The archives comprise of the administrative records of the College and its predecessor bodies from 1841. The archive also includes personal and asylum records donated by former prominent Members and Fellows of the College, and some printed material in the form of booklets containing histories of mental hospitals, reports of Commissioners in Lunacy, reports on London County Asylums and Parliamentary Papers on Mental Health. Specifically, the records include:

Foundation Papers: Papers of the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane (the first predecessor body of the College); Circulars received by Dr Jones of Chester announcing the preliminary meeting of the Association, with minutes of the preliminary, first and second meetings, 1841 and 1842. Announcements of Association meetings in the 1850s and 1860s; report of the Special Committee to consider the Government's Bills for the Amendment of the Laws relating to the Care and Treatment of the Insane, 1859.

Minutes and related papers: on the foundation of the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane, 1841 and minutes of meetings, 1841-54, excluding 1845, 1846, 1848, 1849 and 1853 when there were no meetings. Annual meeting minutes have been abstracted onto a Meetings Database. The database can be accessed from the College Library online catalogue. There are no manuscript minutes after 1854 as the Journal of Mental Science was started in that year and the minutes printed in the journal became the official record. Financial information contained in the minutes was also considered the official record and there are no separate financial papers.

Administrative papers, correspondence and circulars: of The Medico-Psychological Association 1870s-[1920], including a few papers on nursing and other examinations, asylum officers superannuation, insanity as grounds for divorce, letters of congratulation, meeting programmes and abstracts, dinner invitations, and menus.

Council minutes, 1887-November 1971: with a few supporting papers, e.g. agenda. An acting sub-committee (also referred to as the managing committee) was appointed at the 1856 annual meeting and there are references to council meetings in the 1860s but no minutes before 1887 have been found. There are some omissions after 1887, especially in the early years but it is not clear if this was because there was no meeting or because no minutes were taken. Council minutes 1887-1971 have been abstracted onto the Meetings Database.

Council and Executive and Finance Committee: Minutes from 1971 onwards are on the Policy Index, which is on the College Library online catalogue.

Minutes and some papers of the Appeals and Buildings Committee, 1972-1974, Appeal Committee 1974-1987, Appeal Advisory Committee, 1989-1990 and Appeals Committee, 1992-1994; Correspondence with contributors (mainly major donors) to the Appeal and on administrative matters, 1971-1979, including the formation of a College chapter in North America and opposition in divisions to a London headquarters; agreement with Craigmyle, 1988.

Conference Office Records: Minutes of committees for organizing the 1999, 2000 and 2001 annual meetings.

Public Education, Parliamentary, and Public Relations Committees Records:

Parliamentary Committee: minutes, 1906-72; General Purposes Sub-Committee: Minutes, 1968-1972; Working Party to Review the Mental Health Act 1959: minutes, 1972-1974; All Parliamentary Group on Mental Health: Minutes and notes of meetings, 1980-1997; Annual Reports 1999-2006; Minutes 1998-2006; Annual meetings with Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC): Minutes 1994 onwards, excluding 1997; Papers and Discussions Committee/Programmes and Meetings Committee: Minutes, 1946-1992; Public Education Committee: Minutes, 1987-2005; Reports to Executive and Finance Committee and Council, 1988-2000; Launch of Help is at Hand leaflets, correspondence, invitations, launch; Public Education Committee Editorial Sub-Committee: Minutes, 4 Oct 2002-20 Jun 2007, Proposal to St Andrews Charitable Fund and resource catalogues; Patients' Liaison Group/Patients and Carers' Liaison Group/Special Committee of Patients and Carers (SCPC): Minutes of Meetings, 1991-2006; Public Policy Committee (PPC): Minutes, 1972 onwards (some missing for 1994); membership lists, 1989-1999; Mental Health Law Sub-Committee: Minutes, September 1994 onwards (1996 missing); Parliamentary Liaison Sub-Committee: (Parliamentary Committee in 1992, Parliamentary Liaison Group, 1994-1999; Parliamentary Sub-Committee, 1999 onwards); Minutes, 1992 onwards (not complete), 2002-2007 (complete); Minutes of joint meetings of the Mental Health Law Sub-Committee and the Parliamentary Liaison Sub-Committee, 2003 are stored with the Parliamentary Liaison Sub-Committee minutes; Public Relations Committee: minutes, 1957-1971; Special Committee on Unethical Psychiatric Practices (SCOUPP): Minutes, 1978 (inaugural meeting) to 1993; agenda 1978-1993; attendance book 1979-1993; Ethics Sub-Committee/Working Group minutes and agenda, November 1994 onwards; Joint Meeting of the Mental Health, Ageing and Older People, Autism, Disability, Drugs and the Primary Care and Public Health All Party Parliamentary Groups and the Associate Parliamentary Group: Minutes of Meeting to discuss the Mental Health Bill, 30 January 2007.

Joint Committees Records:

A Joint Meeting of the Men's Health and Mental Health All Party Parliamentary Groups: Minutes of Meeting to discuss Men's Mental Health, 13 June 2006; A Meeting of the Mental Health APPG in association with the APPGs on Ageing and Older People, Autism, Carers, Children, Disability, Drugs Misuse, Associate Parliamentary Group, Learning Disability, Primary Care and Public Health: Minutes to discuss The Mental Health Bill, 17 January 2007.

Meeting between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Mental Health Act Commission: Notes of Meetings of 2004 and 2006.

Meeting of Mental Health Law Sub-Committee Minutes: 24 February 2004.

Medical Planning Committee: Minutes, papers and memo, 1941-1945.

British Geriatrics Society (BGS)/College Joint Liaison Committee: Minutes, 1979-90, (not complete); proposed constitution 1976.

Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry/BGS Liaison Committee: Minutes, 1996-2000, correspondence on establishment of BGS Special Interest group on Cerebral Ageing and Mental Health Care, 1998-2000.

British Paediatric Association/BPA/College Joint Liaison Committee: Minutes 1986-8, July 1991-November 1992 (not complete); letters on remit, 1980s.

British Psychological Society/College Joint Liaison Committee: Minutes 1977-94 and a little correspondence about re-formation, 1975-1976, constitution 1987 and College's withdrawal of administrative support, 1995.

College of Occupational Therapists/College Liaison Committee: Minutes 1988-1993.

Medical Planning Committee: Minutes, papers and memo, 1941-1945.

British Geriatrics Society/College Joint Liaison Committee: Minutes, 1979-90, (not complete).

Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry/BGS Liaison Committee: Minutes, 1996-2000, correspondence on establishment of BGS Special Interest group on Cerebral Ageing and Mental Health Care, 1998-2000.

British Paediatric Association (BPA)/College Joint Liaison Committee: Minutes 1986-8, July 1991-November 1992 (not complete); letters on remit, 1980s.

British Psychological Society/College Joint Liaison Committee: Minutes 1977-1994 and a little correspondence about re-formation, 1975-1976, constitution 1987 and College's withdrawal of administrative support, 1995.

College of Occupational Therapists/College Liaison Committee: Minutes 1988-1993.

Campaigns Records:

World Mental Health Day Campaign: Correspondence on the planting of a tree in Belgrave Square by the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists to commemorate World Mental Health Day, 10 October 1995; Correspondence and minutes of meetings on the World Mental Health Day Campaign, 1995; Correspondence and Papers on the World Mental Health Day Local Grants Scheme, 1996; World Mental Health Day Campaign, 1997.

Defeat Depression Campaign: Video tapes and associated booklet, research studies, reports, minutes, posters, newspaper and magazine articles, factsheets, Christmas card, cartoons, recipes and miscellanea; Defeat Depression Project: Final Report - by The Institute of Mental Health, Castle Peak Hospital. Hospital Authority, Hong Kong 1 pack containing: The Final Report of the Defeat Depression Project; a set of 28 educational leaflets; a book titled "Defeat Depression"; VCD on Depression; Audio CD on Drama series "The Age Depression"; Game Set - Game Fun; CD-ROM of Continuing Medical Education for General Practitioners; CD-Rom of Community Awareness Depression Kit; and Mood thermometer.

Changing Minds: Every Family in the Land: Minutes of the Changing Minds Campaign Management Committee: 2000-2003; Campaign information and booklets.

Stigma Campaign: Complete series of Stigma Campaign leaflets, tickets for launch of '1 in 4' mental health film, 2000.

2001: A Mind Odyssey: Notices, music, and other papers, scrapbook and photographs.

