The material in Dorothy Reich's personal papers covers the years from 1892 to 1981, although the majority relates to the 1950s and 1960s. Her papers include a great deal of material created by Professor Edna Purdie, her teacher and colleague. This is partly due to the fact that on Purdie's death in 1968, Reich took over the editing of 'A History of German Literature' by J.G. Robertson who had also been a Professor of German at Bedford College. Reich's papers therefore include a great deal of material relating to the 3rd and 4th editions of the book edited by Purdie. However, the papers also include material created by Purdie which is unrelated to the publication of the book. The material relating to the revisions of 'A History of German Literature' includes Edna Purdie's correspondence with W.I. Lucas, Professor of German at the University of Southampton, who contributed towards the revisions of the book, and Dr Mary Bearne who assisted Purdie with the section on the Early New High German period. There are also letters from the book's publishers, Blackwood and Sons, about the date of publication for the third edition and correspondence in German between Purdie and the German publishers, Vandenhoek & Ruprecht, regarding a translation of the book into German. There is an extensive collection of handwritten notes and typed manuscripts relating to the revision of the book, including annotated copies of previously published editions. There is also material relating to Henry Handel Richardson, which would have also come into Dorothy Reich's possession through Edna Purdie. Henry Handel Richardson was the wife of J.G. Robertson and was a friend of Purdie's. Her real name was Ethel Florence Lindsey Richardson and she was an Australian author. 'Myself When Young' was her autobiography which she was in the process of writing when she died in 1946. The book was finished by her secretary Olga Roncoroni, with the help of Edna Purdie, and published in 1948. The other material relating to Handel Richardson concerns the publication of a book edited by Purdie and Roncoroni entitled 'Henry Handel Richardson; some personal impressions'. The collection includes material relating to Purdie's career at Bedford College, including papers and correspondence relating to both her teaching and research activities, as well as social aspects of her time at the College, such as her membership of the Wine Association. There are also a number of copies of lectures and publications on the subject of German Literature, which are presumed to have been collected by Purdie. There is a small collection of papers that appears to have been created by J.G. Robertson between 1900 and 1930. These include lectures he gave as well as manuscripts and notes for 'A History of the Romantic Movement', and notes relating to some of his other research topics.
