| Admin/Biog History | Jeremy Nicolas Hutchinson, Baron Hutchinson of Lullington, QC (1915-2017) was a British barrister. He stood as a Labour candidate in the 1945 General Election and finally entered Parliament as a life peer in 1978, eventually voting with the Liberal Democrats.
He met Nicolson at Oxford where the two became firm friends, socialising in the same circles and, in the third year, moving into lodgings together at 7 Beaumont Street. They shared a mutual interest in art, playing an instrumental role in the activities of the Florentine Club, and undertaking several trips abroad together in the 1930s, viewing works in public and private collections. Hutchinson and Nicolson's friendship continued post Oxford: they corresponded regularly recording, in particular, their views on the art they had seen on their various travels. The archive contains very little correspondence following Hutchinson's marriage to Peggy Ashcroft in 1940. |
| Description | Includes correspondence from Benedict Nicolson to Jeremy Hutchinson. All the letters are of a personal nature, the majority concerning discussion of travels including, in particular, Nicolson's views and impressions on the public and private collections he visited around the world. The letters also include recommendations about where to stay and what to visit when abroad; arrangements for socialising and for travels together; information about works purchased by Nicolson; views on books; films and the ballet. They also discuss mutual friends and relationships; and their early experiences in the Second World War. Nicolson & Hutchinson corresponded regularly in the 1930s and the letters are best read alongside the journals for this period. The file contains only one letter post 1940.
The majority of letters are not fully dated (Nicolson rarely wrote the year on his correspondence) but it has been possible to identify approximates dates by consulting the journals. Definite dates have been pencilled onto the top right hand corner of the letter; approximate dates have been prefixed with a question mark.
It is not known how the letters, written by Nicolson, came back into his possession.
Of particular note:
-letter, undated [but probably c1934-1935], concerning a visit to Cambridge to view the private collection of paintings in the Collection of Hutchinson's sister
-letter, undated [but probably c1934], concerning pictures purchased in Paris; speakers for the Florentine Club
-letter, undated [but probably c1934], concerning the proposal that Duncan Grant speak at the Florentine Club
-letter, undated [March 1935], concerning a visit to Paris, a conversation with Jacques Emile-Blanche about Dufy and the private collection of Paul Guillaime
-letter, undated [April 1935] concerning a visit to Freisz' studio, meeting Jacques Emile Blanche
-two letters, undated [but 3 & 7 July 1935] concerning this experiences on board the 'Normandie' and his voyage to New York
-letter, undated [but probably August 1935], concerning a visit to America to study pictures in public & private collections
-letter, undated [22 August 1935] concerning a visit to the Kunsthistorische Museum, Vienna
-letter, undated [but probably c1936], in which Nicolson records he has written a will in which he leaves all the art he has collected to Hutchinson
-letter, undated [5 September 1936], concerning a visit to Venice to study the pictures in public and private collections
-letter, dated 10 October 1936, concerning a visit to Amsterdam to study pictures in public & private collections
-letter, undated [20 May 1937] concerning his work at the National Gallery; his views on Art History as a career; his character; relationship with Jeremy Hutchinson and with Laura Bonham-Carter
-letter, dated 2 November 1939, concerning his experiences in the Anti-Aircaft Battery and his views on the Second World War
-letter, dated 7 September, 1940, congratulating Hutchinson on his engagement to Peggy Ashcroft and commenting on his own prospects for marriage
-letter, undated [but probably c1955], concerning his forthcoming marriage |