Papers of the Gilchrist Educational Trust, 1805-1999, including minutes, 1865-1995; annual reports, 1874-1940; Secretary's reports to the Trustees, 1941-1948; Trustees accounts, 1865-1979, and other financial papers, 1890-1977; legal papers, 1841-1955, including probate copy of the will of John Borthwick Gilchrist, 1841 and deeds of appointment of Trustees, 1911-1999; papers relating to John Borthwick Gilchrist, 1805-1948 including Grants of Arms to Gilchrist, photographs, engraving from a picture of Gilchrist painted by Sir Henry Raeburn and papers relating to Gilchrist's tomb; minutes of special meetings of the Trustees; Trustee's correspondence; memoranda and reports to the Trustees; papers relating to the Fison Memorial Fund, 1925-1965, including agreements for publications of lectures; balance sheets, annual accounts and pass book; publications by and about the Trust, 1881-1976 and correspondence, 1880-1984.

The collection comprises information pertaining to the formation and activities of the London Association for the Teaching of English (L.A.T.E), specifically Annual General Meetings, Annual quarterly meetings, Conferences (where educational matters were discussed), Study Groups reports as well as transcripts, scripts and papers relating to the work of students. Some of the collection contains correspondence with other agencies, as well as the correspondence between members of the Association, in particular Miss Nancy Martin with other persons. There are some newspaper clippings.

Papers and correspondence of Max Nicholson, 1928-1987, including papers relating to the first expeditions of the Oxford University Exploration Club, 1928-1929; the work of the Terrestrial Conservation Section of the International Biological Programme (IBP) in Azraq, Jordan, in Tanzania and Tunisia and in miscellaneous expeditions of the 1960s to 1980s linked with the IBP; correspondence relating to National Parks, papers relating to the Jordan International Biological Station; papers relating to the Darwin Station, 1962-1971; papers relating to work in Egypt, 1983-1984; Tunisia, 1967 and Yugoslavia; papers relating to the UN/FAO Survey Team in Kalat State, Baluchistan, 1952-1953; photographs, print and correspondence relating to a number of expeditions on conservation and birdlife, 1929-1987.

Student records, 1849-1985, including student register books, 1849-[1985]; the Lady Resident's private Memoranda Book, 1867-1871; student files containing personal details on each student, 1890-[1985]; student register book, with courses attended, 1893-1900; alphabetical list of students (1938-1939 missing), 1936-1938, 1940-1984; printed pamphlets containing lists of students from 1849-[1985]; register of student courses, 1856-1872; lists of classes attended by students, 1872-1875 and 1895-1905; lists of students arranged by course, 1936-1968; student entrance forms, 1892-1905, and annual lists of students accepted for admission, 1947-1965; student reports, with notes on scholarships and grades, 1892-1969; lists of degree results and further training of students, 1947-1968; Students' Marriage Book, 1922-1967, 1970; list of female graduates of the University of London, 1879-1899; lists of students living in College residences, 1967-1985; correspondence relating to the award of the Associateship of Bedford College, 1896-1906. Examination Records, 1877-1985, including a register of University of London Graduates, 1879-1899; bound lists of examination results, 1898-1967; register book of Certificate Examinations taken by Bedford College students, 1892-1915; register book of Hygiene Certificate students, 1895-1915; University Gazette pass lists, 1919-1985; examination papers for various subjects, 1877-1878 and 1936-1982; papers relating to Entrance Examinations for Bedford College, 1936-1973. Papers relating to Scholarships and Prizes, 1886-1985, notably material relating to the Bedford College Entrance Scholarship, 1886, and 1908; papers relating to the award of College prizes, 1968-1985; papers relating to the award of bursaries to attend the Annual Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1968-1984; papers relating to the award of scholarships, 1968-1985; papers relating to the College Board of Examiners, 1966-1983. College publications, notably prospectus leaflets, 1902-1908 and booklets, 1920-1984; printed timetables, 1893, 1947-1948 and 1953-1957; incomplete set of printed College Calendars, 1888-1968. Material relating to Visitation records and student statistics, namely Registrar's papers concerning University Grants Committee Visitations, 1969 and 1978; Registrar's papers relating to Quinquennial planning, 1977-1982; Universities Central Council on Admission Financial Statements, 1976-1982. Correspondence and committee papers, including material relating to Bedford College Union Society and student activities, 1969-1980, notably student representation on the Academic Board; Bedford College Council, 1955-1984; Bedford College Governors' Meetings, 1967-1984; Bedford College Secretary's Meetings, 1976-1982; the Academic Board, 1971-1973 and 1980-1981, including papers on its structure; Bedford College Faculties, 1956-1984; College Departments, 1968-1978; Council Standing Committees, notably the Library Committee, 1971-1982, the Finance Committee, 1972-1984, the House Committee, 1969-1972, the Premises Committee, 1969-1972, the Staff-Student Joint Committee, 1971-1983, and the Space Utilisation Committee, 1967-1983; Sub-Committees on Occasional Students, 1968-1971, Vacation Grants, 1970-1982, Student Counselling, Welfare and discipline, 1965-1985, General Services, 1979-1981, and Halls of Residence, 1968-1981; working parties, especially on the Development Appeal, 1977-1981, and teaching loads, 1969 and 1978; relations with the University of London, notably relating to the Academic Council, 1969-1982, and Committees, 1968-1975, and the University of London Joint Working Party on Decentralisation, 1982; relations with other University of London Colleges, and the merger with Royal Holloway College, 1972-1985, including Committees on academic co-ordination, administrative structure and joint planning.

