Correspondence with Eric Otto Siepmann

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 GDN/A/S52
  • Dates of Creation
      16 Jul 1929-29 Jul 1951
  • Physical Description
      85 pieces; 94 sheets

Scope and Content

Correspondence between Eric Otto Siepmann (1903-1970), playwright and journalist, and E.T. Scott, relating to the employment of Siepmann as holiday cover for Robert Dell, journalist, as correspondent for the Manchester Guardian in Paris. Also included is a request by Siepmann to be considered for permanent employment by the paper, with details of previous experience, and an offer of two weeks employment at the paper, which is accepted, and accompanied by related internal memoranda. There are letters from Dell, discussing Siepmann, his work and proposed training at the office of the Manchester Guardian, and with reference to his personal situation.

Also included is discussion of Siepmann's employment as a correspondent for the paper in Geneva, with reference to articles, events, Siepmann's experiences of the situation and atmosphere in Geneva, and arrangements for communication. There is correspondence relating to Siepmann's continued provision of holiday cover to Dell in Paris, and for the exchange of roles by Dell and Siepmann on further occasions so that Dell may report for the paper on the League [of Nations] council meetings, accompanied by related internal memoranda. There is a request by Siepmann for permission to contribute articles to foreign newspapers, which is granted, and discussions of requests for increases in salary, and the payment of expenses.

There is also correspondence relating to a visit by Siepmann to Berlin to investigate the German perspective on disarmament, with discussion of his experience, potential articles on the subject, and reference to assistance provided to Siepmann by Frederick Augustus Voigt, journalist and author. There is discussion of E.T. Scott's decision to have Siepmann provide coverage of the League [of Nations] assembly session, and of the engagement of [Sylvia] Meade as a telephonist to assist in the work. There is a request by E.T. Scott that Siepmann come to work in the Manchester office of the paper, owing to a staffing shortage, with discussion of a potential permanent move to Manchester, accompanied by related internal memoranda. Also included is correspondence relating to Siepmann's request for a leave of absence from work, followed by his resignation, discussion of Siepmann's personal difficulties, and internal memoranda relating to resolving outstanding financial affairs and cover for Siepmann's work.

There is correspondence between Siepmann and W.P. Crozier, relating to a request by Siepmann to be considered for reemployment in order to work off financial debts owed to the paper, which is declined. Also included is an internal memorandum discussing the subject.

GDN/A/S52/1 is an internal employment history index card for Siepmann, 1929.

GDN/A/S52/85 is an article relating to Siepmann entitled 'Wife Poured Out Stream of Scurrilous Letters' in the News of the World, 1951.