The papers of John Pearson comprise manuscript notebooks of lectures and experimental write-ups compiled by Pearson when he was a student at Chelsea Polytechnic, 1954-1957, and include notes on electricity, optics, electronics and circuit theory, electromagnetic theory, diffraction gratings, wave mechanics and X-ray physics.

South-Western Polytechnic, Chelsea Polytechnic, Chelsea College of Science and Technology, and Chelsea College Prospectuses, Handbooks and other Publications, 1895-1985. This class of material forms the most readily accessible source of information on the academic and other historical development of the College from its inception until the merger with King's and Queen Elizabeth College in 1985, and notably contains sets of general undergraduate prospectuses for Chelsea courses, 1895-1985, and of general postgraduate syllabuses, 1967-1985; prospectuses for specific undergraduate and postgraduate component courses of study including physics, chemistry, electronics, pharmacy and science education, 1962-1985 (Ref: C/SYL); student information brochures including information on courses, facilities, regulations, Library readers' guides and other academic services handbooks and College histories, 1932-1996 (Ref: C/HAN, C/PUB); Student Union handbooks and related publications such as activities booklets and Union constitution, 1959-1984 (Ref: CU/HAN, CSU/REG, CSU/F); Annual Reports summarising College business, including departmental summaries, finances, academic awards, appointments and retirements and notable events, with statistics and some higher degree and professional examination results in reports prior to the incorporation of the College into the University of London, 1896-1983; a collection of ad hoc reports addressing specific issues concerning Chelsea such as the evolution of the Higher Education sector in the United Kingdom, reports on scientific expeditions to the Azores, Arctic and other locations, and progress reports on research projects undertaken at Chelsea, 1909-1983 (Ref: C/RPT); College rules and regulations including financial regulations, 1967-1982 (Ref: C/REG).

Archives of the University of Surrey and its predecessor institutions, 1890-2003. The archives include papers connected with the original foundation, 1890-1894; minutes of Governing Body, Council, Senate, and their Committees, 1891-2003; reports of the Governing body, 1893-1926; of the Principal, 1910-1965, and of the Vice Chancellor, 1966-2003; building and accommodation papers and plans, 1960s-2003; records of academic departments and research institutes, including electronic and environmental engineering, education, languages and law, health, human sciences and the performing arts; prospectuses and calendars, 1894-2003, and details of postgraduate courses and research studies, 1968-2003; Students' Union records; financial records including accounts and funding bodies; legal and property records; schemes of government; staffing records and biographical notes of some members of staff; student and university magazines, 1908-2003, including Battersea Polytechnic Magazine, 1908-1930; Polygon, 1931-1963; and Battersea College of Technology Magazine, 1964-1966; Battersea Polytechnic student cards, c1894-1957 (microfiche); photographic collection covering buildings, events and people,1889-2000.