Fans of the popular James Bond series of novels and motion-picture films will be interested to learn that the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in the Georgetown University Library preserves a typed letter dated April 21, 1954 from English-born, Bond-creator Ian Fleming. He sent the letter to author Alan Gabriel Barnsley, mentioning some of his recent Bond novels. The letter is found in box 1, folder 1 of the Alan Gabriel Barnsley Papers.
Born in London, England, Ian Fleming (1908-1964) served as Britain’s assistant director of Naval Intelligence during World War II. Thus, he understood spy craft well. In the early 1950s, he created the fictional British secret service agent James Bond, known by the code name “007.” The Bond character famously introduced himself as “Bond, James Bond.” The novels presented suspense-filled moments in the glamorous life of a secret agent. In all, Fleming published 12 James Bond novels, all of which were turned into films.
Alan Gabriel Barnsley (1916-1986) was a writer in his own right. He worked as a medical doctor by trade, but his true passion was writing. He used the pen name “Gabriel Fielding.” His father was an Anglican priest and his mother was a playwright. Barnsley wrote novels, poetry, and periodical articles, among other publications.
Fleming wrote the typed letter in question to Alan Gabriel Barnsley on April 21, 1954. He addressed it to Barnsley at Maidstone, Kent. Fleming explained that he encountered heavy traffic yesterday driving through Maidstone. Fleming admitted, “Unworthily, I cursed the town.” But then, he realized that Barnsley lived there as a “beneficent influence."
Upon arrival in London, Fleming received a letter from Barnsley. Fleming thanked him for praising his book, Live and Let Die, which was Fleming’s second Bond novel, released in 1954. Fleming regretted not sending his book himself to Barnsley. Fleming joked that a rival doctor must have sent the book. Indeed, Fleming humorously insisted he was not related to Sir Alexander Fleming, the famous Scottish physician
Fleming suggested that Barnsley read the first Bond novel Casino Royale, which was published in 1953. He also noted that a part related to Maidstone would be featured in Fleming’s next novel to appear in the spring of 1955, Moonraker. He said further that he drives through Maidstone often in his “2 ½ liter, black Riley.” If he sustained an accident, he wrote, he would “come straight along to Loose Road to be mended” by Barnsley. Fleming ended the letter, “Yours sincerely” and signed “Ian Fleming.” Fleming wrote this letter on letterhead from the Tate Gallery in London. The Tate is a collection of art galleries in London, Liverpool, and Cornwall. This letter from Fleming to Barnsley spotlights the early years of the James Bond series. The adventures of James Bond caught on, and both the novelist and character gained widespread popularity.
Scott S. Taylor, Manuscripts Archivist