These are a few of my favourite things
April 30, 2026
by: Lisa Abram, Communications Officer
On the cusp of my retirement in early June, I reflect on almost a decade as the Communications Officer at UVic Libraries. Meeting our library donors, learning of their incredible achievements, and hearing their stories first-hand were some of the most memorable library experiences for me.
I've been fortunate to work with inspiring colleagues during my time at UVic, and to mentor students in supportive work study communications roles or as library social media ambassadors. Here are some highlights of previously written stories and my reflections.
Werner Israel and the Stephen Hawking letter
When donating a portion of his library to UVic Libraries, UVic Professor Emeritus Werner Israel included a first-edition copy of The large scale structure of space-time (Cambridge, 1973) by S.W. Hawking and G.F.R Ellis in his donation. The book included a signed letter from February 6, 1981 from “Stephen” to Werner tucked in the back dust jacket, along with two newspapers clippings about Hawking’s latest accomplishments. Informal and chatty in tone, the letter reveals a close friendship between the two men. Hawking and Israel collaborated on two titles, including General Relativity: An Einstein Centenary Survey (Cambridge, 1979) and Three Hundred Years of Gravitation (Cambridge, 1987). This copy can be viewed in Special Collections (QC173.59 S65H38), where readers can experience another dimension of the prolific genius of Stephen Hawking, and by holding a first-edition, signed volume in their hands at UVic Libraries. Read more about the letter.
"During Werner’s multiple visits to my office, he would show me photos of his time working with world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. One day, he brought me a copy of his wife Inge’s book Finding the Words for me to read. Beautifully written, it describes Inge’s harrowing experience during the Holocaust with her family. In addition to spending time with Inge and Israel at a lunch meeting with University Librarian Jonathan Bengtson and Lara Wilson, Director, Special Collections & University Archivist, I also visited them in their home when the Times Colonist interviewed them about the Hawking letter. When Inge passed away in 2019, I attended her celebration of life to offer words of comfort and admiration for someone who touched me deeply. Werner passed away in 2022, and I fondly remember his kindness and gentle spirit."
Edith Iglauer and her legacy
In 2019, UVic Libraries acquired the personal and literary archives of Edith Iglauer—the renowned writer, author, activist and “truth teller” who became one of the most adventurous and astute observers of the Canadian way of life. A rich source of information on 20th-century history, the collection includes correspondence with artist Bill Reid; famed architect Arthur Erickson; and writer Doris Shadbolt; as well as letters from fans of Fishing with John, one of Iglauer’s best-known works. In addition, her archives contain cassette tapes of interviews with Erickson; original notes for her articles in The New Yorker; and files on Pierre Trudeau that include photographs, letters, and notes from his 1969 dinner at Iglauer’s apartment. The collection also holds her war correspondent writing and work at the US Office of War Information, along with material covering former US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s speeches, which were described by Iglauer as a high point in her career. Read about the life of Edith Iglauer.
"I wish I could have spent time with the indomitable, courageous, and trail-blazing Edith Iglauer. What an incredible life. What an extraordinary person. I was fortunate to meet her sons – Jay Hamburger, when he made a visit to our Special Collections office to drop off additional boxes from his mother’s archives, and Richard Hamburger, when my husband and I were in New York on vacation. At lunch, Richard captivated us with the story of his youth when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau dined at his mother’s New York apartment, and he brought along a date, Barbra Streisand. Reading her 1969 magnum opus on Pierre Trudeau in The New Yorker is a master class in what it takes to become a brilliant storyteller."
Holiff family and the Johnny Cash archives
On June 20, 2018, UVic Libraries launched the Holiff Family archives with a physical exhibition and reception, and a new online resource: “Volatile Attractions: Saul Holiff, Johnny Cash, and Managing a Music Legend.” The research resource focuses on Holiff’s management years as Cash’s manager and features photographs, contracts, correspondence, and concert swag representing not only the meticulous nature and immense energy that Holiff dedicated to successfully managing Cash for 13 years, but also illustrating the professional disappointment and personal costs it exacted on Holiff. The collection itself consists of thousands of physical items including letters, diaries, journals, and audio recordings of phone conversations, as well as extraordinary photographs of Cash and gold records awarded to Holiff, with several terabytes in total of digital material. Holiff managed Cash’s career from 1961 to 1973. He is responsible for pivotal moments in the life of Cash, which include iconic performances at Folsom and San Quentin prisons, and the pairing of country singer June Carter with Cash’s shows in the 1960s. Read more about the Holiff archives.
"This was a year-long project with multiple parts to it: virtual exhibit, press release, website story, and a launch reception with a movie screening. Working alongside donor Jonathan Holiff and colleague Lara Wilson during this robust planning period, allowed us the time to fully explore how best to tell the incredible story of Saul Holiff and his relationship with Johnny Cash. It was fascinating to peel back the layers of this partnership; the more I read about them, the more I wanted to know. We are fortunate to have the Holiff Family archives in our library collection."
Joyce Clearihue and her kindness
If you are lucky, you meet someone whose presence is so beguiling and impressive, that you never forget them. I consider myself fortunate to have met Joyce Clearihue when I first arrived in Victoria with my husband. One evening we were invited to watch the Snowbirds perform their aerial acrobatics over Clover Point, followed by an evening of food and mingling at a downtown hotel to raise awareness for Crohn's and Colitis. Joyce wandered over to where we were sitting and asked if she could join us. I immediately admired her forthrightness, warmth, and intention to greet a table of strangers. She delighted us with life stories from her past and present. Accomplished doctor. Adventurer. Loving companion. Generous benefactor.
In September 2019, former Dean of Law Susan Breau announced a donation to the law school and the Diana M. Priestly Library by Dr. Joyce Clearihue in the amount of $434,000 to assist in establishing the Indigenous law collection.
"Her energy was contagious, and we all shared some good laughs. When I was first hired at UVic Libraries, I was delighted to see the Clearihue building, named after her father Judge Joseph B. Clearihue, and UVic's first Chancellor, located next to the library. With her passing on July 11, 2023, at the age of 96, I reflected on her legacy to UVic and to the community-at-large. Thank you, Joyce, for the memories and your kindness."
You can visit our Special Collections & University Archives in the lower level of the Mearns Centre for Learning – McPherson Library to view the archives of Werner Israel, Edith Iglauer, Saul Holiff, and Joyce Clearihue.