J.B. Priestley Archive Receives Ongoing Royalty Donation

Future royalties from J.B. Priestley’s works to support archive preservation

The University of Bradford will continue to maintain and develop its extensive archive dedicated to Bradford-born author J.B. Priestley, following a donation of future royalties made through the will of his son, Tom Priestley. Tom, who passed away in 2023 aged 91, was a film editor and managed the literary estate after his father’s death.

Details of the donation

The donation consists of an ongoing share of royalties from J.B. Priestley’s works, including the 1945 play An Inspector Calls. Every copy sold or performance staged will contribute to funding the preservation and enhancement of the archive housed at the University’s library, which is named after J.B. Priestley.

Family and university connections

• J.B. Priestley was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bradford in 1970.
• Tom Priestley received the same honour in 2010.
• J.B. Priestley’s granddaughter, Sadie Wykeham, along with her brother Joel Wykeham, currently manage the literary estate.

Sadie Wykeham commented on the donation, noting Tom Priestley’s appreciation for the work carried out by the University’s Special Collections Department and expressing the family’s support for the archive’s future.

The J.B. Priestley archive

The archive contains a wide range of materials, including:

• Scripts of plays, films, and TV broadcasts
• Journal articles and lectures
• Press cuttings and theatre programmes
• Business and personal correspondence
• Photographs and various objects related to J.B. Priestley, such as his pipes, painting materials, typewriter, and clothing

The library, officially opened by J.B. Priestley and then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1975, celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2025. The event included a screening of a 1979 film documenting the library’s early years.

Additional items connected to J.B. Priestley have been added to the collection recently, including a Wedgewood vase decorated by the author in 1933. The vase was donated to the Special Collections after being missing for several decades. A statue of J.B. Priestley is also on display in the library.

Impact of the donation

Julie Parry, the University’s Archivist, said the contribution will provide important funding for the archive’s preservation and accessibility. Initial projects supported by the royalties will include:

• A conservation assessment and museum-standard storage for objects within the archive
• Implementation of a collection management system
• Digitisation of items within the collection

The University is committed to maintaining the archive as a resource for researchers and the public to explore J.B. Priestley’s legacy and his connection to Bradford.

Further information

For more details about the J.B. Priestley archive, visit the University of Bradford’s Special Collections webpage or contact the Special Collections team via special-collections@bradford.ac.uk.