John Masefield (1878-1967) was a British poet and writer of novels, non-fiction, children’s fiction, and plays. He served as British Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967. Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom with the expectation that the holder will write verse for significant national occasions.

The collection includes three unbound volumes of correspondence, dated 1906 to 1911, between Masefield and various individuals in the theatre world. The majority are handwritten, signed letters and postcards from Masefield to his literary agent, C.F. Cazenove. Cazenove's typescript replies are initialed carbon copies. Other correspondence is with theatrical producers such as Mme. Meta Illing of the English Theatre of Berlin, and Curtis Brown of the New Theatre in New York. These letters regard the production of Masefield's plays, as well as the publication or translation of his works. Correspondence with Henry Coates concerns his desire to set a Masefield poem to music. Miscellaneous items include a 1905 newspaper clipping about whippet racing, and a draft prospectus for the formation of the Scottish Playgoers, Ltd.