MSS 295
Doris Langley Moore Paper
Table of Contents
Contact Infomation:
Special Collections
MSU Libraries
366 W. Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
517.884.6471
E-mail:spc@mail.lib.msu.edu
Preferred Citation:
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Box number, Folder number and/or title, Doris Langley Moore Papers, MSS 295, Special Collections, Michigan State University Main Library.Copyright Notice:
Copyright is retained by the author of the items in this archive, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.Usage Restrictions:
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
The Doris Langley Moore Papers will be open and available for use in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Photoduplication Restrictions:
Contact Special CollectionsCollection Summary:
The collection consists of a letter regarding writing a biography on E. Nesbit, church program, and newspaper article on The Nesbitt children.Historical Background:
Doris Langley Moore, OBE (1902–1989) also known as Doris Langley-Levy Moore, was one of the first important female fashion historians. She exploded the myth of the 18-inch waist from the Victorian Era by measuring over 200 dresses to find that the 19th century waist was within in the 20-30-inch range with none less than 21-inches. In addition to her work in fashion, Doris Langley Moore also wrote biographies including one on E. Nesbit.
Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) was an English author and poet. She wrote children’s books under E. Nesbit. Nesbit published approximately 40 books for children, including novels, collections of stories and picture books as well as collaborated on as many more. She is credited with being the inventor of the children’s adventure story and moved from the secondary worlds of George McDonald and Lewis Carroll to stories that were based in current reality yet containing magical objects and adventures. She had a direct or indirect influence on such contemporary authors as P.L. Travers, J.K. Rowling, and C.S. Lewis in his Chronicles of Narnia, Diana Wynn Jones, and Michael Moorcock who wrote a series based on the main character from Nesbit’s The Treasure Seekers. In addition, E. Nesbit wrote for adults, including eleven novels, short stories, and four collections of horror stories.
Nesbit and her first husband, Bland, were founders of the Fabian Society, a precursor to the modern Labour Party.