University of Liverpool Secures Complete Roger McGough Archive
The University of Liverpool has announced the acquisition of the entire archive belonging to Roger McGough, one of Britain's most beloved and humorous poets. This significant collection comprises 40 boxes filled with notebooks, manuscripts, drafts, project files, journals, posters, letters, personal artworks, and various other materials that chronicle McGough's extensive working life.
A Full Picture of a Prolific Career
University archivist Jo Klett emphasized that this acquisition will provide "a full picture of Roger's entire working career." The university previously held a substantial collection of McGough's personal papers up to 2007. This new addition includes materials accumulated since then, along with items such as travel journals that McGough had initially been hesitant to part with.
McGough, now 88 years old, expressed his honor at the university's request, stating, "Where else but Liverpool, really." The poet humorously noted that his house feels considerably emptier after the departure of dozens of boxes, quipping about selling old filing cabinets.
Highlights from the Archive Collection
The archive offers fascinating insights into important cultural moments and features correspondence with notable figures including Victoria Wood, Eric Idle, former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Esther Rantzen, and fellow poet Philip Larkin. McGough shared warm memories of Larkin, who served as librarian at the University of Hull while McGough was a student there.
"He would say take no notice of what critics are going to say before I even knew there were going to be critics," McGough recalled. "He said: 'Ignore them, do what you do and go on doing it'. This is what I've tried to do in my own writing."
Cultural Contributions and Hidden Histories
The collection also sheds light on McGough's involvement in the Beatles' 1968 animated film Yellow Submarine, where he was brought in to "Liverpudlianise" the script after numerous writers had failed to satisfy the band. While he received payment for this work, American producers explicitly denied him credit, a fact documented in correspondence within the archive.
McGough reflected on this experience with characteristic humor: "These things happen. It didn't worry me at the time, but a credit would have meant more money. I'd be in LA now surrounded by models on a beach, not talking to you."
Personal Artifacts and Rediscovered Memories
Among the archive's treasures are hundreds of travel diaries documenting McGough's journeys, recording everything from daily activities to reading materials and meals. The collection also includes a brooding self-portrait from the 1960s and promotional materials from his time with The Scaffold, the musical group he formed with Mike McCartney and John Gorman that achieved fame with "Lily the Pink."
McGough discovered forgotten items during the archiving process, including a 1976 Thames TV play he had wanted to title "Your Dinner Has Gone to the Hairdressers, I am in the Oven," though it was ultimately renamed "The Life Swappers."
Integration into University Collections
The McGough archive joins nearly two miles of archival materials held by the University of Liverpool, which includes Europe's largest catalogued collection of science fiction material and the Cunard archive. The timing of the announcement coincided with World Poetry Day celebrations, highlighting the university's commitment to preserving literary heritage.
When asked to provide a comment about the archive acquisition, McGough naturally turned to verse: "Seeking a suitable quote, I delved deep into my University of Liverpool archive. Unfortunately, without success! Will this do? 'Honoured and Excited?'"
The newly acquired material will undergo cataloguing before becoming available for public viewing, ensuring that future generations can explore the complete creative journey of one of Britain's most significant poetic voices.
