| Introduction | Merchant had a group of artist friends, among them John Piper, Barbara Hepworth and Josef Herman. The correspobdence in this collection involves some of these friends, covering a wide range of subjects, from exhibitions by the correspondents and other artists, to holidays and meetings. There are also reactions from John Piper to Merchant's drafts for his publications. Merchant provided his thoughts on John Piper for BBC Radio 4's 'Kaleidoscope', and the correspondence relating to this is also in the collection. There are several black and white photographs of art and architecture included with the letters. |
| Description | Correspondence from John, Edward, Myfanwy, Suzannah and Sebastian Piper, Patrick Reytiens, Joy Hatwood, Joan and Frank to Merchant. Also eight letters to John Piper from Merchant and annotated Gallery-proofs. , Fiches 1-6. 168 letters from John Piper., Fiches 1-6. 35 letters from Myfanwy Piper., Fiches 4-5. 2 letters from Patrick Reytiens., Fiche 4. 1 letter from Joane and Frank., Fiche 3. 1 letter from Edward (Piper)., Fiche 5. 1 letter from Suzannah (Piper)., Fiche 5. 1 letter from Sebastian (Piper)., Fiche 6. 2 letters from Joy Hatwood, Producer of 'Kaleidoscope'., Fiches 1-6. 8 letters to John Piper., Fiche 6. Gallery proofs with annotations for an exhibition catalogue, 'John Piper, Photographs of Wales' University Arts Centre, Aberystwyth. |
| Administrative History | William Moelwyn Merchant, born in Port Talbot, Glamorgan in 1913, was an academic, writer, sculptor, poet and priest. Graduating in English and history from University College, Cardiff, he taught at Camarthen Grammer School in 1935. He was the Professor of English at the University of Exeter between 1961-1974, and was ordained to Anglican Orders in 1940. Persuaded by Barbara Hepworth he began sculpting at the age of 51, producing a range of human, naturalistic and symbolic forms. His work was shown in solo exhibitions at London, Plymouth, Cardiff, Exeter and elsewhere from 1971. During his lifetime he wrote a number of books, including 'Wordsworth's Guide to the Lakes', 1952, a book of poetry 'Breaking the Code' in 1975, Fire from the Heights, 1989 and his autobiography 'Fragments of a Life' in 1990. Merchant was keen to bring art and Christianity together, believing the spiritual values of art could stretch worship and belief. His work has been placed in many Church of England buildings including Lambeth Palace, Church House at Westminster, the chapel at Exeter University and the parish churches of Exminster and Leamington Spa. He died in 1997. |