Papers and correspondence, 1846-1974, of David Meredith Seares Watson and his family, largely comprising biographical material and family papers, scientific correspondence, and photographs, also including a few Exchequer receipts, 1568-1622.

Biographical material, 1886-1974, includes Watson's birth certificate, 1886; documentation, including certificates and correspondence, of Watson's career, honours and awards over a period of forty years, including election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, 1922, the award of its Darwin medal, 1942, and the Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society, 1965; correspondence about the Directorship of the British Museum (Natural History), 1937; correspondence about the presentation album on his retirement from the Jodrell Chair, 1951; correspondence and papers relating to his final retirement from research, 1965; obituaries, 1973; F R Parrington and T S Westoll's memoir of Watson from Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, 1974; an account of Watson's early days and family background by his daughter Janet Vida; recollections by his research assistant Joyce Townsend; Watson's curriculum vita and bibliography.

Family papers include the birth certificate of Watson's father, David, 1846, correspondence with his wife Mary, 1888, and a letter of condolence to Mrs Watson on her husband's death, 1899; diaries of Mary Watson, 1881, 1885; birth certificate of their daughter Constance, 1888, letters from Constance to her brother David Meredith Seares Watson, 1905-1909 and undated; papers relating to Katharine Margarite Watson (née Parker), Watson's wife, including her birth certificate, 1891, marriage certificate, 1917, death certificate, 1969, and various correspondence; papers relating to Watson's daughter Katharine Mary, including letters of congratulation on her birth, 1918, and letters to her parents, 1950, 1955; material relating to Watson's mother's family, including letters of her father Samuel M Seares, 1871, 1879-1882; papers of Charles J B Hutchinson, 1879-1880, who emigrated to Australia after his engagement to Watson's mother was broken off but who remained in correspondence with her aunt, Fanny Rossiter; other Parker family papers, 1929-1972; miscellaneous other personal correspondence, 1896-1965.

Four Exchequer receipts dated 1568, 1580, 1616 and 1622 were found enclosed with a letter to Watson's wife.

Scientific correspondence of Watson, sometimes including photographs of fossil specimens, with leading palaeontologists in Africa, 1947-1953, America, 1915-1964, Australia, 1931-1962, China, 1926-1927, 1935-1964, England, 1913-1914, 1920, 1926-1960, France, 1930-1936, 1945-1956, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, 1920-1962, Russia, 1920-1962, and Scandinavia, 1922-1964, and with the palaeontologist Robert Broom, 1911-1950, and Watson's research assistant Joyce Townshend, 1929-1973, also including a few letters from Watson's wife and scientific colleagues, and an obituary of Watson, 1974; correspondence and papers on bones found at Qau, Egypt, 1930-1957, 1972; miscellaneous other palaeontological correspondence, 1912-1967. There are few copies of Watson's outgoing letters before the end of the Second World War.

Photographic material comprises photographs documenting Watson's career, [1912]-1965 and undated, some including colleagues; photographs of scientific colleagues, 1911-1951 and undated, including Watson's predecessor as Professor at University College London, J P Hill, and Robert Broom; album of photographs and signatures presented to Watson, 1951; undated family photographs, including a photograph of Watson as a boy, photographs of members of the Seares and Parker families, and photographs of Watson's wife, Katharine Margarite, and daughter, Katharine Mary; photographs of unidentified fossil specimens.

Royal Society Darwin Medal Award given to Watson, 1942.

The collection consists mainly of minutes, financial records, manuscripts of unpublished texts and correspondence. It provides interesting detail on what one section of society thought would provide education for another. There is much useful information on the reading preferences of the public, and on the growth and development of Mechanics' Institutes. Most of those concerned with the founding of the Society as a project in self-education were also involved in the founding of the new University of London (now University College London) and some, like Augustus De Morgan and George Long, actually taught there. There is also considerable information on the work of publishers, illustrators, engravers and booksellers and on writers, whether already established authorities in their field or young hopefuls, like G H Lewes, who sought to establish themselves through the Society's patronage.

Papers of Katharine Longley, 1812-1993, comprising research notebooks; correspondence files; material associated with the Wickham and Ternan families; photocopies of manuscript material; photocopies from periodicals; a copy of The Charles Dickens Birthday Book; material on The Mystery of Edwin Drood; typescript of A Singular Light; typescript of A Pardoner's Tale; typescripts of Charles Dickens: Towards the Truth; typescript essays; printed books; and photographs and negatives.

