The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University



Advanced Search 


Merton's Correspondence with:

Owen Merton; Owen Heathcote Grierson Merton; Merton, Owen Heathcote Grierson, 1887-1931

Merton, Owen, 1887-1931  printer

 
 

Descriptive Summary

Record Group: Section A - Correspondence
Dates of materials: 1909-1926
Volume: 73 item(s); 292 pg(s)

Scope and Content

The bulk of this file contains letters from Owen Merton to his parents and siblings, but other miscellaneous letters are to and from Evelyn Scott and others. Some letters concern his son, Thomas Merton, and his wife, Ruth Jenkins Merton.

Biography

Owen Merton was Thomas Merton's father. He was born in New Zealand, studied art in Paris, and traveled in Europe, Bermuda, the United States, and northern Africa to make a living as a landscape painter.

Usage Guidelines and Restrictions

Please click here for general restrictions concerning Merton's correspondence.

Related Information and Links

Other Finding Aids

If the person in correspondence with Merton has full text records in the Merton Center Digital Collections, there will be a numeric link to them below.
   

Series List

Series NumberSeries NameTotal Records
1 Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James Merton (1857-1931) 6
2 Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Beatrice Katharine (Ka) Merton (1891-1972) 4
3 Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hannah (Grierson) Merton (1855-1956) 43
4 Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963) 9
5 Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny Merton Trier (1885-1986) 7
6 Other miscellaneous correspondence to and from Owen Merton 4

Container List

Click icons for links: ✓="Published | Library Record", ✉="Scanned" | 🗷="Scanned, Viewable Only at Merton Center"

