Story: Inheritance

Katherine Mansfield's will (1st of 2)

Wills express the wishes of individuals regarding disposal of their property after death. Writer Katherine Mansfield made a will in 1922 and died the following year. Her husband, John Middleton Murry, was the executor of her estate. Most of Mansfield's estate went to him, including her manuscripts, notebooks, papers and letters. She instructed him to destroy most of these – 'I desire to leave as few traces of my camping ground as possible' – but he published most of them. Most scholars believe he published more than she had anticipated. Mansfield also left particular items to family and friends, including her sisters, father, mother-in-law (her mother died before her), long-time companion Ida Baker and writers Walter de la Mare and D. H. Lawrence.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, John Middleton Murry Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-7224-06

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ann Dupuis, 'Inheritance - Wills, trusts and bequests', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/31056/katherine-mansfields-will (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Ann Dupuis, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 3 Oct 2018