Appeal for Newman letters

The Birmingham Oratory launched a worldwide appeal on Friday for letters written by and also sent to Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890). The letters and associated material is wanted for inclusion in Volume 32, the last of the Letters & Diaries of John Henry Newman, originally masterminded by Father Stephen Dessain, the renowned Newman scholar, and first editor, in the mid-1950's. Volume 32 will contain letters to and from Newman that have survived over the years but were too late for inclusion in the previous 31 volumes. The Birmingham Oratory in Edgbaston, which he built and opened in 1852, has already accumulated a considerable number of these letters that have come to light over the years, and continue to come to light, from right round the world. Dr Frank McGrath, a Marist Brother from Australia, took over the editorship of the Letters & Diaries following the sudden death of the Archivist, Gerard Tracey, in January. Launching the appeal, Dr McGrath said: "Newman's Letters and Diaries are among the greatest collection in the English language. Already this year, important letters have come to light from the United States of America, Australia and England. I am convinced that there are still more letters tucked away in other archives, libraries and personal collections. "The Birmingham Oratory is inviting people interested in the life and times of John Henry Newman to send me a photocopy of any letters to and from Newman with relevant background information about their origin for inclusion in Volume 32 of this important work." To contact Dr McGrath, write to him at: Newman Archivum, The Oratory, Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 8UE. Email: vestarb16@yahoo.com" fivestarb16@yahoo.com Source: Birmingham Archdiocese