#DateFrom/ToFirst LinesPub ✓Notes
 y/m/dMerton Scan ✉ 
1. Series 1: 1909/12/15 HLS[x] to Merton, Alfred We do not often write letters to each other. But I must thank you very much for being so good Series 1: Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James ... «detailed view»
2. Series 1: 1910/02/02 HLS[x] to Merton, Alfred Many thank for your note enclosing the money order from Series 1: Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James ... «detailed view»
3. Series 1: 1911/03/24 HLS[x] to Merton, Alfred I am just writing a hurried line because I want to thank you for helping that show along as you have Series 1: Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James ... «detailed view»
4. Series 1: 1911/12/10 HLS[x] to Merton, Alfred I can give myself some hard names for not having written long ago. I believe I owe you no less than Series 1: Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James ... «detailed view»
5. Series 1: 1912/11/21 HLS[x] to Merton, Alfred This won't get you by Christmas, but I hope you have had the book I sent. I think Meredith's essay Series 1: Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James ... «detailed view»
6. Series 1: 1913/05/07 HLS[x] to Merton, Alfred I will go on writing to you, instead of to mother, because it all comes to the same thing, and she Series 1: Owen Merton's letters to his father, Alfred James ... «detailed view»
7. Series 2: 1909/12/14 HLS[x] from Merton, Beatrice Katherine This is only a very hasty note to thank you for yours of today's mail. It was a grand letter and did Series 2: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Beatrice Kath... «detailed view»
8. Series 2: 1910/06/15 HLS[x] from Merton, Beatrice Katherine I got your letter yesterday - and now very glad to hear cheerful news of a Canterbury College Dance Series 2: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Beatrice Kath... «detailed view»
9. Series 2: 1910/11/17 HLS[x] from Merton, Beatrice and Sybil I cannot get used to the thought of you as twins - so you have about Series 2: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Beatrice Kath... [to Beatrice Katherine (Ka) and Sybil Merton] «detailed view»
10. Series 2: undated/no/no HLS[x] from Merton, Beatrice and Sybil I am afraid I don't quite know what will come for your birthday, but whatever it is remember Series 2: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Beatrice Kath... [to "twins" - in the November 17, 1910 letter, Owen seems to refer to Beatrice Katherine (Ka) and Sybil Merton as twins] «detailed view»
11. Series 3: 1910/01/08 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude A very welcome letter came this week to answer me you were all well. Unfortunately I had heard from Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
12. Series 3: 1910/01/19 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Your last letter gave me a moment's start - as it was written in pencil. But I soon realized you Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
13. Series 3: 1910/01/25 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Thanks also for another letter by last mail and I cannot tell you what a joy your letters are to me Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
14. Series 3: 1910/02/08 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude The mail got in early last week and I sought a letter written from Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
15. Series 3: 1910/02/11 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I hardly know how to begin this. There is much news this week. When I was at Aunt Maud's last Sunday Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
16. Series 3: 1910/02/15 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Your letter came on Monday. It always seems to me such a misfortune that it takes three months to Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
17. Series 3: 1910/03/22 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I was glad to have your further chummy news, that Gwynn was at home again, and that everything else Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
18. Series 3: 1910/03/29 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Thanks so much for a grand letter which came this morning. The only thing is you are too kind about Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
19. Series 3: 1910/03/31 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I have a [..] half [..] the mail in. I did not realize it was so late. And I have not written Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
20. Series 3: 1910/04/05 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Last mail thought we a very cheery letter. You make very light of your accident - but it is Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
21. Series 3: 1910/04/19 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Your last letter has come this morning- and its most cheerful and stimulating. I wish I would make Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... [date either April 17th or 19th] «detailed view»
22. Series 3: 1910/04/24 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am writing to you expecting a letter from you tomorrow. It's a Sunday, and I have had young Roger Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
23. Series 3: 1910/05/03 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am just writing the weekly account, which comes to much the same as usual. I am just quietly Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
24. Series 3: 1910/05/12 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Today having been very wet and stormy I have been mostly indoors. I have had plenty to do, and have Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
25. Series 3: 1910/05/15 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Your letters got to me this morning. (Sunday.) Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
26. Series 3: 1910/05/24 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Letter came this morning. (It seems to be a lifetime since then. The days are so wonderfully long.) Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
27. Series 3: 1910/05/29 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude It was a very welcome letter - Of course you know it is all not talking like that about the R.B.A. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
28. Series 3: 1910/05/31 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am just adding a short note to say I am going off tomorrow for Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
29. Series 3: 1910/06/02 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am here now, and very glad I came. It is a very good thing to have a complete change Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
30. Series 3: 1910/06/14 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I think you so much for your letter which came yesterday enclosing the draft for Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
31. Series 3: 1910/06/23 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I have only time to scrawl a very hasty note to you from here today. I am off tomorrow, and have Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
32. Series 3: 1910/06/26 HL[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am back here - and it is a Sunday, and I am writing now before having letters from you. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... [no signature - possible missing pages or was continued and sent with June 29th letter] «detailed view»
33. Series 3: 1910/06/29 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am just writing now in a great hurry before going off tomorrow. I have a lot to do today. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
34. Series 3: 1910/07/06 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am in Ealing till Friday evening when it seems it will be the only chance of my getting across Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
35. Series 3: 1910/07/08 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I just write today I hope you will get the seeds and the book all right and will like both. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
36. Series 3: 1910/08/31 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude We have got here tonight, and are in this hotel. Here we shall be for a couple of days. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... [letterhead of the Grand Hôtel du Cheval Blanc, Angers, France] «detailed view»
37. Series 3: 1912/02/30 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I got back last night at 12:30 and have been glad to be in Paris again, and at work. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
38. Series 3: 1912/03/08 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Only can I send you half a dozen lines this morning to tell you all is going as well as possible. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... Owen Merton announces his engagement to Ruth Jenkins «detailed view»
