University receives literary treasures

The collection includes the passport of spy Kim Philby.

Original manuscripts by Oscar Wilde are among a collection of literary treasures donated to the University of Leeds.

The valuable collection also includes the passport of notorious Cold War spy Kim Philby.

It has been given to the University by Fay and Geoffrey Elliott, who began their collection more than 25 years ago.

"We wanted the collection to be part of a broad academic centre of excellence, ideally outside London, where it could be used in active support of teaching and research," said Mr Elliott.

Original manuscript by Oscar Wilde.

The collection comprises 200 rare books, manuscripts and letters.

It features works by novelists Graham Greene and Frederick Rolfe, and the former poet laureate John Betjeman.

University librarian Jan Wilkinson said: "This is the most important gift since the library was started in the 1930s.

"It's a stunning collection and we are particularly pleased that the Elliotts have chosen Leeds to be its home."

Geoffrey Elliott is no stranger to literary works himself.

The former managing director of Morgan Stanley & Co translated The Private Life of Kim Philby.