Silvia had a vast array of Friends, especially between the Wars, but we only have evidence of those who wrote to her and, in a few cases, of those to whom she wrote letters. The correspondence, as mentioned on other pages, is held in various libraries – notably the Beinecke Rare Books & Manuscript Library at Yale University. Copies and some originals are held in family collections. Insights about some of her friends can also be extracted from her two travel books.
Beinecke Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT
A - Mentors
There are three specific friends who had a significant influence on Silvia, especially in her 20’s & 30’s (approx. 2013-1933). I consider them to be her Mentors. They were:
(Uncle) Charles Reeve (1857-1936) – Barrister & Journalist
Ralph Hodgson (1871-1961) – Poet & Lecturer
Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945) – Principal of the RCA
All three were admirers as well as mentors and, given that Silvia’s father died when she was only 9 years old, they were probably ‘father-figures’ too. Reeve and Hodgson were acquaintances, in and around Fleet Street, through the press network.
Rothenstein, moved in a wide-ranging artistic and literary circle. He was an admirer of Hodgson’s poetry and the two were introduced by Silvia. Subsequently, Hodgson was included in Volume II of Rothenstein’s Men & Memories.
There are no letters from Reeve, just comments about him in other people’s letters. The correspondence between Hodgson and Silvia lasted a lifetime, as well as with Aurelia, his third wife.
The letters from Rothenstein began in the mid-1920’s and continue, spasmodically, until a couple of months before his death; in several, she is addressed rather fetchingly as ‘Helen of Troy’.
Other Influences (aside from all things artistic) that affected her life were
Religion (tradition, cults and Catholicism…)
Politics (two world wars, suffragette movement, the abdication…)
Literature (books/authors mentioned in several letters)
B - Correspondents
The correspondents listed below are in alphabetical order according to surname. Please click on those shown in colour to access their part in Silvia’s story. It will take time to add details for all the remaining names…
Bagnold, Enid (Lady Jones)
Clough-Taylor, Eric (poet)
Hillier, Tristram (artist)
Hodgson, Muriel (Hodgson’s 2nd wife)
Hunt, Violet (novelist & feminist)
Gibson, Nan/Nancy (met in Jamaica)
John, Augustus (artist)
Larsen, Per (Danish photographer)
Nash, Paul (artist)
Pearson, Fenton & Lago (American academics & wine connoisseur)
Plank, George Wolfe (American illustrator)
Rutherston, Albert (theatre designer & artist; Wm Rothenstein’s brother)
Steen, Marguerite (author)
Turner, Delphine & Walter (poet)
Williams-Ellis, Sir Clough (architect)
———————-
Some other admirers …
School friends …
Friends but no correspondence:
Bryher, (novelist, born Annie Winifred Ellerman)
& Doolittle, Hilda (American poet & author, aka HD)
Freedman, Barnett (artist)