The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University

MERTON'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH:
Northbourne, Lord, 1896-1982

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Descriptive Summary

Record Group: Section A - Correspondence

Dates of materials: 1965-1967

Volume: 12 item(s); 23 pg(s)

Scope and Content

Biography

Lord Northbourne, born Walter Ernest Christopher James, was the 4th Baron Northbourne, residing in Deal, Kent, England. Lord Northbourne began as an agronomist, serving as Provost of Wye College of University of London. After reading Marco Pallis, he became involved in the Traditionalist / Perennialist movement of writers. Northbourne sometimes used the nom de plume of Sidi Nuh. Pallis in turn suggested that he send Merton a copy of his book, Religion in the Modern World. Merton sent him back a copy of his response to the document of the Second Vatican Council entitled, Gaudium et Spes (the Church in the Modern World). Merton's essay, later incorporated into Redeeming the Time, was called "The Church and the 'Godless' World". (Sources: Witness to Freedom.; and "Northbourne, Lord". World Wisdom Books (website). 6 Jan. 2006. ‹http://worldwisdom.com/author/Detail.asp?AuthorID=43&WhatType=2›.)

Usage Guidelines and Restrictions

Related Information and Links

See also the "Pallis, Marco" and "Lings, Martin" files for other Traditionalist / Perennialist writers; and see also published letters from Merton to Lord Northbourne in Witness to Freedom, pp. 312-319. All but one letter of the exchange (the outstanding letter having been summarized), is included in the book, Religion in the Modern World. The same letters were reprinted in another book by the same publisher,

Series List

This Record Sub-Group is not divided into Series and is arranged chronologically.

Container List

SeriesDateTypeTo/FromFirst LinesPubFull TextNotes
 1965/04/18 TL[c]from MertonI have just finished reading your book on <u>Religion in the Modern World</u>. Since I did not want  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1966/01/04 HLSto MertonSome time ago you asked me to send you anything I might get published. Here is a lecture I had  [précis of Northbournes letter included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1966/02/23 TALS[x]from MertonThanks for your kind letter and for the copy of your lecture which I read with great interest,  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1966/08/03 TALSto MertonI have read your commentary on the Vatican Council's Constitution on the Church in the Modern World  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1966/08/30 (#01)TLSfrom MertonI am really very grateful for your thoughtful letter, and of course you know that I am basically  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1966/08/30 (#02)TL[c]from MertonI am really very grateful for your thoughtful letter, and of course you know that I am basically  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information" / extra copy of the last page]
 1966/10/08 HLSto MertonThank you very much for your letter of 30th Aug. It has been helpful to me in clearing my own head,  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1967/06/04 TL[c]from MertonFor a long time I have owed you a letter. But I know you understand that if I tried to keep up  [Included in <i>Religion in the Modern World</i> - see "Related Information"]
 1972/10/23 HLSto Center from Northbourne, LordThank you for your letter about correspondence with the late Thomas Merton. It's dated 7th August,   
 1973/01/02 HLSto Center from Northbourne, LordA letter from you dated Dec. 27th arrived here to-day. I enclose part of the envelope   
 1973/01/18 (#01)TNSfrom Center to Delius, BettyEnclosed is a copy of Lord Northbourne's letter to me, a copy of my reply, and original copy  [Betty Delius was Library Director for Bellarmine College]
 1973/01/18 (#02)TL[x] from Northbourne, LordI am embarrassed at the mis-addressing of my previous letter to you. I really can't explain it,   
        

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