Biography of Virginia and Leonard Woolf came to Richmond seeking a place to retreat; unexpectedly they became owners of the Hogarth Press,now a famous name.
First arriving in Richmond in October 1914, Leonard and Virginia Woolf had initially taken lodgings in 'a large, comfortable room' at 17 the Green. Virginia was recovering from a nervous breakdown and it had become patently clear that London would not provide the right environment for recuperation. Within easy commuting distance of the capital, Richmond had much to offer:open spaces, a quieter pace of life and proximity to Leonard's mother in Putney. In December 1914 the Woolfs discvovered Hogarth House, one half of a Georgian mansion built in 1720. Centrally situated, the house immediately enchanted them.
As Leonard later recalled in his autobiography, it possesed unusual appeal: 'Occasionally one comes across a house upon which those who lived in it have imposed a character markedly its own. All the rooms, even when first seen in dirty, dusty desolation had beauty, repose, peace...the perfect envelope for everyday life.'They took up residence in March 1915 and though Virginia again fell ill, long confined to bed, she was to write of these months, ' I've had some curious visions in this room, lying in bed, mad, and seeing the sunlight quivering like gold water on the wall..And felt, through it all, exquisitely happy.'
Leonard had long believed that overwork caused Virginia's feequent ill-health and was determined to provide another outlet for her energies; thus in 1917 the Hogarth Press, purchased for £19 came into being. Writing to her sister Vanessa Bell Virginia reported:' Our press arrived Tuesday. We unpacked it with enormous excitement. I see that real printing will soon devour one's entire life.' Initially it was simply a hobby but soon Virginia wasacruefully inviting Vita Sackville-West to the house saying,'
We don't dine so much as picnic, as the press has got into the larder and dining-room.' Just how labour-intensive it was took the Woolfs by surprise:' After two hours Leonard heaved a terrific sigh and said " I wish we'd never bought the cursed thing!" To my relief he added " Because I shall never do anything else!"
Launching their new venture with the self-penned Two Stories they worked painstakingly on every aspect of the printing process. Next Virginia turned to her circle of friends for further material; as this included the likes of Katherine Mansfield and TS Eliot quality wasn't in short supply.In 1919, swamped by oders for Virginia's Kew Gardens Leonmard suddenly realised that ' the Hogarth Press must either expand or dwindle and die, it was too vigorous to be able to sit still and survive.' Using a commecial printer to fulfil demand the Woolfs embarked on a stimulating new chapter of their lives, personally and professionally. For Virginia the development of the Press was mirrored by her own expanding creativity. Leonard was convinced of the link. 'Those six years were, I am sure, crucial for the stabilising of her mind health and work.' During this period Virginia wrote Jacob's Room, prepared material for The Common Reader and begun Mrs Dalloway, all in addition to regular reviewing. Becoming her own publisher gave her the ideal opportunity to break free of prevailing fictional forms and experiment.
Although preoccupied by the Press the Woolfs spent much time entertaining, perhaps their most notable guest being TS Eliot whose first English edition of The Wasteland the Hogarth Press published in 1923. Maintaining equilibrium was a constant struggle for the devoted Leonard, who did his best to shield Virginia from over-exertion. As she improved so she began to long for the stimulation London offered. 'Oh to be able to slip in and out of things easily..I resent this effort to catch trains, always to sit and wait when I might go hear a tune or look at a picture.' Although tentative about returning to the metropolis Leonard finally succumbed and they moved to Tavistock Square in central London in March 1924.The night before the move Virginia wrote in her diary. ' Now I'm going to write the very last pages ever at Hogarth House..nor at the moment can I think of any farewell for this beautiful house which has done us such a good turn for almost nine years.'
