In celebration of World Poetry Day on Saturday 21 March 2026, the University of Liverpool is delighted to announce its acquisition of the archive belonging to celebrated Liverpool poet Roger McGough.
This important collection features a wide variety of materials giving an insight into McGough’s creative and professional work. Highlights include manuscripts, drafts, scripts and project files for major works such as his contribution to the 1968 film Yellow Submarine, where he was invited to ‘Liverpudlianise’ the script.
Notebooks trace his poetic practice across decades, alongside corrected and uncorrected proofs for books including Poetry Pie (2015), It Never Rains (2014), As Far as I Know (2013) and Slapstick (2008), with original illustrations and publisher correspondence. Travel and appointment diaries document daily life, touring and creative progress. The collection also includes extensive correspondence, fan mail, drafts of his autobiography, recordings, festival material, posters, children’s books, personal artworks and scripts for his BBC Radio 4 show Poetry Please, offering rich insight into a prolific literary career.
Commenting on the acquisition, Roger McGough said: “Seeking a suitable quote, I delved deep into my University of Liverpool archive. Unfortunately, without success! Will this do? ‘Honoured and Excited?’
“Joking aside, the archive stirs up fond memories, and it’s heartening to know it will be cared for and pondered over for years to come.”
Alongside preserving McGough’s archives, the University proudly displays his portrait at the Victoria Gallery & Museum (VG&M) as part of the Lightbulb moments exhibition, which explores the origins of some of Liverpool’s most remarkable discoveries, innovations, and insights. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to literature and the arts, Roger McGough was awarded an honorary degree by the University in 2006. The newly acquired archival materials will be featured in public programmes and integrated into teaching and research.
These newly received materials build on the University’s existing McGough holdings in the Special Collections and Archives. The original archive, acquired in 2007 following a significant grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and other benefactors, cover a period dating from McGough’s childhood to when it entered the collection.
Joanne Fitton, Deputy Director of Libraries, Museums, and Galleries, commented: “We’re delighted to have accepted these items into our collection. We have a long-standing relationship with Roger, and these latest additions give us further insight into the poet, performer, and musician whose impact on popular and literary culture is deep and far-reaching.”
The materials will join the University’s Special Collections & Archives, which include printed books, pamphlets, and manuscripts dating from the 12th to the 21st century. The collections boast Europe’s largest catalogued collection of science fiction material (including the Science Fiction Foundation Collection) and nearly two miles of archives, such as the University of Liverpool Archive and the Cunard Archive.
This acquisition was made possible with generous support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, National Lottery funding, and the Friends of the Nations’ Libraries.
More about Roger McGough
Poet, performer and broadcaster, Roger McGough has published over 100 poetry books for adults and children and has been called ‘the patron saint of poetry’ and ‘the godfather of modern poetry’. He was one of the Liverpool poets, alongside Adrian Henri and Brian Patten who influenced popular culture in the sixties. The Mersey Sound published in 1967 is one of the bestselling poetry anthologies of all time, selling over a million copies. In the 1960s with John Gorman, and Mike McGear he formed The Scaffold, performing a combination of comic songs, poetry and sketches who had several top 20 singles including the hit song ‘Lily the Pink’.
He has won numerous awards including The Cholmondeley Award in 1988, received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2001, and was awarded a CBE in 2004. A Fellow of The Royal Society and President of The Poetry Society he presents the popular Radio 4 Poetry Please series. His most recent books include Safety in Numbers written during the Covid pandemic, as well as books for children, including Over to You, Crocodile Tears and Money Go Round.
Lead image: Roger McGough at poetry reading, pictured in the artists quarter of Liverpool, 8 Feb 1967, c. Syndication International, Daily Mirror.