[Ruth Draper, American actress and dramatist, whose monologues influence Joyce Grenfell and others.] Autograph Letter Signed to ?Sir David [Ross]?, going into great detail about her eating arrangements while performing at Oxford.

Draper inspired characters in two of Agatha Christie?s books. Among others impressed by her work were Bernard Shaw, Thornton Wilder, John Gielgud, Katharine Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, Laurence Olivier, Henry James, Henry Adams, Edith Wharton, Joyce Grenfell, Emma Thompson, David Mamet and Maureen Lipman. See Ross?s entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo, on bifolium of light-grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Addressed to ?Dear Sir David? and signed ?Ruth Draper.? Presumably written during Ross?s Vice-Chancellorship, 1941-1944. Begins: ?Sir Arthur Salter has written me of your very kind invitation to lunch or dine with you on April 8th. I shall be motoring from Hitchin on Monday - not arriving until about four o?clock, so luncheon will not be possible.? She is not sure ?at what time my performance at the New Theatre takes place! If it is at 6.30 - (like the London theatres) both tea - dinner are out of the question - though supper after the performance would be very agreeable! If the perfomance is at 8 - I could come to tea at 4.30 - & have a little time to rest before it.? She will understand if her suggestions are ?impossible for you?, but is ?none the less honored by you invitation to dine, which were I not working, I should be very happy to accept [...] dinner is almost impossible, a very sketchy meal before I go to the theatre?. If he would ?leave word at the Randolph Hotel? she will ?ask on arriving for a message?. She ends by expressing her pleasure ?to be coming to Oxford again?. From the papers of Sir David Ross.