Legal papers and correspondence, notably a copy Declaration of Trust, 5 Aug 1881, between Thomas Holloway and Henry Driver, George Martin and David Chadwick, for the pictures and furniture of Royal Holloway College; a copy Declaration of Trust, 25 Aug 1883, between Thomas Holloway and George Martin and Henry Driver for the endowment of Royal Holloway College; correspondence, 1883-1946, relating to the Declaration of Trust; a copy of the Conveyance of the Mount Lee Estate, 1876. Minute books of Trustees' Meetings, 1885-1949. Trustee's accounts, including printed annual accounts, 1887-1949; Trustee's accounts, 1883-1948, and statements of account for the Marie Péchinet Fund, 1912-1967; Holloway College accounts, 1883-1887, including expenses for the opening ceremony; Building and General Account cash books, 1882-1911; Endowment Fund journals and cash books, 1883-1969. Material relating to the opening of the College, including printed brochures of Royal Holloway College prepared for the Trustees for the opening ceremony, orders of service, guest lists, tickets and notices, 1886.

Records, [1885]-1986, of the Polytechnic Secondary School, its predecessors and successors, consisting of membership records, comprising Day School registers, 1890-1892, 1905-1911, including lists of free scholarships, 1891-1894, Girls' Day School register, 1900-1906, and Polytechnic Secondary School lists, 1925-1935; administrative papers, including papers relating to a conference between the Governing Body and H M Inspectors concerning inspection of the Polytechnic Secondary School, 1929, circulars from the London County Council, Ministry of Health and Board of Education and other papers relating to the evacuation of the school, 1939-1940, Instrument dealing with the government of the Quintin School, 1951, file relating to management of the Quintin School, including Governors' minutes, 1962-1967, and miscellaneous other papers relating to the school; material relating to events, comprising Polytechnic Intermediate & Technical School for Boys programme of swimming display, 1890, programme of annual sports, 1920, Speech Day programmes, 1920-1922, 1926, 1930-1931, 1934, 1951, 1968, including Headmaster's reports, 1925-1926, 1929-1930, 1933-1924, programmes of presentation of athletic prizes, 1929-1930, 1934, including Headmaster's report, 1928-1929, programme for the opening of the new building, 1957; printed material, comprising photocopy of a prospectus of the Polytechnic Middle Class School for Boys [1885], Commercial School fifth form gazette, 1903, The Old Quintinian, 1912-1913, The Quintinian, 1920, 1927-1943, 1949-1959, The Polytechnic Secondary School [1938], L C B Seaman, The Quintin School 1886-1956: a brief history (London, 1957), and The Quintin School Hymn Book, undated; photographs of pupils, staff, activities and sports teams, c1888-[1960s], some undated; ephemera, artefacts and memorabilia, including dictionary inscribed F H Master, 1917, Christmas crackers, 1938, engraved House Fours cup, 1939, school cap and tie, and undated song sheet; papers of Lehman Robert Baars relating to his time at the school, 1931-1935, including reports, exam results and school lists; papers relating to an exhibition on the school, 1986.