Ted Hughes' widow donates rare work to University of Huddersfield

A sketch of Ted Hughes by RJ Lloyd is included in the collection

The widow of poet Ted Hughes has donated a collection of his work, along with letters, photographs and artwork, to the University of Huddersfield.

Carol Hughes gifted the materials to the Heritage Quay archive 25 years after his death on 28 October 1998.

The collection includes small press and limited-edition works, signed and dated by Hughes and his collaborators.

It also features unpublished sketches of the late poet laureate by RJ Lloyd and Elizabeth Cook.

Mrs Hughes, who is a supporter of the university's Ted Hughes Research Network, donated drafts of Morrigu Press works-in-progress, titled Cormorants, Pheasants and Weasels at Work.

Rare works to be gifted include a copy of A Primer of Birds published by the Gehenna Press

There is also a folder of letters between herself and the late Donald Crossley, Ted's childhood friend from Mytholmroyd who renewed his friendship with the poet in later life.

Mrs Hughes and Mr Crossley went on to produce a body of research into poetry collection Remains of Elmet and other works about the upper Calder Valley.

This will be added to Mr Crossley's archive which is already held at Heritage Quay.

The newly donated works include the huge Scholar Press edition of Cave Birds, with etchings by the American artist Leonard Baskin; The Threshold, published by The Steam Press; and A Primer of Birds, published by The Gehenna Press.

Mrs Hughes said she was pleased to support the archive, adding: "I feel sure the archive will continue to grow and develop in the years to come."

Artwork by the late poet laureate has also been donated to the archive

Ted Hughes Network director Dr Steve Ely said her gift would "significantly enhance and complement our existing collections".

He said: "Carol's donation not only further establishes Heritage Quay's reputation as one of the leading international Hughes collections but provides the basis for its further expansion and development."

Dr Ely said the donation would go on public display next year, with talks and readings by poets, scholars and students.

Prof Tim Thornton, deputy vice chancellor of the university, said: "The university is grateful to Carol Hughes for the generous donation of further important archive material relating to her husband and excited at the opportunities now offered by one of the most important collections of the Poet Laureate's material in the world."

Carol Hughes was Ted's second wife after American novelist, poet and short story writer Sylvia Plath.

Ted Hughes and second wife Carol in 1984