Collection GB 0074 ACC/2337 - JOHN BURNS COLLECTION

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 ACC/2337

Title

JOHN BURNS COLLECTION

Date(s)

  • 1820-1926 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.01 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

John Elliott Burns was born in Lambeth, London in 1858, into a poor family. He was apprenticed to an engineer but attended night schools and read radical literature, becoming involved in the Social Democratic Federation. In 1889 he won a seat on the London County Council, for Battersea. He soon became a dominant figure in the Council, due to his hard work and powerful personality. In 1892 he was elected MP for Battersea, standing as an independent candidate. In 1905 he was offered the presidency of the Local Government Board, the first working man to achieve rank in the cabinet. Burns resigned from the Government in 1914 in protest at the First World War and retired from public life. He died in 1943.

Archival history

GB 0074 ACC/2337 1820-1926 Collection 0.01 linear metres Burns , John Elliott , 1858-1943 , labour leader and politician

John Elliott Burns was born in Lambeth, London in 1858, into a poor family. He was apprenticed to an engineer but attended night schools and read radical literature, becoming involved in the Social Democratic Federation. In 1889 he won a seat on the London County Council, for Battersea. He soon became a dominant figure in the Council, due to his hard work and powerful personality. In 1892 he was elected MP for Battersea, standing as an independent candidate. In 1905 he was offered the presidency of the Local Government Board, the first working man to achieve rank in the cabinet. Burns resigned from the Government in 1914 in protest at the First World War and retired from public life. He died in 1943.

The John Burns private collection of documents was acquired by Lord Southwood, who gave them to the Greater London History Library in 1943. The collection consisted mainly of books, maps and prints. Any archival items found during cataloguing were transferred to the Record Office.

Letters to John Burns, 1901-1926, including letters from the London County Council Works Department, letters relating to the collecting of prints and drawings, and letters relating to Burns' library and book collection. Also two letters collected by Burns, comprising a letter from Lord Sidmouth to the Bishop of Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ireland, 1820 and a letter from Henry Burney to "Smith", 18--.

Letters arranged chronologically.

Available for general access.

Copyright to this collection rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

August to October 2010. London England LCC , London County Council x London County Council Burns , John Elliott , 1858-1943 , labour leader and politician Information/library research UK Bibliology Government Public administration Local authorities Local government County councils Leisure Leisure time activities Hobbies Collecting Western Europe Europe

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The John Burns private collection of documents was acquired by Lord Southwood, who gave them to the Greater London History Library in 1943. The collection consisted mainly of books, maps and prints. Any archival items found during cataloguing were transferred to the Record Office.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Letters to John Burns, 1901-1926, including letters from the London County Council Works Department, letters relating to the collecting of prints and drawings, and letters relating to Burns' library and book collection. Also two letters collected by Burns, comprising a letter from Lord Sidmouth to the Bishop of Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ireland, 1820 and a letter from Henry Burney to "Smith", 18--.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Letters arranged chronologically.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to this collection rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area