Peter Burra

Peter Burra
Born	1909
Died	27 April 1937
Occupation(s)	Author, literary critic, magazine editor, correspondent
Years active	1930–1937
Known for	The Novels of E. M. Forster, biographies of Van Gogh and Wordsworth

Peter Burra (1909 – 27 April 1937) was a British author and literary critic, recognized chiefly for his analysis in The Novels of E. M. Forster.

Early life

Peter Burra and his twin sister, Nella Burra, maintained a close friendship with Peter Pears; all three attended Lancing College and later Oxford University. Helen "Nella" Pomfret Burra (1909–1999) pursued a career as a singer and actress associated with the Group Theatre and was married to actor and director John Moody. During their time at Lancing College, Pears performed on piano while Burra played violin as part of the Lancing Chamber Music Society.

Career

Between February 1930 and June 1931, Burra served as editor of the literary periodical Farrago, which was published by Simon Nowell Smith. This magazine produced six issues featuring cover artwork by notable artists such as Edward Burra, Albert Rutherston, and Laurence Whistler. Contributors included early poetry from figures like Evelyn Waugh and Cecil Day-Lewis, alongside pieces by A.J.A. Symons, John Sparrow, Max Beerbohm, and Lord David Cecil.

Burra's 1934 critical study The Novels of E.M. Forster was pioneering in its recognition of Forster's use of recurring textual motifs, which he described as "rhythm". Additionally, he penned the introduction for the posthumous Everyman edition of A Passage to India (1942). E.M. Forster himself regarded Burra as "the best critic of his generation".

He also authored two significant biographies: Van Gogh (1934) and Wordsworth, Great Lives (1936), both released by Duckworth, solidifying his standing as a respected writer.

In his role as a special correspondent for The Times, Burra reported on events such as the ISCM Music Festival in Barcelona, where he encountered Benjamin Britten and Lennox Berkeley. In 1936, Pears resided in Burra’s cottage located in Bucklebury Common. Burra additionally contributed book reviews to The Spectator.

In November 1936, he wrote a review of "The Agamemnon of Aeschylus," staged by Rupert Doone with music composed by Britten, which appeared in the Group Theatre Paper.

Personal life

Burra maintained friendships with both Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten at various times. Pears stayed with him at Bucklebury Common, while Britten referred to him affectionately as "Dear," a term he used for close acquaintances including Pears and Lennox Berkeley.

On 27 April 1937, Burra tragically lost his life in a light aircraft accident near Bucklebury Common during his initial flying lesson. Prior to this, he had traveled to Spain shortly before the Guernica bombing and had expressed intentions to contribute to air support for the Republican forces.

Following the organization of Burra’s belongings after his death, the relationship between Pears and Britten began to develop.

Legacy

Benjamin Britten composed an unpublished song titled "Not Even Summer Yet" in tribute to Burra, which was performed by Pears in his honor. This composition was later revived in 1983 at London’s Wigmore Hall by tenor Neil Mackle accompanied by pianist Iain Burnside.

Furthermore, Lennox Berkeley and Britten dedicated their orchestral suite Mont Juic (1937) "In memory of Peter Burra."