Letter from John Loudon McAdam to the antiquary and topographer, John Britton, 27 Oct 1826. Thanking Britton for his paper and commenting on prospective modifications to the Poor Law.

Papers of Francis Tebbs Havergal, 31 Oct 1883, comprising a letter to accompany the volume of Monumental Inscriptions in Hereford Cathedral (1881) he sent to Sir Albert Woods and set of coloured plates of coats of arms from Hereford Cathedral.

Papers of Francis Bacon Society comprise a letter from Alfred Dodd to Mrs Bayley regarding his Francis Bacon scholarship, 1938.

A holograph letter, 1877, by William Morris to an unidentified recipient.

A holograph fair copy of Portraits of the Period by Sir Hugh Walpole, with a letter from the author, 1918-1919.

Letter from Sir Osbert Lancaster of Flat 2, 12 Eaton Square, London to [Dr John Henry Pyle Pafford], 22 Jun [1945-1967]. Agreeing to autograph a book for the University of London Library.

2 letters from E R Le Mare of Hazelwood, Clevedon, Somerset to J O Chadwick of 46 Bolton Road, St John's Wood, London.

(1) Urging Chadwick to enter the House of Commons - 'we want practical men, men who will dare to think for themselves, and maintain their opinions'; with part of the envelope, bearing stamps and the address, 31 October 1879.

(2) Describing how Le Mare is 82 years old and nearly blind. To write, he uses 'a frame of woodwork with a frame of wire work laid upon it with thin bars across to keep the lines straight, 7 November 1879.

Autographs, with signatures.

1. A miscellaneous collection of orders, receipts and warrants for payment issued by various departments of the Exchequer, with letters of assignment and attorney relating to those who had financial dealings with the Exchequer, 1670-1774. From the mutilated state of some items, the documents appear to have been collected for their autograph interest. Signatories mainly comprise senior politicians and statesmen connected with the Exchequer, notably Prime Ministers, Chancellors and Lord Treasurers.
2. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1728-1846, also collected for its autograph interest. They comprise:
   a) An Ordnance Office Order of 21 May, 1728, to issue from the Tower powder and shot for six months' exercise to the first Regiment of Foot Guards, signed by John Armstrong, George Gregory, Leonard Smelt, T. White and Charles Wills. It is accompanied by a note of delivery, 24 May, 1728, signed by Leonard Welsted. (2 leaves. 12½" x 8").
   b) Letter from Commodore Thomas Collingwood, written from Grafton Gros, Islet Bay in St Lucia on 27 January, 1780, to Thomas Shirley announcing the delivery by James Gordon of 34 puncheons of rum to be supplied to the ships. (Single sheet, 13" x 8").
   c) Late 18th century notes on the church of Bowers Gifford and Bowers Hall Manor, Essex, with particular reference to the Boughton family. The final leaf bears a postmark and is addressed to 'Mr. Thorne, senr., at Mistress Spenloves, Silk Mercer, Cornhill, London'. (4 leaves. 14½" x 9").
   d) Letter of 19 Oct 1800, written at Mount Juliet, Thomastown, from Somerset Lowry-Corry, Viscount Corry, later 2nd Earl Belmore, to William Leader of Liquor Pond Street, London, concerning the acquisition of a carriage. The letter requires him to 'put in hands for me immediately a chaise with a box to take on and off so that it may be either used as a street carriage or for travelling. I should wish it to be very complete and finished in the highest manner - The Butler arms must be quartered with mine on...it'. This letter was written on the eve of Lord Corry's marriage, by special licence, at Mount Juliet, to Juliana, daughter of Henry Thomas Butler, 2nd Earl of Carrick. (2 leaves. 9¼" x 7¼").
   e) Letter from Samuel Whitbread, dated 18 Jan 1801, to Mr. Lucas, coachmaker, Liquor Pond Street, [perhaps concerning the coach mentioned above]. (Single sheet. 4½ x 7½").
   f) Letter from Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne, 26 Apr 1802, ordering 'One pair of riding breeches [from] Joseph Porter'. (Single sheet. 4½ x 6").
   g) Letter from Edmund Boyle, 8th Earl of Cork, written in St. Albans on 18 Jul 1803, to Mr. Lucas, coachmaker, Liquor Pond Street, arranging for him to call. There are some pencilled notes below. (2 leaves. 9" x 7¼").
   h) Agreement, made 16 Feb 1811, between Ron[ald] Campbell, Major in the 72nd regiment, Charles Decoetlogon, H. Irwin, John Moody, Joseph Reed and Thomas Stones, prize agents, to share equally in the 'emoluments and advantages arising from the prize agency for the capture of the Isle of France. (2 leaves. 13" x 7¾").
   i) Letter from Joseph Coppock, written at Sandfords Library, Plymouth Dock, on 17 Sep 1817, to Messrs. Clarksons, solicitors, Essex Street, Strand, London, mentioning the affairs of Mr. A.N. Earl(e), and arranging for a call to be made on 'Mr. Holt, the accountant for stores at the Victualling Office...to sign your name to a letter of application I made to the Board in your name for duplicate certificates some time ago...'. (2 leaves. 9" x 7½").
   j) Weekly return of coals, candles and brooms issued to the 71st Regiment from 12-18 February, 1821, at the New Infantry Barracks, Canterbury. Lists names of officers supplied. Signed Joseph William Dutie, 'D.M.' and A. Jones, Major commanding the 71st Regiment. (Single sheet. 12½" x 8").
   k) Printed broker's receipt of 28 May, 1846, for Consolidated 3% Annuities sold on behalf of Miss Eliza Wardell and John Froggatt, esq., executors of J.A. Wardell, esq. Signed by John Bull, broker. (Single sheet. 3" x 8").

