Kingsley Amis (1922-) is the author of seventeen novels, three collections of poetry, over twenty short stories, and ten books of social or literary criticism. He was born in London to William Robert and Rosa Annie Lucas Amis. He began school at Norbury College, then attended the City of London School until 1941, when he received a scholarship to St. John's College, Oxford. At St. John's Amis met Philip Larkin; both men were studying English Literature and remained close friends throughout their lives.
In 1942 Amis was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Signal Corps. He served in the British Army for three years in France, Belgium, and West Germany. He returned to St. John's in 1945 and received his degree in 1947. Despite the rejection of his research degree thesis
Since the beginning of his career in 1947 Amis has continued to write and publish poetry and essays. His best known work, however, is his prose fiction. In 1954 Amis published his first novel,
While Amis made his reputation with the satiric fiction of his early novels such as
The Kingsley Amis collection, 1933-1968, consists of typescript and holograph drafts and notes for his works. The works in the collection are arranged in chronological order, beginning with two unpublished works, an essay book written by Amis at age 11 and his rejected B. Litt. Thesis (1947), followed by material relating to ten of the seventeen books Amis published between 1954 and 1968.
The collection contains material relating to Amis works in several genres. Included are corrected typescripts of two of his satiric novels,
The collection offers extensive material for examining Amis' method of composition and editing: it reveals Amis' propensity for creating lists, outlining scenes, and taking notes on whatever scrap of paper was at hand. There is no material relating to his personal life. The collection contains only one piece of correspondence: a note dated 29 September 1968, from Anthony Hobson to Mrs. Kingsley Amis.
Purchase, 1969 Reg #4641
Open for research
Bill Stingone, 1995