Paris-Manchester 1918
Conservatoires in time of war

Frank Merrick and his wife Hope Squire were pianists and composers. Both were social liberals, committed to causes including women’s suffrage, vegetarianism, socialism and pacifism. They were also keen promoters of new music.  Merrick was appointed to the staff of the Royal Manchester College in 1911. During the latter part of the First World War he was imprisoned for his absolutist refusal to fight or engage in any war work; during this time his wife undertook his teaching duties at the College. After the war Merrick became a respected pianist, teacher and editor.

Click on the images below to read their correspondence between December 1918 and April 1919.