Signature of Sir Francis George Newbolt, in pencil, on a printed dinner menu of the Norwegian Club. The dinner was held on 3 Dec 1930 at which time Newbolt was Vice-President of the Club, and took the chair.

An exercise book of Margaret Harvey containing a list of 'books read', 1895-1900, with a note of when and where some of those books were read.

Papers of Rose Kosky, [1970s-1980s], chiefly relating to the Barking Reading Project, including schemes, cassettes, notes and teaching materials.

Comprises handwriting examples of pupils and teachers; teaching resources; articles; photographs and slides of children writing; papers relating to training provided by Sassoon and conferences in the UK, Australia and the USA; 'Joins in children's handwriting, and the effects of different models and teaching methods', by Rosemary Sassoon - thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Typography and Communication, University of Reading, May 1988; papers regarding back pain in education.

The item comprises a wooden block on which is mounted Sir James Young Simpson's signature, apparently torn from a document. Only the first part of the date, "31st Dec", survives.

Records of the organisation known variously as the Polytechnic Sports Club, the The Institute of the Polytechnic Sports and Social Clubs, and The Polytechnic Sports Club Committee, as well as records of the Polytechnic's Men's and Women's Council, and Joint Council.

This collection includes all records relating to the organisation of sports and social activities by members of the Polytechnic except for records of the individual clubs themselves, which are catalogued as separate collections. However it does include correspondence with the clubs by the Secretary and Committees. This collection also includes papers relating to the award of Polytechnic-wide medals and trophies, including the Elsie Hoare Trophy, Studd Trophy and Ditchman Trophy.

Papers of William Henry Beveredge and Elspeth Burn, c1943-c1963, comprise correspondence and papers relating to Beveridge collected by Elspeth Burn.

The collection of primarily bound volumes comprises the business documents of Robert Newman and Co., and related companies, 1774-1955. The documents themselves include letter books, journals, ledgers, account books, memorandums and ship registers, and relate chiefly to trading in Newfoundland, Canada. Many of these internal working documents were originally intended to serve as permanent records. They can provide the researcher with a general overview of the financial and statistical history of the firm, giving a record of transactions as they occurred. In addition, they offer a degree of descriptive information, showing the development of codes and ciphers used by the firm, an insight into labour relations, and a detailing of the raw materials used for trade.

The records relate to the following company names; Hunt Newman Roope and Co; Hunt Roope and Co; Hunt Roope Teage and Co; John Newman and Co; Newman and Co; Newman Hunt and Co; Newman Hunt and Lyon; Newman and Land; Newman Land Hunt and Co; Newman and Roope; Robert Newman and Co.

Volumes 2 and 102 are missing from the collection and number 91 was not originally used when the items were acquisitioned.

Papers created by or collected by Michael Oakeshott, c1880-c1995, notably include manuscripts of both published and unpublished works; notebooks and notes; personal correspondence with colleagues and family; press cuttings; administrative papers relating to his education and career. Also include papers relating to Oakeshott collected or created by Shirley Letwin and others, including research papers for Shirley Letwin's proposed biography of Oakeshott.

Journals, 1873-1890, of Samuel Goodyer, describing his training, preparations for missionary work in Jamaica, religious practices including preaching and praying, his reading, the journey to Jamaica, missionary work and impressions of Jamaica, and his return to England.