Donald Winnicott Papers, 1930 - 1987

Summary

Creator:
Winnicott, D. W. (Donald Woods), 1896-1971
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of Donald Winnicott, who was known for his studies on the mother-infant relationship, the process of separation, and the use of the transitional object (e.g. the blanket or the teddy bear). The collection has 3 series: Correspondence, Unpublished Papers, and Oral History.
Extent:
9 boxes 3.75 linear feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the papers of Donald Winnicott, who was known for his studies on the mother-infant relationship, the process of separation, and the use of the transitional object (e.g. the blanket or the teddy bear). There are 3 series in this collection.

Correspondence: Composed of letters with colleagues, friends, patients, the public, institutions, and organizations, which are primarily professional in nature. Correspondence concerns referrals for patients, lecture engagements, recommendations of colleagues, publication of books, and personal, familial, and business matters, and business activities of the British Psycho-Analytic Society, of which he was president of from 1956 to 1959. Occasionally the reverse sides of letters are illustrated with Winnicott’s drawings. Most of the correspondents are English, and some letters from patients or other physicians describe the nature of patients' illnesses. This correspondence has been segregated from the general correspondence, and access to it is restricted. Frequent correspondents include: Wilfred R. Bion of the London Clinic of Psycho-Analysis; Augusta Bonnard; John Bowlby of the Tavistock Clinic in London; Anna Freud; D.E.M. Gardner of the London Institute of Economics; Donald Gough of the Tavistock Clinic; David Holbrook; Susanna Isaacs (Winnicott's successor at Paddington Green, London); M. Masud R. Khan (Librarian of the Institute of Psycho-Analysis in London); London School of Economics and Political Science; Tavistock Clinic of Human Relations; and Freny Mehta of Bombay, India.

Unpublished Papers: This series primarily has typed versions of lectures and addresses to colleagues at various professional meetings and conferences or materials that appear to have been written for journals. However, some of the papers have been published since the time of Winnicott’s death, and photocopies of these papers appear in the series. Included is a list of titles of published and unpublished works that was compiled in 1975 by Dr. D.C. Wallbridge of the Winnicott Publications Committee.

Oral History: This has three audiotapes of an interview of Mrs. Clare Winnicott concerning her husband's professional work. The interview was conducted by Dr. Michael Neve in June 1983, and the tapes have been transcribed.

Biographical / historical:

Donald Woods Winnicott (1896-1971) was born in Plymouth, Devon in England. He was educated at Leys School in Cambridge and Jesus College, Cambridge University. He began his medical career as a pediatrician at a time when there were few in Great Britain who were engaged solely in the practice of medical care of children. He was appointed Physician to the Paddington Green Children's Hospital in London in 1923. This same year, he began a personal analysis, thereby becoming more interested in child psychology. In the 1930's, he became an Associate, and then a Member, of the British Psycho-Analytical Society, which he was elected president of in 1956. His 1931 book Clinical Notes on Disorders of Childhood was one of the first books in which there was a fusing of the two aspects of pediatrics, medical care and child psychiatry. He began to specialize in antisocial behavior as a result of his work during World War II with the failure of the evacuation scheme. In Dr. Winnicott's private practice, he served as both a pediatrician and psychoanalyst for children, adolescents, and adults. Gradually, his psychoanalytic work took precedence. He taught at the London School of Economics, London University, London Institute of Education, London Institute of Psycho-Analysis, and later at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.

Winnicott is known for his studies on the mother-infant relationship, the process of separation, and the use of the transitional object (e.g. the blanket or the teddy bear). His writings also focus on object relations, aggression in the relationship, the true and false self, development of language, symbol formation, and creativity. Winnicott retired from Paddington Green in 1963 and continued with his private practice, lecturing, and writing before his death on January 25, 1971.

Acquisition information:
The correspondence, unpublished papers, and patient case records of Donald Woods Winnicott were donated by Winnicott’s widow, Clare Winnicott, in 1980 and received by the Diethelm Library in 1981 and 1984. The audiotapes were donated by Dr. Michael Neve on January 15, 1986.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Some letters from patients or other physicians describe the nature of patients' illnesses. This correspondence has been segregated from the general correspondence, and access to it is restricted.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Oskar Diethelm Library and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection. All publication rights remain under the control of the Trustees of the Winnicott Trust, and researchers should contact the Trustees with requests for use. Permission of the Trustees shall not be required for brief extracts of unpublished material used by researchers for critical analysis of not more than 250 words each or for a series of extracts (with comments interposed) aggregating up to 500 words but of which no one extract exceeds 200 words. Inquiries to quote from published material should be referred to the relevant publisher.

Location of this collection:
DeWitt Wallace Institute of Psychiatry: History, Policy and the Arts
Weill Cornell Medical College
525 East 68th Street, Box 140
New York, NY 10065, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
212-746-3728