Partners in Care/Carers' Campaign: Notices, leaflets.

Images of Psychiatry Campaign: Psychiatry for Teachers DVD and information.

Focus: Minutes, financial and other supporting papers, details of media and other events.

Help is at Hand and other Information Factsheets: Help is at Hand leaflets. Leaflets in other languages are also included. Reprinted leaflets are also included so some that appear to be duplicates are not so, usually because they have a different publication date.

Special Interest Groups Records:

Biological Psychiatry: Letters on establishing Group, 1977-8; meeting minutes 1978-1985 (some signed) executive committee minutes (some signed) and agenda, 1984-1987; annual meeting minutes, signed, 1986-1987; letters about wish to become section, 1986-1988.

Computers in Psychiatry: letters on establishing Group, 1988; newsletters 2-7, 1989-1993.

History: letters on establishing Group, 1988; newsletters 5-8, 1989-1996.

Management: letters on establishing Group, 1991-3; Newsletter 1-2, 1995-1997; Correspondence and minutes 1991-1999.

Perinatal: minutes, papers and newsletters, 2002 onwards.

Philosophy: letters on establishing Group, 1988-1989; minutes, 1989-1993; newsletters 1-14 and 23, (not a complete series); correspondence, 1994-1998.

Private Practice in Psychiatry: letters on establishing Group, 1992-1993; minutes, 1993-1994.

Psychopharmacology: (Previously called Working Group, Working Party, Committee and Sub-Committee. Psychopharmacology Special Interest Group from 2000). Minutes March 1996, March and September 1997.

Transcultural Psychiatry: letters on establishing Group, 1990-1993; Agenda and Minutes of Meetings and Conference, 1994-1997; Correspondence and Newsletters, 1993-1998.

Postgraduate Education, Publications and Membership Records:

Board of International Affairs: minutes, 2001 onwards.

Overseas Doctors' Training Committee (previously Overseas Trainees Sub-Committee, 1974 (first meeting) -87, Overseas Liaison Group, 1988-1990; Overseas Liaison Committee, 1990-1995): Minutes, 1988-2000, lists of overseas doctors who have completed training, 1997 onwards (names, country of origin, dates of start and finish and status only).

Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Minutes of Continuing Medical Education (CME)/CPD committee, 1992 (first meeting) onwards; a few notes and papers relating to establishing CME/CPD, 1994-1995, Lists of CPD approved events, 1999, 2000 (the only ones that were produced). Notes on meetings of deputy regional advisers (CPD) 1996-1997.

Court of Electors: Papers on establishing, 1966; minutes, 1967-2000.

Collegiate Trainees Committee (CTC): Minutes, September 1979 (inaugural meeting) - November 1999.

Education Committee: Minutes, 1893 onwards (pre-1971 minutes have been abstracted onto the meetings database on Heritage Library On-line catalogue).

Education Committee Royal Medico-Psychological Association Sub-Committees: Clinical Tutors Sub-Committee minutes, 1968-1972; Diploma in Psychological medicine/DPM Sub-Committee minutes, regulations, forms, examination questions and correspondence, 1940s, 50s; Films/Audio-Visual Sub-Committee minutes, correspondence and details of films, 1956-1972; General Purposes Sub-Committee minutes, 1963-1971; Postgraduate Education in Psychiatry Committee minutes, 1958.

General Professional Training Committee: Minutes of Central Panel, May 1974 (the first meeting) to May 1980 continued as Central Approval Panel Minutes October, 1980 to September 1997, and continued as General Professional Training Committee minutes from November 1997 onwards.

Higher Specialist Training Committee (HSTC): Minutes of JCHPT, 1973 (first meeting) -97 (final meeting) with correspondence on establishing, 1972 and Professor Brockington's notes, c1994; HSTC minutes, 1998- ; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry SAC minutes, 1972 (1st meeting)-98; Forensic Psychiatry SAC minutes, 1973 (1st meeting)-98; General and Old Age Psychiatry SAC minutes and some agenda, 1973 (1st meeting) -1998; Psychiatry of Learning Disability SAC/Mental Handicap SAC minutes, 1983-5 (few only) 1993-8; Psychotherapy SAC minutes, 1973 (first meeting) -1998.

Manpower Committee: Minutes, 1972-87, 1990-1992.

Recognition of Tutors Working Party: (Tutors Panel from 1998) Minutes and agenda, 1989-1999.

Research Committee: see Faculties and Sections for pre-1972 archives of this Committee; Consultation paper prepared by the former RMPA Research and Clinical Committee on the structure and functions of the Standing Research Committee of the College, 1972; Committee minutes, 1972-99 with a few agenda, reports and discussions on the future of the Committee.

Tutors Sub-Committee: Minutes, February 1983 (not the first meeting) -1999.

University Psychiatry Committee: Minutes, December 1996 (first meeting).

Journal Committee: minutes and papers, 1961-1991.

Business Affairs Committee/Publications Management Board: minutes and papers, 1987-January 1998.

Membership lists from the 1850s to 1960s are in the Journal of Mental Science; the same lists are in the year books included below. The Archives has other copies of membership lists produced after 1971; Year Books 1934-1969 excluding 1948, 1950-1952, 1964; RMPA membership cards A-Z.

Fellows: Biographical details of Fellows, some with photographs, 1971 onwards.

Lectures and Prizes

Alec Shapiro Travelling Fellowship: correspondence on establishing, 1988; Blake Marsh Lecture: advertisements, 1960s and 70s; Christmas Lecture: programmes and a few papers, 1987 onwards;

Eli Lilly Lecture: correspondence on establishing, and the Lilly Travelling Fellowship, 1984-1994;

Gaskell Prize: appointment of trustees, 1896, 1908, mid 20th century copy of trust deed, 1887, circular 1909, photographs of medal, correspondence about revival of Gaskell Dinner; Gaskell Club Table Mats of the Famous Insane book ; Maudsley Lecture: advertisements, 1945-74, Maudsley Bequest Lecture: advertisements, 1953-71,and Maudsley Lectures and Lecturers: List, 1981-1991; Merck Essay Prize: details, 1993-4; Brian Oliver Prize: details, 1993-5; Gillian Page Prize in Adolescent Psychiatry: correspondence about establishment, 1980-4, details, 1985, 1989-95; Penrose Memorial Meeting: programme, 1973; Research Prize and Bronze Medal: letters, 1990s; Peter Scott Memorial Fund: copy of trust deed, committee minutes and agenda, 1977-94, details, 1980s, 1990s; President's Essay Prize: details, 1991 and correspondence about disestablishment, 1994; Morris Markowe Prize: Proposals for a Public Education Prize, Correspondence, submissions for the Prize, 1990-2000; and RCPsych Awards: 2009: Minutes of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Awards Steering Group, August 2008-October 2009; certificate; awards ceremony programme, attendance list, events schedule and winners` biographies; call for papers; rules for entries; awards criteria; application forms; RCPsych Awards 2009 DVD-R; and a DVD-R on Professor Sir David Goldberg.

Mental Nursing Papers

The Nursing Certificates: The Certificate of Proficiency in Mental Nursing was founded at the Medico-Psychological Association Annual Meeting in 1890 and until 1921 was the only recognised qualification in mental nursing. A separate certificate in Mental Deficiency Nursing was instituted in 1919 and a short-lived Occupational Therapy Certificate was introduced in 1939. After negotiations with the General Nursing Council, the examinations for these certificates were discontinued, the last being held in 1951.

Handbooks: Handbook Committee reports and letters, 1937-1961.

Regulations: Regulations for the Training and Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in Nursing and Attending on the Mentally Defective, undated, before 1926; Regulations for the Training and Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in Mental Nursing and in the Nursing of Mental Defectives, revised February 1930, revised 1932; Regulations and Rules for the Nursing Certificates, July 1938; Regulations and Syllabus for the Certificate in Occupational Therapy, 1939.

Syllabus: Syllabus for the Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in Mental Nursing, November 1927; Syllabus for the Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in the Nursing of Mental Defectives, November 1927; Syllabus for the Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in the Nursing of Mental Defectives, 1932; Occupational Therapy: an Addendum to the Handbook for Mental Nurses, 1938.

Question papers: Mental Nursing Preliminary and Final Examination and Mental Deficiency Nursing Examination question papers, May 1928-May 1938; Mental Nursing Preliminary Examination question papers, May 1938-November 1949; Mental Nursing Final Examination question papers, November 1938-November 1951; Mental Deficiency Nursing Final Examination question papers, November 1938-November 1951.

