The Archive of Lawrence Upton

Please preserve the work of this writer, artist and performer. His place in UK poetry is extremely significant.

If it's a choice between giving it to the poets or the binmen, let it not be the binmen.

This petition asks for very little; just a little time and effort to allow those who knew and respected Lawrence and his work to salvage his archive. It is an important chink in British poetry diversity and the loss to the artistic and literary history of Britain would be considerable.

I am signing this petition because it is important to save over half a century of invaluable and irreplaceable works and effects of an important artist and poet from going to landfill, and to preserve the documents and letters, allowing them to be archived for future scholars and practitioners to access and study.

poet and performer, professor at Universidade Federal do Reconcavo da Bahia (UFRB), Brazil, friend and admirer of Lawrence Upton

It is of paramount importance that Lawrence Upton’s Personal papers/archive be saved and preserved with the utmost care. His work is key in the radical tradition of poetry and visual art.

I really hope this important archive is preserved for others to learn from. - Professor Simon Morris, Leeds Beckett University

Please preserve these documents and papers.

Lawrence not only amassed a unique collection of poetry recordings, he also developed a highly original theory of performance, for which there will be extensive documentation in his papers. Like others here I beg the councillors and coroner to help ensure that these archives are not lost. I might add that Lawrence was not unknown - the AHRC recognised the importance of his work with a major three year salaried fellowship.

Wholeheartedly support this idea.

Happy to sign this

Lawrence’s work must be preserved

Please get this done.

Please save the work and effects of this important poet.

It is incredibly important that the archive is secured and made accessible to future scholars.

Lawrence Upton was a central figure to the London literary scene of the past half century; the loss of his archive would be a quite a blow. Many here are ready to help secure the papers.

London Borough of Sutton has not been remiss in the preservation of Frank Dickinson's house and in celebrating Mervyn Peake's residency in Carshalton; might they have an interest in Upton's work too? In any case please let the archive be preserved.

For his own work, and for his relations with an enormous number of other poets and creative artists, Lawrence's papers without doubt contain records of major cultural value.

Preserve this work.

Preserve AND continue to present and celebrate his works.