Iris Murdoch’s books to be sold

Four years after Iris Murdoch’s death, her husband is selling the working library of nearly 1,000 books collected and annotated by the late author over six decades, auctioneers said Monday.

John Bayley doesn’t have room for the books at his house in Oxford now that he’s remarried, said Rachel Lee. Her company, Rachel Lee Rare Books, will sell the collection, valued at about $240,000, at the Antiquarian Book Fair in London from June 5 through June 8.

Bayley’s memoir about Murdoch’s decline from Alzheimer’s disease was the basis of the 2001 film “Iris,” staring Judi Dench and Kate Winslet. Jim Broadbent won a supporting-actor Oscar for his portrayal of Bayley.

Three years ago, Bayley married Audi Villers, a family friend since the mid-1960s.