39. Series 3: 1912/03/12 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude You must be wanting to know more of my words, which I was so foolish as to just give you in such Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
40. Series 3: 1912/03/29 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Apologies are useless. I have been too much absorbed these last weeks to even write you more than Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
41. Series 3: 1912/04/11 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I am here as you see. I came across by Saturday night boat from Dieppe, and I am very glad to be Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... [writing from Ealing] «detailed view»
42. Series 3: 1912/04/19 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Just a line to say I am off again to Paris this evening. Alban arrives on Sunday morning early, Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
43. Series 3: 1912/06/27 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude By a mischance I let mail day go by last week. I got so in the habit of thinking Friday was the day Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... [writing from Northiam, Sussex, England] «detailed view»
44. Series 3: 1912/07/17 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Last week again you had no letter. I keep thinking today it is Wednesday, when it's really Thursday, Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
45. Series 3: 1912/08/02 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude It seems to me that we are the queerest lot of people here. Here I could write quite well, but I Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
46. Series 3: 1912/08/28 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I think this is only going to be a short note. One seems to have had a good deal to do this work. Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
47. Series 3: 1912/08/no (#01) HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Here when all is going on so well. I have some further grand news from you to say you have sold some Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
48. Series 3: 1912/08/no (#02) HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Now I have had what I deserved, a letter from you to say you feel it that I do not unite Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
49. Series 3: 1912/09/05 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I write now on the morning. I have taken a holiday - being quite disinclined for work. I don't know Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
50. Series 3: 1912/12/28 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude It is already mail day, and I forgot completely until just the minute - It is always the way Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
51. Series 3: 1913/04/30 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I have been wondering whether after all my letter of last week reached you, I thought. I posted it Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
52. Series 3: undated/no/no (#01) HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Your last letter came on Monday. I am making up my mind to whom here instead Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
53. Series 3: undated/no/no (#02) HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude Your last letter came on Monday. I am making up my mind to whom here instead Series 3: Owen Merton's letters to his mother, Gertrude Hann... «detailed view»
54. Series 4: 1922/08/02 HLS[x] to Merton, Gertrude I have been wondering whether after all my letter of last week reached you, I thought. I posted it Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... [missing page(s)] «detailed view»
55. Series 4: 1923/04/25 telegram[x] to Scott, Evelyn SO HAPPY BLESS YOU LOUISE ARRIVES PARIS FRIDAY NIGHT LOVE MUTT = Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... «detailed view»
56. Series 4: 1923/06/26 HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn Well your letter made me very happy oh how I am so glad Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... «detailed view»
57. Series 4: 1926/09/06 HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn Forgot today some things - of course I know how fine Beeky was - it was a long time before I knew Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... [writing on stationery of the Grand Hotel, Saint-Antonin, France] «detailed view»
58. Series 4: 1926/10/19 HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn Do you know - in all my knowing of you, getting your first letter from Portugal was as happy a time Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... [writing from Saint-Antonin, France] «detailed view»
59. Series 4: undated/04/02 HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn Evelyn don't please read my letter to Mary. I sent you some writings of Ruth's in a big envelope Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... [includes a photograph of himself at 3 years old] «detailed view»
60. Series 4: undated/no/no (#01) HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn I have taken Narcissus with me - because I am very excited - I don't know what I will get - but I Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... «detailed view»
61. Series 4: undated/no/no (#02) HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn I have just finished reading the Nanon House - and I feel I want to tell you how Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... «detailed view»
62. Series 4: undated/no/no (#03) HLS[x] to Scott, Evelyn I just had your letter and am working over the Series 4: Owen Merton's letters to Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)... «detailed view»
63. Series 5: 1909/06/03 HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd Many thanks for all your letters which I got when I got here on Saturday. Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... [writing from London] «detailed view»
64. Series 5: 1910/09/28 HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd I fancy we are about quit in the matter of lettter we write to one another. So I am not going Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... [writing from Paris] «detailed view»
65. Series 5: 1911/03/14 HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd Thank you so very much for your last letter, when you were again in Christchurch. How grand it is to Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... [writing from Paris] «detailed view»
66. Series 5: 1911/10/17 HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd Here are so many mail gone, and no word yet to you. The worst of it is, that at Oñate, I did write Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... [written from Pasajes (Pasaia), Spain] «detailed view»
67. Series 5: 1913/05/21 HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd Mother's letter has just come today, a week later than it should have arrived, saying she had got Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... [written from Amalfi, Italy] «detailed view»
68. Series 5: undated/no/no (#01) HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd Got a short note from you this morning - saying Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... «detailed view»
69. Series 5: undated/no/no (#02) HLS[x] to Merton, Gwynedd I have not a moment to write you a line. This is mother's which I am returning. Yours ever Series 5: Owen Merton's letters to his sister, Gwynedd Fanny... «detailed view»
70. Series 6: 1910/12/12 HLS[x] to Merton, William I must write at once and congratulate you are getting through your examination so well. I think you Series 6: Other miscellaneous correspondence to and from Owe... «detailed view»
71. Series 6: 1911/06/25 HLS[x] from Cousin Laura Your letter arrived before we left and I was glad to know Series 6: Other miscellaneous correspondence to and from Owe... «detailed view»
72. Series 6: 1920/06/03 HLS[x] from Black, Robert Mr. Randall has sent me your letter of May 30th, in which you ask for prompt action Series 6: Other miscellaneous correspondence to and from Owe... [from Rev. Robert M.W. Black, Rector of Zion Episcopal Church, Douglaston, New York] response to Owen Merton's letter of resignation «detailed view»
73. Series 6: 1923/04/12 HLS[x] from Moore, Marianne My mothers and I have just returned from the Daniel Gallery where we saw your paintings. Series 6: Other miscellaneous correspondence to and from Owe... [writing from St. Luke's Place, New York] «detailed view»
Printer-Friendly Version   Return to the Top of the Page

The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University | 2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville KY, 40205 | 502-272-8177 or 8187

Copyright © The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. All rights reserved.
Photographs copyright of the Merton Legacy Trust. Not to be used without written permission.