.B. Priestley which is located inside the University’s library. Images credit: University of Bradford
J.B. Priestley’s University links
The University’s library houses J.B. Priestley’s archive, featuring scripts of plays, films and TV broadcasts, journal articles, lectures, press cuttings, theatre programmes and other publicity material, business and personal correspondence and a huge collection of photographs. There are objects including J.B. Priestley’s pipes, painting materials, typewriter and clothing.
Alongside then-Prime Minister and University Chancellor Harold Wilson, J.B. Priestley officially opened the library on 18 October 1975.
The University’s library celebrated its 50th anniversary in October this year with past and present staff attending an event, which also featured a screening of ‘Welcome to Bradford University Library’, a 1979 film capturing how the site operated in its early years.
A Wedgewood vase decorated by J.B. Priestley in 1933 and described by J.B. Priestley in his book ‘English Journey’, sold at auction following his death in 1984 was donated to the University’s Special Collections this year. The vase disappeared until this year, when it was donated by the person who bought it at auction almost 40 years ago. A statue of J.B. Priestley is also on display in the library.
Julie Parry, University of Bradford Archivist, holds a Wedgewood vase decorated by J.B. Priestley in 1933 which was donated to the Special Collections. Images credit: University of Bradford
Julie Parry, the University’s Archivist, said: “This generous contribution will provide valuable and much welcomed funds for the continued preservation, promotion, and sustainability of the remarkable J.B. Priestley archive.
“The J.B. Priestley archive is one of the largest and most popular of the Special Collections at Bradford. Most of the material has been kindly donated by the Priestley estate.
“The University is proud to provide a home for the archive and is committed to ensuring current and future generations of researchers can learn about the legacy of J.B. Priestley and his link to Bradford.”
J.B. Priestley during his time serving as a Lance Corporal in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment from August 1915 until he was commissioned as an officer in January 1918. Images credit: University of Bradford
How the University will benefit
The ongoing royalties will support a number of projects, initially including a conservation project to assess the objects within the archive and provide them with museum-standard storage.
Other benefits will include a collection management system, and a digitisation project of the collection’s items.
For more information on the J.B. Priestley archive, go to the University special collections webpage https://www.bradford.ac.uk/library/special-collections/our-collections/collections/j-b-priestley-archive/ To book an appointment contact special-collections@bradford.ac.uk