Registers: Register of persons who have obtained the certificate of proficiency in nursing, 1891-1951 (18 volumes); Register of persons who have passed the preliminary examination in nursing, 1938-49 (4 volumes); Register of persons who have obtained the certificate of proficiency in nursing mental defectives, 1919-1951; Register of persons who have passed the preliminary examination in nursing mental defectives, 1938-49; Register of persons who have passed the examination in occupational therapy, Educational Committee register of chief examiners for the mental nursing certificate, 1931-1951.

State registration: Extract from Council report, 1926; report on questionnaire, 1928, report on mental defective nurse training, 1928 (all in one pamphlet); letters on relations with the GNC, 1926-9; Memos on termination of the examinations, 1946-51; Shortage of mental nurses: RMPA report and related memos and correspondence, 1953-6; Disciplinary matters: Disciplinary Committee minutes and correspondence on GNC, 1962-3; Mental Nursing Sub-Committee minutes, 1957-1971; Nursing Sub Committee: (continuing the Mental Nursing Committee, known as Nursing Committee from 1980) 1972-90; Nursing Liaison Committee: minutes 1991-1994 and a little correspondence about reorganisation 1990 and about College's withdrawal of administrative support, 1995.

Private Papers:

Freud, Sigmund: Letters on election as RMPA Honorary Member and reply to letter of welcome to England from RMPA, 1936-1938. 4 letters including 3 in German.

Galton, Francis: Letters to Dr Saleeby, mainly about publications, 1904-1909.

Meyer, Alfred: Personal certificates, letters received (some in French or German) and three photographs, 1918-71; list of printed papers and copy of first paper, 1918. Dr Meyer died in October 1990 and these papers probably came to the College Library from his widow, Dr Nina Meyer.

Letters to Samuel Tuke of York from Thomas Hancock of London, 1814-1815, from E Anderson of Dundee, 1815, from Thomas Wintar of Philadelphia, 1815 and from William Morton Pitt of Dorset, 1829-1830.

Asylums: Records and Manuscripts

Camberwell House Asylum: Case Book volume 1, 1846-7, admissions 1 to 441, with notes to 1860s; Orders for the reception of pauper patients, 1846-8, admissions 201 to 600, including admissions of some patients in above Case Book; Commissioners in Lunacy visitors book, 1846-1865.

Otto House, 47 North End Road, West Kensington: Case Book number 1, recording admissions 1902-15, with notes to 1930s and with some death certificates and letters inserted.

Unidentified asylum for female patients, possibly called Fisher House: Case Books 1848-1852, 1858-1872.

Hanwell Asylum: 'Notes of Clinical Lectures on Insanity Delivered at the Hanwell Asylum in 1848 by Dr Conolly and Dr Hitchman'.

Asylums: Plans, drawings and photographs:

Berkshire: Broadmoor: photograph of interior, exterior and patients, and of related newspaper report, from about the time of opening in 1863.
Buckinghamshire: Bucks County Lunatic Asylum: Architect's Report, 1853; plans, c1860, some probably from Lunacy Commissioners' Report.

Cambridgeshire: Isle of Ely and Borough of Cambridge Lunatic Asylum, Fulbourn: Plans, c1850. All on tracing paper, brittle and very fragile, outsize and stored in large folder Cheshire: County Asylum: 'Designs For the Proposed Lunatic Asylum For the County of Chester' 1826 (large manuscript volume, stored in folder); Lunacy Commissioners' Report and plans, 1860; concert programmes, 1860s; coloured sketch of the Pump Yard and patients, undated, 19th century.

Cheshire: Manchester Royal Hospital for the Insane (Cheadle Royal): newspaper advertisement and picture, c1850; photograph of nurses' uniforms, 1850s to 1960s, sent to RMPA, 1967; photograph of North House, c1970.
Cumbria: Cumberland and Westmorland Lunatic Asylum, Garlands, Carlisle: Plans and description from The Builder, 1858.
Derbyshire: newspaper picture of Derby County Lunatic Asylum, c1850.
Devon: Devon Pauper Lunatic Asylum: plans and related letter from architect, Charles Fowler, to Samuel Tuke, 1842. These may be the plans that were given to the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane in 1844
Dorset: Herrison Hospital: photograph of uniforms, instruments of restraint etc., taken at an exhibition, 1963; engraving with title 'Forston', 19th century.

Essex: Essex Hall Asylum, Colchester: newspaper cutting with picture, c1850
Gloucestershire: Gloucester Asylum (Horton Road): advertisement and picture, 1848; photograph of plan for extensions, early 1840s (copyright Gloucestershire Records Office, who hold the photocopy, their reference H 22 15/1, from which this photograph was taken); programme for Christmas festivities, 1865-66; photograph of exterior, c1960.

David Smith, Gloucestershire County Archivist, in a letter of 15 March 1991, said that plans of the asylum by Thomas Fulljames were with the records of that firm, GRO reference D 2593/2/41.
Herefordshire: Hereford County and City Asylum: plan from Lunacy Commissioners' Report, mid 19th century.

Hertfordshire: Leavesden see Surrey, Caterham.
Kent: Heath Asylum, Bexley: plan and photograph of ward, opened 1895; City Asylum, Stone, Dartmouth, Kent: Postcard, early 20th century.

Lancashire: County Asylum, Prestwick: plans, mid 19th century; photograph, taken 1983, of c1900 interiors.

Lancashire: Haydock Lodge, Warrington: newspaper advertisements, 1852 and pictures of exterior, mid 19th century.

Lancashire: Manchester Public Infirmary and Lunatic Asylum: photograph (copyright RSM) of exterior, 1782 and plan, 1846.

Lancashire: West Derby Lunatic Asylum, Rainhill: plan, c1849.

Leicestershire: Leicestershire and Rutland Lunatic Asylum: aerial view, 19th century.

Lincolnshire: Lincoln Asylum (The Lawn): plan, 1843, photograph and postcard, c1960
Lincolnshire: County Asylum: plan and newspaper description, mid 19th century. This may be the plan that was given in 1842 to the newly formed Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane, forerunner of the College.
London: Bethlem: sketches, one signed HS Tuke, of mediaeval hospital.

London: Bethlem: engravings and one photograph (copyright RSM) of the second hospital, 1676 to 1815.
London: Bethlem: engravings and modern card of the third hospital, 1815 to 1930; newspaper cuttings and pictures from The Illustrated London News, 1860; photograph of the workroom, c1910, probably from The Story of Bethlem Hospital by EG O'Donaghue, Hospital Chaplain; photograph of the exterior, early 20th century, and the interior, c1960; photograph of instruments of restraint.

London: Camberwell House: photograph of grounds, laundry rules and advertisement for entertainment, early 20th century.

London: St Luke's: engravings, early 19th century; extract from Lunacy Commissioners' Report and newspaper pictures, mid 19th century; two photograph of interior, early 20th century; photograph of the West Wing at Woodside Hospital, Muswell Hill, the successor to St Luke's, early 20th century. London: Fountain Hospital, Tooting: photograph of wards and postcard, 1950s.

London: Various asylums, mainly private: pictures, mainly from 19th century newspapers of Baums House, Hoxton; Bridewell; Charing Cross Hospital for Lunatics (sketch plan on tracing paper); Earl's Court House, Old Brompton; Effra House, Brixton; Kensington House, Kensington (photograph of print); Munster House, Fulham; Park House.
Highgate. London and Home Counties: photograph of Cane Hill, Darenth Park and Warley, Horton, Mapperley, St Bernards Ealing and Springfield, possibly taken by N Boast, c1990. Photograph of Cell Barnes, Claybury, Friern, Goodmayes, Harperbury, Hill End, Leytonstone House, Napsbury, Shenley and Woodside, taken by C Priest, 1991.

Middlesex: Colney Hatch: ground plans, pictures and aerial view c1847; newspaper description of opening 1851 and of New Year festival 1853; photograph of fete, 19th century; Friern Hospital magazine centenary issue, 1950; colour transparancies, 1992.

Middlesex: Hanwell: 'Description of the design for a New Lunatic Asylum for the County of Middlesex marked "Dean Swift" 'undated, early 19th century; 'Middlesex Lunatic Asylum Key to the Design, Estimate and Skeleton Models with Comparative Estimates', 1828.
Middlesex: Hanwell: ground plan, section of the well, aerial view and report of 'fancy fair' 1843; plan for second asylum, undated; timetable for clinical visits, 1848.

