This collection comprises papers that document West's life and career over a substantial period of time. A large group of the papers relate to West's writings and include manuscript drafts of many of his novels; scripts for plays; scripts for film adaptations of several of his novels; drafts of articles he wrote; and typescripts of speeches. There are newspaper and journal cuttings of articles written by or about West, together with reviews of many of his publications. There is also correspondence relating to publication of West's book and also certificates and significant literary awards he received. Other correspondence includes letters between West and his friend G. Emmett Cardinal Carter, Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto, letters to West from Alfred Hitchcock, Estee Lauder, Pat[ricia] Nixon, HM Queen Frederica of Greece, and Miles, Duke of Norfolk and carbon copies of West's letters to Father Tony Glynn in Japan. Also included are condolences received by West's family on his death in 1999.