Reference code
RAA/SEC/10/44/9
Title
Laura [Knight], Park Hotel, Colwall, Malvern, Worcs, to Violet [Munnings]
Date
27 Aug 1961
Level
Item
Extent & medium
1 piece
Historical Background
Alfred Munnings's first wife, Florence, committed suicide in 1914.
The biography in question is
The Englishman, 1962, by
Reginald Pound
Content Description
The letter concerns
Sir Alfred Munnings's first wife [
Florence Carter Munnings]. Knight is concerned that a proposed biography of Munnings should not apportion any blame to him for the tragedy of his first marriage. She speaks of Florence Munnings's instability, and her refined cruelty towards her husband. She asks Violet Munnings to tell the author of the proposed biography to visit her in London, so that she can tell him the truth without "horrid detail." The letter is annotated in red ink by Violet Munnings, signing herself "VM", who writes: "Please write to Dame Laura" and "Please do go + see Dame Laura".
Acquisition Details
The letter was probably forwarded by Violet Munnings directly to the author of the biography, Reginald Pound (there are three other letters to him from Laura Knight among her member's correspondence file) and subsequently passed by the author to the Royal Academy.
Associated Material
See RAA/SEC/10/44/8-11.