The British Library has acquired the archive of English novelist, illustrator, poet and artist, Mervyn Laurence Peake (b. July 9, 1911, d. Nov. 17, 1968). Peake is best known for his ‘gothic fantasy’ trilogy Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone. It is a few decades since I read them and my recollection is that they were good on atmosphere and characterisation but light on story development. For those with an interest in the original, innovative and weird I would recommend further research. This exhibition seems to be largely literary but includes his illustrations for both children’s and classic books. Alice in Wonderland, Bleak House, Thr Hunting of the Snark, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Treasure Island among stories he worked on.
The Worlds of Mervyn Peake is open from 5 July to 18 September 2011 in the Folio Society Gallery at the British Library
More information at http://pressandpolicy.bl.uk/Press-Releases
Sources
Guardian Saturday Review July 2nd 2011
Chambers Biographical Dictionary - 2001edition