| Repository | University of Roehampton: Whitelands College |
| Level | Item |
| Reference Number | WC/PP/RAWN |
| Title | Canon HD Rawnsley May poem and hymn |
| Date | 1919 |
| Extent | 1 file |
| Description | Copy of poem 'To the Queen of the May, Whitelands May 1st'' and original accompanying letter; printed sheet music and words of a separate 'May Song' with 'words by ERB' - (creator of song unknown). The poem was used in the 1919 May Day ceremony. |
| Administrative History | Canon Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley (1851-1920) was a Church of England clergyman, poet, hymn writer, local politician, conservationist and one of the founders of the National Trust. He was also a Ruskin disciple and for many years after Ruskin's death he gifted the May Queen cross in his stead and wrote poems for each May Day. |
| Custodial History | The poem and letter had been sent to the 1919 May Queen, Janet, who sent them in turn to the College to mark the 1981 May Day Centenary Year. The Principal at that time, Roy Knight, wrote in acknowledgment 'it's particularly delightful to have Canon Rawnsley's letter and the poem written for you.' [See WC/PP/WOLS] |
| Related Material | See also original version of poem written by Rawnsley for the 1920 May Queen (in individual 1920 May Monarch file), and May Queen crosses designed in Keswick, from c.1902 to 1920. |
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