Middlesex: Hanwell: aerial photograph c1960; photograph of interior, instruments of restraint and patients' wall paintings taken for 150th anniversary, 1981; photograph purchased from the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, 1986.
Middlesex: Shenley: ground plan and aerial view, undated, mid 20th century.
Norfolk: Bethel Hospital, Norwich: photograph of the north front, the foundation stone and Mrs Chapman, early 1960s, all copyright RSM.

Northampton: Northampton Asylum: newspaper report and engraving c1850; postcard of Abingdon Abbey, c1960.

Nottingham: Brook House, Mansfield: newspaper advertisement.

Nottingham: Nottingham Asylum: Fortieth Annual Report, 1851; newspaper report and pictures, c1850; photograph of exterior, interiors and staff c1890.

Nottingham: Saxondale: photograph, c1912 of interiors showing staff at Saxondale, the hospital that replaced the County Asylum in 1902.

Oxfordshire: plans and estimates, engravings and newspaper pictures of the Radcliffe and the Warneford Asylums, c1850.

Rutland: see Leicestershire
Somerset: plans for and description of a proposed pauper lunatic asylum, 19th century; photograph of late 19th century lunatics' ball at Mendip Hospital.

Staffordshire: Coton Hill Asylum: plans from The Builder, advertisement, newspaper cuttings and pictures, mid 19th century.

Suffolk: Colville House Institution for Imbecile Children, Lowestoft: newspaper cutting, mid 19th century.

Surrey: Cane Hill: photograph of the interior and staff, about 1920; poster, 1951; examples of admission sheets, 1898, 1945; notes on coat of arms and names of wards, 1950; colour prints, received 1994.

Surrey: Caterham: description and picture from The Builder, 1868, of proposed asylums for the imbecile poor of the Metropolitan District at Caterham and Leavesden; photograph of aerial view, 1870 (copyright RSM); photograph of ward, c1960.

Surrey: 'New County Lunatic Asylum' plan from Lunacy Commissioners' Report, undated c1860.

Surrey: The Royal Earlswood Institution for Mental Defectives, Redhill: interior and exterior views, 19th and 20th century; descriptive booklets, 1859, 1947 and undated.

Surrey: Horton Epileptic Colony, Epson: plan, 1901.

Surrey: Long Grove Asylum, Epsom: ground plan, photograph of garden, main hall and men's baths, early 20th century.

Surrey: Netherne: aerial views, plan of interior and panorama, undated.

Sussex: Sussex Lunatic Asylum, Hayward's Heath: description from Journal of Mental Science, April 1860 and plans from the Journal of Mental Science, October 1900; photograph c1960.

Sussex: Lady Chichester Hospital, Hove: description from Good Housekeeping, 1950s.
Wiltshire: County Asylum: plans and description, 1852.

Worcestershire: photocopy of Elgar's music for Powick Asylum band, 1880 and related letter, 1991.

Yorkshire: Northallerton: plans for a pauper lunatic asylum, c1820 (not built).

Yorkshire: The Retreat: plans, 1820s and 1830s; view of north front, 1830s; group photograph, probably of the MPA, who met in York to mark the Retreat centenary, 1892; copies, c1960, of photograph of interior and exterior, c1900; copy, 1965, of photograph of staff, 1919; photograph of exterior, c1950.

Yorkshire: West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum: 'Plans, elevations and description of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum lately erected at Wakefield for the West-Riding of Yorkshire'. 2 copies, 1 bound, 1 partly bound, both outsize and stored separately in folder; fifth, eighth and ninth reports of the Director, 1822, 1826 and 1828.

Ireland: Limerick: plans of proposed asylum, early 19th century. Clare: plan and description of asylum, 1864.

Scotland: Crichton Royal, Dumfries: newspaper pictures of exterior, 1839 and undated.

Scotland: Glasgow Royal Lunatic Asylum (Gartnavel): plans and picture of first asylum, application form, all undated, probably early 19th century; newspaper cutting and picture of new building opened 1842.

Scotland: Edinburgh Royal Lunatic Asylum (Morningside): plan of principal floor, undated, mid 19th century.

Wales: Denbigh: North Wales Asylum for the Insane: plans and prints, mid 19th century, one outsize and stored separately in folder.

Wales: Lunatic Asylum, Abergavenny: newspaper cutting and picture from The Builder, mid 19th century.

France: plan with title 'projet d'establishment pour 600 alienes par le Dr Esquirol', early 19th century.

Unidentified: photograph of hospital exterior taken by W Hunt, 1853; modern photograph of hospital on a hill.

Papers of Frederick George Donnan, comprising a long series of general correspondence; eight subject files of correspondence relating to committees and learned societies in which Donnan had a special interest; reports, speeches and obituaries by Donnan; diplomas and degree certificates; photograph album; miscellaneous material.

Records of the Camden Society comprising: minutes of the Camden Society 1838-1897 (6 vols); and index to minute books, 1870 (1 vol); Secretary's correspondence files, 1867-1897 (19 files); secretary's correspondence notebook, 1891 (1 vol); miscellaneous file with list of members, 1858-1861 (1 file); letter book, 1872-1875 (1 vol); subscriptions 1869-1880 (1 vol); Candidates and admissions register 1839-1896 (1 vol); printed report of the Camden Society, May 1842 (1 vol); A descriptive catalogue of the works of the Camden Society, John Gough Nichols, Westminster, J B Nichols and sons, 1862 (containing related papers pasted in [1860s-1970s].

Certificates of Election and Candidature for the Royal Society. Early certificates are entirely manuscript, i.e. vols. 1-8 (1731-1840). Printed forms of ordinary certificates appear in volume 9 from November 1839 (candidates elected in 1840); printed forms for 'privileged class' elections were used from 1875, and for Foreign Membership from 1895. Not all certificates represent elected Fellows; a small percentage are for unsuccessful candidates.

Portrait photographs of Fellows of the Royal Society by the Godfrey Argent Studio.

Portrait photographs of Fellows of the Royal Society by companies of Henry Maull, namely: Maull and Polyblank; Maull, Henry and Co; Maull and Co; Maull and Fox.

A collection of medals and tokens, largely scientific awards, but with some miscellaneous items in base and precious metals. The core of the series consists of specimens of the Royal Society's own 15 medals and awards, from the earliest (the Copley Medal 1731) to the most recent (the Gabor Medal 1989). This includes some given to named Fellows and returned to the Society as gifts or bequests. Other items include prizes of foreign scientific academies, and pieces commemorating individual Fellows and Foreign Members.

Original of letters sent to the Royal Society, generally on official business, and usually to Officers or Assistant Secretaries. The collection is effectively in two parts; letters for the period 1800-1899 are bound as 17 volumes; those for 1903-1925 are held unbound in boxes. The full sequence forms a single chronological archive with only occasional gaps, the most notable being the complete absence of the years 1900-1902 and 1920. From 1885, the series may be used in conjunction with the New Letter Books, which contain the corresponding outgoing letters.

Copy letters and notes by Henry Oldenburg, first Secretary of the Royal Society, prefaced by a note on the volume's presentation by James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton.

A collection of eighteenth century letters and papers of Sir Joseph Banks, his family and other contemporary Fellows.

Correspondence, mainly to Martin Folkes on a large variety of subjects, including administrative matters for the Royal Society.

Inspectors' Visitation of the Royal Society Library, 1768-1769 and 1777.

Council Attendance Book of Royal Society.

Correspondence relating to the Royal Grant of Apartments in Somerset House to the Royal Society by King George III including a copy of a memorandum by Albert, the Prince Consort, in 1851.

Papers relating to the International Association of Academies including Generalplan zur Grundung einer internationalen Association der Akademien, 1899; Statuten der internationalen Assoziation der Akademien, 9-10 October 1899; Letter from J Larmor, Secretary of the Royal Society, to the President of the Council of the International Association of Academies, Imperial Academy of Sciences, Vienna 21 December 1905; Letter from Chevalier Edm. Marchal, Secretaire perpetuel de l'Academie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, 16 May 1905; Letter from Robert Harrison, Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society to The President, Kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, 14 February 1906; Letter from J Gollancz, Secretary of the British Academy to Professor Victor von Lang, 26 February 1906; Letter from Robert Harrison to Professor Arthur Schuster FRS, 16 March 1906; Minutes of first sitting of General Assembly of the International Association of Academies, 29 May 1906; Minutes of the Committee meeting held on, 1 June 1906.

