Papers of Lynn Redgrave (1943-2010)

In 2010, the Folger was fortunate to acquire the theatrical archive of actress and playwright Lynn Redgrave OBE (1943-2010). From Redgrave’s theatrical debut in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1962 through her successful Hollywood career and her own writing for the theatre in four deeply personal family plays—Shakespeare for My Father, The Mandrake Root, Nightingale, and Rachel and Juliet—the archive encompasses a variety of materials representing every stage of her career. Redgrave’s papers include scrapbooks documenting her early stage success, as well as promptbooks and other production materials for her many plays, films, and work for television. The archive also contains materials related to her father, Sir Michael Redgrave, and an extensive correspondence with her mother, actress Rachel Kempson. The contents of this collection provide a rich view into her professional life, and history as one of the foremost actresses and Shakespeareans of our time.

Ms. Redgrave had a long relationship with Folger Shakespeare Library, sitting on the Board of Directors and performing on the stage in our Elizabethan Theatre multiple times. We are pleased to be able to make this archive available to researchers.

A formal Finding Aid has not yet been created. Please consult Reading Room staff, the Curator of Manuscripts, or the Curatorial Assistant for assistance.