Novelist and playwright JB Priestley was one of Bradford's best known sons, leaving a vast legacy of works in his name.

Now, half a century after he helped open the city's university library, his son's gift is to see it flourish ever more.

Priestley's son Tom, a film editor, died in 2023 at the age of 91. Now, he has left a share of the royalties from his father's works to the University of Bradford's archive.

It means a sum from every copy sold or performance of An Inspector Calls will help protect the library archives, for their preservation and development.

A vase decorated by JB Priestley in 1933 and sold at auction following his death in 1984 was donated to the University of Bradford's Special Collections. Pictured archivist Julie Parry. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — A vase decorated by JB Priestley in 1933 and sold at auction following his death in 1984 was donated to the University of Bradford's Special Collections. Pictured archivist Julie Parry. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

Priestley’s granddaughter, Sadie Wykeham, runs the J.B. Priestley literary estate on behalf of the family with her brother Joel.

“Tom Priestley, the youngest of J.B. Priestley’s five children, was himself a distinguished award-winning film editor, as well as the recipient of an honorary degree from the University of Bradford," she said.

“After the death of his father, he managed the literary estate on behalf of the Priestley family and came to appreciate the sterling work done by the Special Collections Department at the J.B. Priestley Library at the university.

“So, it is only fitting that he chose to leave part of his share of royalties to this most worthy recipient, and his family send their very best wishes to the department, the library and the university it serves.”

Yorkshire born writer JB (John Boynton) Priestley, who died at his home at Alveston nr Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of 89.

Priestley, born in Manningham and brought up in the city, was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Bradford in 1970.

The writer and playwright, along with then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson, officially opened its library on October 18, 1975.

Now it holds an archive in his name, featuring scripts of plays, films and TV broadcasts, journal articles, lectures, press cuttings and theatre programmes.

There is also a huge collection of photographs and personal letters, some of his pipes and painting materials as well as his typewriter.

J.B. Priestley during his time serving as a Lance Corporal in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment from August 1915 until he was commissioned as an officer in January 1918

Perhaps most notably, it also houses a Wedgewood vase which was decorated by Priestley in 1933 and described in his book ‘English Journey’.

Sold at auction after his death in 1984, it vanished for the best part of 40 years until it was donated to the university's Special Collections earlier this year.

Now, with funding support, the university will look to conserve the objects with museum-standard storage, along with a new management system and digitisation.

Julie Parry, the university’s archivist, said: “This generous contribution will provide valuable and much welcomed funds for the continued preservation, promotion, and sustainability of the remarkable J.B. Priestley archive.

From left, Harold Wilson and J.B. Priestley at the University of Bradford library’s official opening in October 1975

“The J.B. Priestley archive is one of the largest and most popular of the Special Collections at Bradford. Most of the material has been kindly donated by the Priestley estate.

“The University is proud to provide a home for the archive and is committed to ensuring current and future generations of researchers can learn about the legacy of J.B. Priestley and his link to Bradford.”