Copies of outgoing letters from the President, Officers and Assistant Secretaries. Each page may contain up to four copied documents. Volumes are numbered 1-73 with an additional volume for the period January 1901-November 1904.

A series of (generally) printed material relating to, and commenting on, the Society's activities. The press cuttings and scrap books contain cuttings from newspapers interspersed with other printed matter, and occasionally items of manuscripts. The remaining volumes are concerned with particular events or subjects, such as 'HMS Challenger 1872-1895' or 'National Antarctic Expedition 1899-1904'. There are three types of volumes; the first volume is for the years 1846-1876, but therafter two types of book were kept;

a) biographical - 12 volumes, 1872-1910

b) general, 10 volumes 1885-1910.

These were discontinued for a short period, then merged: 36 volumes, 1918-1976. Thereafter newscuttings were photocopied and kept in monthly bundles.

The Register Books exist in Original and Copy form. The Register Book contains copies of scientific papers submitted to the Society - the original documents may be found in the Classified Papers series. The papers were transcribed to establish their precedence for a particular discovery or idea. It follows that not all communications to the Society were registered in this manner, but only those judged to contain some significant material.

Papers relating to the foundation, early history, Charter and seal and meetings of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), 1830-1973, including Prospectus for the establishment of the London Geographical Institution, 4 May 1830; booklet containing printed prospectus, list of members, regulations and note on the Royal Premium of the RGS, 1831; minutes of RGS meetings 24 and 26 May 1830; histories of the RGS; list of RGS members, 1830; report entitled 'The RGS: a report on the state of the Society', 10 Jun 1833; paper by J R Jackson entitled 'Regarding the labours of the RGS, by a member', 1837; Charter of the RGS; drawings and correspondence relating to the RGS's seal, 1859; minutes of the Special General Meeting, 20 Jun 1863; papers relating to anniversary events and conversaziones, 1855-1930; tabular statement on the number of Fellows, 1908-1916; visitor's books, 1831-1973 and press cuttings.

Papers relating to the Royal Geographical Society’s 150th anniversary, 1980, including printed circulars, correspondence, plans for events, committee notes, publications, script and cassette of radio programme and letter signed by the Duke of Kent, Honorary President of the RGS for use as a foreword in the appeal for funds.

Papers relating to the Royal Geographical Society Map Room, Library and Drawing Office, 1856-1973, including Map Room reports, 1856-1959; Map Room accounts, 1933-1967; Library reports, 1913-1958; memoranda; correspondence; proofs of maps, memorandum on photograph room and lantern slides catalogue, 1913-1914; catalogue of photograph collection, 1869-1920; and papers and correspondence relating to the committee on map storage, 1954.

Papers relating to the Royal Geographical Society awards, [1831]-1894, including draft of subject for Royal Premium, [1831]; notes and sketch of proposed medal; memorandum and minutes of the committee 'to consider of a Royal medal', 1836; report by J R Jackson entitled 'Observations regarding the principle of adjudication of the medals of the RGS', 2 May 1840; Committee report on candidates, 1840; resolutions and notes on the annual award of the Royal Premium, 14 Mar 1853; note on minor awards, 1894; memorandum on medals and awards, 7 May 1856 and list of Trust Funds or funds for special purposes.

Papers relating to Royal Geographical Society staff, appointments and duties including duties in the Second World War, including correspondence; papers relating to the appointment of the Secretary, 1840-1945; applications for positions; duties of positions including the Map Curator, 1877, the Map Draughtsman, 1877 and House Staff, 1932; pay sheets, 1880-1893; reports on staff salaries, pensions and reorganization; log book of deaths resignations and defaulters, 1895-1916; staff book, 1945-1946; staff signing in books; papers on wages and salaries; papers relating to Second World War duties including air raid precautions and firefighting instructions and firewatcher's logbooks.

Royal Geographical Society Council and committee minute books and agendas including Council minute books, 1830-1975; committee minute books, 1841-1990; Council agenda notebooks, 1832-1873 and committee agenda notebooks, 1834-1858.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block 1830-1833 consists of correspondence with the Society in the first four years after its foundation. The letters cover administrative matters as well as all aspects of Geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include John Arrowsmith, Sir George Back, Friedrich Bialloblotsky, Robert Fitzroy, William Richard Hamilton, Baron Alexander von Humboldt, Alexander Maconochie, William Marsden, Paris Geographical Society, Dr John Richardson and Robert Hermann Schomburgk.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1941-1946, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Prof Hans Ahlmann, William G V Balchin, Miss Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, Francis Chichester, Augustine Courtauld, Charles Frederick Arden-Close, Thomas Walter Freeman, Rupert Thomas Gould, Edward Heawood, Arthur R Hinks, Thomas Henry Manning, Einar Mikkelsen, Prof Eva Germaine Rimington Taylor, Prof James Alfred Steers, Sir Mark Aurel Stein, Frank Sydney Smythe, James Mann Wordie, the War Office, United Nations, K S Sandford, Scott Polar Research Institute, Wilfred Thesiger and the Ordnance Survey.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1861-1870, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include Charles T Beke, William Bollaert, Richard Francis Burton, John Thomas Baines, Ney Elias, Col Sir George Everest, Francis Galton, Joseph Dalton Hooker, Dr John Kirk, Clements R Markham, John Petherick and the Zoological Society.

Royal Geographical Society Correspondence Block, 1921-1930, consists of correspondence with the Society covering administrative matters as well as all aspects of geography and exploration throughout the world. These files contain incoming letters only, replies are held separately in the out-letter books. Authors include the Alpine Club, Charles Frederick Arden-Close, John Baddeley, Brig R A Bagnold, Dr John Ball, Louis Charles Bernacchi, Brig Gen Clarence Dalrymple Bruce, Commader Richard Evelyn Byrd, Sir Douglas Carruthers, Gertrude Caton-Thompson, Maj Robert Ernest Cheesman, Augustine Courtauld, Sir Percy Cox, Frank Debenham, George Miller Dyott, Lincoln Ellsworth, Filippi de Filippo, Rosita Forbes, Sir George Fordham, Sir Douglas William Freshfield, Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston, William Joseph Harding King, Dr Tom George Longstaff, Halford J Mackinder, Sir Douglas Mawson, Dr Hugh Robert Mill, Fridtjof Nansen, Mrs Wilhelmina Ness, Edward Felix Norton, Noel Ewart Odell, Harry St John Philby, A Hamilton Rice, Hugh Ruttledge, Frank S Smythe, Michael A Spender, Prof James Alfred Steers, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Sir Mark Aurel Stein, Sir Percy M Sykes, Prof Eva G R Taylor, Bertram Thomas, Frank Kingdon Ward, James Mann Wordie, Sir Francis Younghusband and Henry Gino Watkins.

A collection of articles and letters sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals. This material covers all aspects of geography and exploration across the globe. This includes material from some of the most celebrated 19th and early 20th Century explorations, throughout the World. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Southern Asia, including India, Afghanistan and Tibet, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Japan, including small off-shore islands, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1839-1951. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to New Zealand, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1838-1946. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to the islands of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, including West New Guinea, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1830-1952. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Articles and letters by various authors relating to Central Asia, including Asiatic Russia, Mongolia and Sinkiang, sent to the Royal Geographical Society for publication in its Journals, 1836-1947. The articles were often sent to referees and their reports are often to be found with the article, in some cases the referee report has been retained even though the article has been returned to the author.

Minute book of the Syrian Society, 1805-1808; letters to and from W R Hamilton concerning Joseph Marpurg, Joseph Hammer and others; draft of resolution of disbandment of the Association and the transfer of its assets to the Royal Georaphical Society, 1834.

