Interview with Jocelyn Young

Jocelyn Young (Fairburn) met Denis Glover in 1937 or 1938 through her husband poet Rex Fairburn. Talks about Glover's first wife Mary Glover. Mentions Glover's chronic insomnia.

Talks about Glover's reaction to Fairburn's impending death, his vigil for Fairburn and Fairburn's funeral. Mentions Glover talking to Young's mother, Ivy May, about the effect of a decision he made on D Day in World War II.

Talks about Glover's friendship with Olive Johnson. Mentions Janet Paul. Talks about the memorial celebration for Rex Fairburn, organised by his friends Harold Innes and winemaker Mate Brajkovich, where Glover gave impromptu readings. Mentions a courtcase brought against Khura and Denis Glover by their landlord at Paekakariki.

Describes Glover's friendship with Fairburn and their rapport. Mentions 'The Woman Problem', Fairburn's attitude to women and his relationship with his daughters. Mentions Glover's relationship with Lyn Glover. Mentions Glover's death and funeral. Discusses Glover the poet in comparison to other New Zealand poets, the effect of his personality on his work and his dislike of intellectual or technical poetry. Mentions the characteristics Glover and Fairburn shared that meant they would never be university professors.

Jocelyn Young and Rex Fairburn's daughters, Janis Fairburn and Dinah Holman were also present at this interview and contributed some comments (see transcript).

Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008808

Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 45 Minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2821.