Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1940s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
11 drawings: pencil sketches with varying degrees of colour
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Caryll Houselander was born on September 29, 1901, in Bath, England, to Gertrude Provis Houselander and Willmott Houselander. After her parents' separation, Houselander was sent to a French-run convent boarding school in Olton (1913-1915) until she became ill and paused her education to live in a convalescent home. In 1917, she moved to an English convent school, but dropped out to begin working that same year. Despite lacking formal theological education, Houselander went on to make significant contributions to various religious periodicals and published multiple books throughout her adult life. She was a Catholic artist, mystic, and spiritual writer. Her first book, "This War is the Passion," was published in 1941. Houselander's work often explored the theme of finding Christ in humanity and emphasized the importance of empathy in the modern age. Her writings provided comfort and guidance to many individuals during and after the World Wars. Houselander passed away on October 12, 1954, at the age of 53.
Archival history
Most of the sketches held at the John M. Kelly Library Special Collections are studies for a series of coloured drawings of the Stations of the Cross. The coloured drawings were created for Lydwine van Kersbergen, Doddridge Farm, Libertyville Il and most were presumably lost in a torpedo attack while en route to U.S.A. in 1941, though there is one fully coloured image present in this series.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by Margot King.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
Accrued in one donation.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
All drawings from this series are encased in non-archival frames.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Houselander, Caryll (Subject)
Genre access points
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Dates of creation revision deletion
Created by A Mociani 21 March 2025.
Language(s)
English
Script(s)
Sources
Coady, M. F. (2023). Caryll Houselander : a biography. Orbis Books.
King, M. (2002). Caryll Houselander Art Work. Peregrina Publishing Co.
Ward, M. (1962). Caryll Houselander. Sheed & Ward.