Papers of Professor Sir William Hunter McCrea, 1890-2004, comprise 10 sections, A-J. Section A: Biographical, presents significant material relating to McCrea's education and career, honours and awards. There are obituaries, interviews and biographical and autobiographical writings. The autobiographical writings consider some of his principal areas of research activity such as 'statistical physics', 'quantum physics', 'Dirac's Large Number hypothesis (LNh) and cosmology', 'solar system problems' and 'Relativity'. Of especial interest for the beginning of his career are the folders of notes made and the 37 notebooks kept by him as an undergraduate and research student at Trinity College Cambridge, 1923-1929, including the period at Göttingen in 1928-1929. Amongst the lecturers and topics represented are P.A.M. Dirac (Modern Quantum Mechanics), A.S. Eddington (Stellar Astronomy), R.H. Fowler (Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory of Gases), D.R. Hartree (Physics of the Quantum Theory), H. Jeffreys (Operational Methods), J.E. Littlewood (Analysis Theory of Series) and F.J.M. Stratton (Stellar Physics). Also presented here are a series of 'personal' scrapbooks beginning with no. 3 '1960-1967 with a few earlier items' and continuing to the end of his life with no.17 '1993-1997'. The scrapbooks document McCrea's career in photographs, newspaper cuttings, programmes of meetings, invitation cards, table plans, etc. A series of seven 'general' scrapbooks cover the period 1960-1997 and contain principally press-cuttings, especially obituaries. There is also a great deal of other personal memorabilia in the form of invitation cards, programmes, menu cards, seating plans and similar. Many relate to academic occasions, especially in the University of London or scientific occasions, for example at the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society. Section B, University Career, documents a succession of university positions at Edinburgh, Imperial College London, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Holloway University of London and University of Sussex. There is correspondence relating to his early career at Imperial and Belfast, 1934-1944, correspondence and papers relating to Royal Holloway including the Mathematics Department and continuing after his departure for Sussex, 1945-1984, while the Sussex material documents, amongst other matters, aspects of the work of the Astronomy Centre, 1966-1989. However, the largest group of university material relates to McCrea's teaching which is a particularly valuable record for the earlier part of his career at Edinburgh, Imperial and Belfast and continues at Royal Holloway. There is also teaching material for a number of his Visiting Professorships: University of California, Berkeley in 1956 and 1967 and Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio in 1964. Also presented here are McCrea's notes on the university teaching of others (subsequent to his own undergraduate and postgraduate education), including E.T. Whittaker and C.G. Darwin at Edinburgh and J. Todd at Belfast.

Section C, Research, is predominantly the contents of McCrea's titled folders which may include manuscript working, drafts, correspondence and off-prints. The folders cover an extended period from 1928 to the 1980s and are presented in chronological order as far as possible. Folder topics include, amongst many others, relativity, 'Milne Theory', stellar models, interstellar molecules and continual creation. Folder titles may also indicate an association with the work of collaborators, for example 'Kermack - McCrea Problems' in the 1930s, and with that of research students, especially at Royal Holloway. Some of the folders contained drafts for identifiable publications and lectures and assignment amongst the sections of the catalogue was not straightforward. Section D, Publications, presents a major chronological sequence of drafts and related material for McCrea's publications, covering the exceptionally long period of seventy years, 1928-1997. The non-availability of a reliable bibliography of McCrea's publications, especially for the period after 1970, meant that the designation of drafts as intended for publication was sometimes tentative. A separate sequence of reviews by McCrea covers the period 1949-1995. Publications correspondence documents McCrea in a number of advisory roles including journal editor. The largest group of papers relates to the Cambridge University Press, 1964-1991 where McCrea was an editor of the Press's General Relativity series and of the Cambridge Monographs on Mathematical Physics from the conception of the series in 1972. Correspondents include fellow editor D.W. Sciama. Of particular interest is a much shorter sequence of correspondence and papers relating to The Observatory Magazine. McCrea became an editor in 1935 and is referred to as a former editor in 1939. Correspondents include fellow editor R.v.d.R. Woolley and contributors S. Chandrasekhar, T.G. Cowling and E.A. Milne, and offering a paper 'as an outsider' J.B.S. Haldane. Section E, Lectures, presents a major chronological sequence of drafts and related material for McCrea's public and invitation lectures, 1931-1993. The sequence documents the great variety of topics on which McCrea talked and the range of his audiences in Britain and overseas from Oslo in 1936 to Brioni, Croatia in 1990. Also presented here are a small group of lectures by other scientists including a notebook used for McCrea's notes of lectures by A.C. Aitkin, W.O. Kermack and E.T. Whittaker, possibly at an occasion at Queen's University Belfast while McCrea was professor there, and a duplicated typescript copy of a lecture on the meaning of wave mechanics given by Erwin Schrödinger in Dublin in 1952.

Section F, Societies and organisations, presents records of McCrea's association with twenty-five UK and international organisations including the British Association, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, a proposed UK Institute for Theoretical Astronomy, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO), Royal Society and the UK Science Research Council (SRC) / Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC). McCrea's British Association papers cover an extended period 1934-1983 including an early period from 1934 to the beginning of the Second World War when he was involved in various capacities with the work of the Committee of Section A (Mathematical and Physical Sciences). Although the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies material covers a very short period 1940-1942, this represents the founding of the Institute. McCrea was a member of the Governing Board of the School of Theoretical Physics from 31 October 1940. There is significant documentation of the proposed UK Institute for Theoretical Astronomy, 1960-1966, possible locations being Cambridge (its eventual home) and Brighton. McCrea was a member (later Chairman) of the Subcommittee of the British National Committee for Astronomy which considered the proposed Institute. IAU papers principally relate to its general assemblies and symposia, 1955-1988, the 1935 Paris General Assembly being represented by historical reflections written by McCrea in 1988. McCrea's long association with the Royal Astronomical Society is documented by one of the largest components of the archive. There is a good record in correspondence and other papers of his Presidency, 1961-1963 and of the RAS Club, of which McCrea was President for many years. The most substantial group of RAS papers relates to the history of the Society, McCrea contributing a chapter on the 1930s in the second volume of its history (published 1987) covering the period, 1920-1980. McCrea also had a very long association with the Royal Greenwich Observatory which is extensively documented. There are records of the Admiralty Board of Visitors and its successor, the SRC RGO Committee and of the celebrations of the RGO Tercentenary (1675-1975) in which McCrea took a leading role. He prepared an historical review of the Observatory which was published by the HMSO in 1975, gave a number of papers on the RGO's history and wrote an article for the tercentenary exhibition catalogue. The most significant of his RGO papers, however, are probably those which relate to the decision of the SERC to move the RGO from Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex. McCrea was a very active campaigner against the move. He corresponded with politicians and colleagues and a number of colleagues copied their letters to him. He also wrote on a number of occasions to The Times which published an article by him on 23 April 1986. He attended a meeting of Fellows at the Royal Society, 23 May 1986, and a meeting convened by Patrick Moore, 6 June 1986, to express and to co-ordinate opinions that opposed the SERC's decision. Records of McCrea's Royal Society committee service illuminate developments in British astronomy and space science in the decades following the Second World War. There are also papers relating to two discussion meetings he helped organise: the origin and early evolution of the galaxies in 1979 and the constants of physics in 1983. Finally, McCrea's SRC / SERC material, 1966-1985, provides further documentation relating to British astronomy and space science and the future of the RGO.

Section G, Visits and conferences, provides a useful but incomplete record of McCrea's travel in the UK and overseas to attend all kinds of scientific meetings and conferences. The papers cover the period 1954-1989 and include his Visiting Professorships at University of California, Berkeley in 1956 and 1967, University of Cairo in 1973 and University of Otago, Dunedin, in 1979 and his visits as Royal Society Exchange Visitor to the USSR in 1960 and 1968 and to Egypt in 1981. He was a regular visitor to the University of Liege, Belgium to attend international astrophysical symposia and to the USA to attend Texas Symposia on relativistic astrophysics. Meetings held under IAU and Royal Society auspices are also to be found in Section F. Section H, History of science and scientific biography, represents a major interest and commitment of McCrea. He wrote and lectured on historical and biographical aspects of areas of his scientific interest, especially associated with major anniversaries. He also wrote many obituaries and the Royal Society biographical memoirs of H.H. Plaskett and R.v.d.R. Woolley. There are particularly large accumulations of material relating to Einstein, R.H. Fowler, E.A. Milne, Plaskett, E. Schrödinger and Woolley. Records of his principal historical writing on the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Greenwich Observatory are to be found in Section F.

Section J, Correspondence, is extensive and important and is presented in a number of alphabetical and chronological series suggested by McCrea's own arrangement. It covers the period 1942-1996. There is correspondence with colleagues and others relating to all aspects of his work including research, publications, lectures and visits and conferences. There are many examples of correspondence and papers from members of the public and amateur scientists on such topics as cosmology and relativity theory. Furthermore, there is significant correspondence in other parts of the archive, for example in association with his publications work and his professional affiliations with scientific societies and organisations. Taking the archive as a whole, there is correspondence of note with most of the major scientific figures in his areas of interest and the following list of principal correspondents is therefore highly selective: H. Bondi, S. Chandrasekhar, T.G. Cowling, H. Dingle, J.A. Jacobs, A.C.B. Lovell, R.A. Lyttleton, S.K. Runcorn, D.W. Sciama, J.L. Synge, R.J. Tayler, A. Unsöld, G.J. Whitrow, A.W. Wolfendale and R. v.d.R. Woolley.

