Esther de Waal Archive

Biographical History

Esther Aline de Waal (née Lowndes-Moir) was born in 1930,and grew up in a Shropshire country vicarage.

De Waal attended the University of Cambridge where she studied History and became interested in Celtic spirituality. While studying she lived with Celtic scholar Nora Chadwick.

In 1960 she married the Reverend Victor de Waal. The couple lived in Nottingham where her husband served as Chaplain of the University of Nottingham from 1963-1969. They had four sons, all born between 1962 and 1966: John de Waal, Alexander de Waal, Edmund de Waal and Thomas de Waal. In 1976 she moved with her husband and sons to Canterbury where her husband served as Dean between 1976 and 1986.

Upon moving to Canterbury, the family lived in a house that had once been part of the medieval monastic community. This led to her interest in the Benedictine tradition and to the writing of Seeking God in 1984. Since 1984, de Waal has published over 20 books on spirituality and she enjoys a worldwide reputation as a writer, speaker and retreat leader in the areas of monastic and Celtic spirituality. She has taught history at the University of Cambridge, the University of Nottingham, Lincoln Theological School, and the Canterbury School of Ministry.

In 1985, de Waal received an honorary doctorate from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

Now separated from her husband, de Waal lives alone near Hereford and continues to write and lead retreats.

Scope and Content

The collection consists mainly of research notes and drafts of speeches and essays, with some typed memoranda and correspondence pertaining to publications and speaking appearances.

Physical Description and Extent

The Esther de Waal Archive contains 8 archive boxes and 3 large bankers boxes that are still be be processed. Records are mostly paper including research notes, drafts, memoranda, and correspondence, but the archive also contains cassette tapes and CDs.

Provenance

The archive was deposited at Gladstone’s Library by Esther de Waal and her son Peter in 2014. A further deposit was made in December 2018.

Arrangement

The archive was arranged by Esther de Waal and has been kept in its original arrangement and order.

Access and Finding Aid

The archive is in the process of being catalogued and cannot be viewed at present.

Reprographics

This archive is in the process of being catalogued and no reprographics requests can be received in relation to it at present.