This small collection remains enigmatic. Somebody (c 1950) went to the trouble of typing out larger parts of Lenin's published work on Women and Communism (held in the main book sequence, though a slightly different edition). Typescript copied from 'Women and Communism' and newspaper delivery note.
Lenin , Vladimir Illich , 1870-1924 , communist leaderThe archive consists of an illustrated typescript autobiography of Mollie Prendergast spanning the greater part of the twentieth century. Includes accounts of her family history and background; her rural childhood and her time in service; the education and working lives of herself and of other family members; her life in London, including during the Blitz; her work as a civil servant; holidays and trips abroad; and her involvement with left wing political and social action.
Prendergast , Mollie , b 1907-fl 1977The archive consists of letters from Charlotte Despard to Charles Wilson (1920-1932) ; photograph of Mrs Wilson (c. 1920); and a diary of a trip to the USSR (1930).
The letters cover the periods 1920-1922 and 1930-1932, and were written to Mr Charles Wilson of Willington, County Durham, Mr Wilson was a political activist who worked with the Durham miners, and Mrs Despard lectured to his students in 1921 and 1930. In the letters Mrs Despard refers to Mr Wilson's poetry; she also sent him a poem that she had written. She refers to her own political activities, in Ireland, lecturing for the Labour Party against British Policy in India. She also mentions several of the illnesses that were beginning to restrict severely such activities.
Despard , Charlotte , 1844-1939 , President of the Women's Freedom League