Records of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' European Committee, 1991-1998, comprising agenda, minutes and papers of the Committee.

Records of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' Guidelines and Audit Committee, 2000-2004, comprising minutes, agenda and circulated papers; clinical governance and consent advice publications.

Records of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' Continuing Medical Education Committee, 1992-1998, comprising minutes, agendas and circulated papers.

Records of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' Equivalence of Training Committee, 2005-2008, comprising committee files including agendas, circulated papers and associated correspondence, including decisions about recommendations on individual doctor's applications to the Specialist Register.

The papers of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies consists of the monthly journal of SALS Amicus Curiae ("Friend of the Court"), Oct 1997-April 1999. At present no information is available on the extent, content and accessibility of the administrative records of SALS or its predecessor.

Papers of John Vaughan-Morgan, Baron Reigate, including correspondence, personal papers, family papers, including relating to his family history, photographs (some from the 1890s), press cuttings, and financial papers (including valuations of antiques, paintings, etc).

Typescript papers, 1943-1945, comprising Dr B Ifor Evans's copies of working papers of the Commission of Enquiry into the Facilities for Oriental, Slavonic, East European and African Studies, including minutes of meetings, correspondence and other administrative papers, questionnaires completed by institutions including universities and learned societies in the UK and overseas, evidence submitted by various individuals, and draft report of findings sent to Ernest Bevin (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs).

Lists of lectures delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain.

Minute books of the City of London Elocution Society and the City of London Discussion Society, later merged as the City of London Discussion and Literary Society.

Biographical material includes the draft of Mourant's autobiography, Blood and Stones published after his death in 1995, together with the correspondence and papers Mourant assembled while writing it. There is also documentation of Mourant's education at Victoria College Jersey and at Exeter College Oxford. The latter includes notes on lectures 1922 - ca 1926. Documentation of Mourant's career, honours and awards is patchy, although there is material relating to his search for employment in the early 1930s. There are pocket diaries spanning 1915-1982, with a fairly continuous sequence 1922-1961. Biographical material also includes extensive family and personal correspondence, much of which dates from or relates to the German occupation of Jersey or shortly thereafter. Mourant's other documented interests include his membership of the Methodist Church and his political affiliations, the League of Nations Union in particular.

There is a little material relating to Mourant's early career with the Geological Survey 1929-1931, miscellaneous material relating to Mourant's service with the MRC's Blood Group Reference Laboratory at the Lister Institute and the Nuffield (later Anthropological) Blood Group Centre at the Royal Anthropological Institute, London, and more extensive but uneven coverage of the Serological Population Genetics Laboratory. Although there is some documentation of the foundation of the Laboratory 1964-1965 and of its staff, the surviving material consists chiefly of correspondence and papers relating to Mourant's largely successful efforts to find continued funding for the Laboratory 1969-1977. Haematological research material, though not extensive, covers Mourant's work in a number of areas from research on blood serum in the mid-1940s to the mapping of blood groups in the 1960s and 1970s. There are early research notes, correspondence and papers relating to student and other expeditions undertaking blood group and physical anthropology research and some MRC material assembled by Mourant relating to projects in which he had an interest. The largest group of research papers, however, is maps and data produced during preparation of the second edition of The Distribution of the Human Blood Groups. There is a chronological sequence of drafts and correspondence relating to Mourant's publications, 1929-1991, with extensive material relating to editions of The Distribution of the Human Blood Groups and to The Genetics of the Jews (1978). There is also editorial correspondence relating to publishers and journals, chiefly invitations to review books or referee papers and an incomplete set of offprints. There is correspondence and papers relating to some of Mourant's lectures and broadcasts, most notably the lectures on blood groups given at the Collège de France, Toulouse, 1978-1979. Societies and organisations material is not extensive, and is confined to brief documentation of only a few of the societies and organisations with which Mourant was associated. It includes professional and geological bodies as well as haematological, biological and medical organisations. Visits and conferences material covers the period 1960-1987. It is not comprehensive, though there is also considerable documentation of Mourant's visits and conferences in the papers he assembled in the course of preparing his biography and with lectures material. Mourant's correspondence is extensive. Its complexity reflects Mourant's organisation of the material, the bulk of which was found in three main series: 'Foreign 1965-1977', 'Biological' and 'Geological', together with a fragment of a fourth series 'Home 1965-1977'. Principal correspondents include C.C. Blackwell, B. Bonné, O.J. Brendemoen, V.A. Clarke, L.L. Cavalli-Sforza, A. W. Eriksson, T.J. Greenwalt, J.K. Moor-Jankowski, T. Jenkins, W.S. Pollitzer, D.F. Roberts, J. Ruffié, D. Tills and J.S. Weiner.

A1 Ethnological Society of London Council Minutes, 2 Jan 1844-1826, Jan 1869; A2 Ethnological Society of London List of members elected, 1844, 1846, 1868-1871; A3 Anthropological Society of London Council Minutes, 1863-1871; A4 Anthropological Society of London Ordinary Meetings - Minutes, 24 Feb 1863-1831, Jan 1871; A5 Anthropological Society of London Office: Letters to the Society, 1865-1866, [1 Jan 1867], A-D, G-S (incomplete); A6 Anthropological Society of London Finance: Membership subscription ledgers, 1863-1872; A7 Anthropological Society of London: Finance: Receipted accounts, Jan 1863-Dec 1866; A8 Anthropological Society of London: Reports on papers submitted to the Anthropological Review, 1866-1867; A8 Anthropological Society of London Supplements: Miscellaneous addresses, lists, and circulars published by the Society, 1863-1868; A9 Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland: Journal: Record of papers submitted to the Journal, including date of receipt, 1871-1952.

Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) series comprising: A10 RAI Council Minutes, 1871-2007; A11 RAI Executive Committee Minutes, 17 Apr 1900-1931, May 1961; A12 RAI Ordinary meetings: Minutes, 1871-1935; A13 RAI Council: Meeting attendance books, 6 Mar 1871-2007; A14 RAI Ordinary meetings: Attendance books, 1892-1987; A15 RAI Finance: Receipts and payments, 1880-1958; A16 RAI Finance: Petty cash expenses, 15 Aug 1879-4 Aug 1900; A17 RAI Library Committee Minutes, 23 June 1891-19 Nov 1981; A18 RAI General Correspondence (office day-to-day), 1871-1968; A19 RAI: Daily attendance of members and visitors, 1 Nov 1881-20 Oct 1908; A20 RAI Finance: Fellowship subscriptions, 1881-1885, 1910-1958; A21 Predynastic Research Committee: Papers and correspondence on the Fayum and Kharga Oasis Expeditions, 1927-1976; A22 Anthropological Survey Committee: report by Northcote W Thomas in the Central Province of Southern Nigeria, 1910; A23 Human Biology Research Committee: Minutes, 8 Jan 1932-1924, Apr 1934; A24 Rivers Memorial Fund: History, minutes, correspondence and other papers, 1922-1954.

A25 RAI Journal: Reports of referees on papers, 28 Mar 1893-12 May 1938; A26 India Research Committee Minutes, 18 Mar 1931-6 July 1932; A27 RAI: Finance: Nominal ledgers of expenditure and receipts, 1915-1970; A28 Man: Subscribers to Man, 1901-1953; A29 Man. Finance, 1906-1916; A30 RAI: Register of the despatch of the Journal, 1894-1899; A31 Ethnological Society, Anthropological Society, and RAI membership (Fellowship) lists, 1869-1955, 1995-2007.

A32 Library: Register of books presented, 1880-1885, 1919-1941, 1950-1972; A33 James Cowles Prichard Centenary, 1948; A34 Local Correspondents, 1933-1942; A35 Exhibition of Colonial Art, 1949; A36 British Association: Committee to Organise Anthropometric Investigation in the British Isles: minutes and diary, 12 Sep 1902 - 7 Sep 1908; A37 Ways and Means Committee: Minutes, 23 July 1945-4 Mar 1953; A38 RAI: Finance: passbooks, 1920-1941; A39 Notes and queries on anthropology, Sixth edition, 1951; A40 Royal Society Tercentenary, 1960; A41 Herbert Spencer Trust, 1916-1937; A42 Featherman, Americanus Bequest, 1903-1921; A43 Applied anthropology, 1928-1939.

A44 Leases: Premises, maintenance, 1909-1947; A45 Centenaries and RAI history, 1943-2007; A46 Finance Committee, 1974-1983; A47 Leakey, Louis Seymour Bazett: Correspondence and papers on human remains from Kanam and Kanjera, Kenya, 1931-1932; A48 RAI Library Committee: Meeting attendance, 1894-1948; 1971-19 Nov 1981; A49 Library catalogues, 1882-1967; A50 Co-operative Housing Schemes, 1914-1961; A51 Library Administration, 1914-1976; A52 Conference on problems and prospects of European archaeology, 1944; A53 Autograph letters; A54 Keith, Sir Arthur: Correspondence, 1949; A55 Truganini: Correspondence with the Tasmanian Museum, 1954; A56 Imperial Bureau of Anthropology, [1908-1911]; A57 Friends of the RAI: Committee for Liaison with the Friends, Committee on Anthropology in Industry, 1947-1961; A58 British Joint Committee for Anthropological Teaching and Research: Letters, minutes and papers, 1914-1963; A59 British Ethnography Committee Minutes, 1948-1957, 1969; A60 Dining Club, Sherry Club, Garden Party, Strawberry Teas, 1930-1977.

A61 Swanscombe Committee, 1936-1964; A62 Congrès international des Sciences anthropologiques et ethnologiques: Correspondence, papers, and minutes, 1912-1934, 1937-1939; A63 Fellows' application forms, 1901-1965; A64 Americanist Congress, 1912-1955; A65 International Congress of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences, 1931-1933; A66 Emslie Horniman Anthropological Scholarship Fund, 1944-2007; A67 Graig-Lwyd Excavation Committee, Expenditure, 1920; A68 Hornell, James, and Huxley Memorial Lecture, 1948-1949; A69 Fawcett papers, 1951-1961.

A70 RAI Museum Collection; A71 Census of British Anthropologists, 1940; A72 Library: Accession of books and pamphlets, 1891-1950; A73 William of Gloucester, HRH Prince, 1972-1973; A74 Library: catalogue arranged by the classification of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature, 1898-1919; A75 Committee for the Study of Beads, minutes, 3 Mar 1960-16 May 1961; A76 Standing Committee, Minutes, 1961-1978 [temporary entry]; A77 Publications Committee Minutes, 1961-1970 [temporary entry]; A78 Ethnographic Film Committee Minutes, 1957-1983; A79 Ethnomusicology Committee Minutes, correspondence and papers, 1953-1972; A80 Extraordinary General Meeting on Library transfer, 24 June 1976; A81 Committee on the export of works of art (Waverley Committee), 1951-1953; A82 Seligman Centenary symposium, 1973.

A83 Press cuttings (general); A84 Library: Register of negatives, prints and slides, 1897; A85 Education Committee Minutes, 1974-1985 [temporary entry]; A86 Percy Amaury Talbot Prize for African Anthropology, 1947-2007; A87 International Conference on African Children, 1929-1931; A88 Wellcome Medal for Research in Anthropology as Applied to Medical Problems, 1931-2007; A89 Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee, 1947-1971; A90 Metallurgy and Archaeology Conference, 1963; A91 Blood Group Committee, 1951-1972; A92 Congrès international des Sciences anthropologiques et ethnologiques, 1938-1960; A93 Conseil Permanent, 1934-1954; A94 RAI Membership (Fellowship) Correspondence, 1923-1975; A95 Honorary Officers Correspondence, 1934-2007; A96 Man and the Journal editorial(not yet catalogued); A97 Corporate Membership, 1948-1950; A98 Mankind Quarterly, 1960-1965; A99 Christmas cards, 1953-1962; A100 Companies Act, articles of association, by-laws, and regulations, 1871-2007; A101 Association copies and other related books; A102 Ephemera, 1926-2007; A103 Burton Library, 1954-1986; A104 Library visitors' book, 1950-1976; A105 Manuscript and House Archives Collections (Donors), 1936-2007; A106 British Committee for the Standardisation of Anthropometric Techniques, 1932-1960; A107 Anthropometric Survey of Great Britain, 1934-1935; A108 RAI Officers' Meetings, 1945-1961; A109 Scottish Anthropological and Folklore Society, 1934-1937; A110 Committee on Honours and Awards; A111 Aborigines' Protection Society, 1839-1909; A112 Ethnological Society publications, 1848-1870; A113 Anthropological Society publications, 1863-1871; A114 RAI publications, 1871-2007; A115 Huxley Memorial Lectures, 1940-2007; A116 RAI Annual General Meeting minutes, 1968-2001; A117 Radcliffe Brown Memorial Fund for Social Anthropological Research, 1962-2007; A118 Man T-shirts, 1981-1992; A119 British Somaliland Archaeology Ethiopia Committee, 1946-1954; A120 Exhibition Committee; A121 Arthur Maurice Hocart Memorial Prize; A122 RAI Local Branches; A123 RAI Editorial Committee for the JRAI, 1937-1951; A124 Presidency Committee.

Papers of J R Edmonds, 1895-1917, comprising typescripts of papers read before Woolwich Polytechnic Engineering Society, on 'Pumps', 1896; 'The Slide Rule', 1898; 'Steam Turbines', 1903; notes on 'Motor Cars', 1896, 'Florence Nightingale', 1913; 'Women's Co-Operative Guild', [c 1905]; printed lectures on Experiments on a Simple Non-Condensing Steam Engine, 1900; De Laval Steam Turbines, 1902; Design of Marine Steam Turbines, 1908; Channel Tunnel, 1913, 1917.

Records, 1986-2001 (some gaps), of the History of Anaesthesia Society, comprising its Proceedings and conference papers.

Papers, c1914-1989, of Dame Kathleen Lonsdale.

Biographical material includes correspondence and papers relating to imprisonment in Holloway Prison, with Lonsdale's own accounts of her time there; diaries and personal notebooks, 1946-1969; letters of congratulation on election as Fellow of the Royal Society (1945); various photographs dating from school to her later years.

Papers relating to Lonsdale's teaching and administrative work at University College London include papers on teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses; significant documentation relating to laboratory personnel, research funding and general university administration; papers relating to the 'Round Table on Peace Studies', which proposed the establishment of a centre for research into international conflict at the University.

Research material, 1924-1970, consists of Royal Institution papers comprising notebooks, one dating from Lonsdale's first period there (1923-1927), correspondence with colleagues such as W H Bragg and J M Robertson, and Lonsdale's notes and drafts for various research topics; correspondence and papers from her University College years covering many different areas of research, including diffuse scattering of X-rays, thermal vibrations in crystals, methonium compounds and urinary calculi (the latter topic particularly well documented and including several case studies), and including a large group of photographs, mostly of X-ray diffraction patterns.

Papers on the preparation of volumes of the International Tables for crystal structure determination from Lonsdale's chairmanship of the Commission on Tables (1948) comprise drafts, notes and correspondence with colleagues and publishers.

Extensive papers relating to publications, lectures and broadcasts include drafts of articles, on subjects including peace and religious issues, also including obituaries and biographical articles on various individuals, books, book reviews, obituaries, and letters to newspapers and magazines, the latter principally on the issue of atomic weapons; general correspondence concerning publications; drafts of lectures, 1945-1970, including ethics and the role of science in society; a large series of lecture notes, 1933-1970; scripts for broadcasts, on topics ranging from crystallography to religion, 1945-1967.

Papers on foreign and domestic travel, 1943-1971, relating to conferences and lectures, on crystallography, science ethics, and work for the Society of Friends, including her visit to China (1955) and her world tour (1965).

Papers relating to organisations, notably the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) and the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), including material relating to a number of International Congresses of Crystallography, also papers relating to participation in Pugwash Conferences on World Affairs, 1958-1970, and papers concerning prison reform and the running of Bullwood Hall Borstal, Essex.

Correspondence, 1927-1974, comprises two main sequences, one arranged alphabetically, the other chronologically; 'day files', principally carbons of outgoing correspondence, 1966-1969; a sequence of references and recommendations; also including correspondence relating to Lonsdale's period of imprisonment (1943). Correspondents include scientists such as Max Born, W H Bragg, W L Bragg, E G Cox, Dorothy Hodgkin, Judith Milledge, L C Pauling and A J C Wilson.