The archive spans Browne's career from school onwards, but the core series of records focus on his work as a medical missionary at the BMS hospital in Yakusu, Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Section B comprises records for the period 1938-1958, including registers of leprosy sufferers, case records and photograph albums documenting various symptoms. Section K contains further photographs (mainly clinical) for the period 1938-1977, the most important series of which dates from Browne's time at the Baptist Mission Hospital and comprises over 900 negatives and prints together with supporting documentation, 1954-1958.

Section C contains a small number of files compiled by Browne during his research into leprosy, yaws, onchocerciasis and ainhum, 1946-1983. Particularly notable are the files on the anti-leprosy drug B663 (now known as clofazimine), into the use of which Browne conducted pioneering studies whilst director of the Leprosy Research Unit, Uzuakoli, Eastern Nigeria, 1959-1966.The remaining records comprise personal and biographical material, 1923-1985 (section A); general subject files containing correspondence, reprints etc. on a wide variety of topics, 1948-1986 (section D); writings by Browne, 1935-1985 (section E); records of Browne's involvement with the International Leprosy Association, 1909-1985 (section F) and various other organisations, 1959-1986 (section G); records on foreign visits, 1965-1985 (section H); and a few files on religious matters, 1959-1984 (section J).

Papers of Francis Alphonsus Bourne as Archbishop of Westminster, [1903-1935], including material on the Holy See; Bishop's conferences; synods; religious orders; Vicars General and Chaplaincies; Papal Encyclicals; ecclesiastical and diocesan matters; moral, social and political issues; ecumenicalism; media, communications and publications; foreign countries; national and international institutions; government; embassies; hospitals; trusts, foundations and communities; lectures; homilies; patronages; personal correspondence; staff; invitations; education bills; visits; finance; St Edmund's College, Ware; missions, including in Austria, Germany and India and boy scouts and girl guides.

Papers of the Westminster chapter of the Catholic Evidence Guild, 1918-2007, including minutes of the Inter Guild Conferences, 1928-1986; minutes of the Westminster Catholic Evidence Guild, Oct 1920-Sep 1986; minutes of the practical training committee, 24 May 1929-Jun 1939 and 19 Jul 1941; library records, May 1964-1981; photograph albums and loose photographs; press cuttings, 1925-1926; book: The Catholic Evidence Movement, by Henry Browne, (London, 1921); report of the Westminster meeting, 1918; Birmingham Guild handbook, 1921; Inter Guild conference handbooks, 1924-1972; 'The Guildsman' and 'Guild Newsletter', Jun 1972-2007.

Papers of the Catholic Missionary Society (CMS), 1910-2001, including the journal of the CMS, Catholic Gazette, 1910-2001; financial accounts, 1995-1999; photographs; a history of the CMS; correspondence regarding the CMS to act as relaters for Christian Unity Dialogue; Catholic Enquiry Centre legacies, 1987-1995; Catholic Enquiry Centre correspondence; papers relating to Missionary Priests; minutes of the CMS, 1979-2001; papers relating to CMS Missions.

Pre-reformation papers and papers of the English Secular Clergy, 1501-1688 and papers of the Vicars Apostolic of the London District, 1688-1847.

The papers chiefly comprise correspondence with the Roman agent; papers relating to Synods; copies of Pastorals; correspondence with Vicars Apostolic and clergy from the Western, Midland and Northern Districts and Scotland; correspondence with Irish Bishops; correspondence with institutions of the English Catholic diaspora; correspondence with Bishops and clergy abroad notably with the Catholic Church in the British colonies; legal papers including wills, bequests, leases and trusts and papers of institutions of the English Catholic diaspora including Douai College, 1652-1789; St Omers College, 1762-1772; the English College Rome, 1701-1783; the English College Lisbon, 1708-1791; the English Seminary Paris (also known as St Gregory's, Paris), 1762-1777 and student register for the English College Lisbon, 1628-1715.

The papers of the Vicars Apostolic of the London District include papers from the episcopacy of Bishop John Leyburn, 1688-1702, Bishop Bonaventure Giffard, 1703-1734; Bishop Benjamin Petre, 1734-1758; Bishop Richard Challoner, 1758-1781; Bishop James Robert Talbot, 1781-1789; Bishop John Douglass, 1791-1798; Bishop William Poynter, 1812-1827; Bishop James Yorke Bramston, 1828-1836 and Bishop Thomas Griffiths, 1836-1847.

Highlights of the collection include: a consultation about the dowry of Catherine of Aragon, c 1509; copy of a letter from Mary Queen of Scots, c 1586; letter from St Henry Walpole to Father Persons, 13 Nov 1593; chart of the Royal succession down to James VI of Scotland as published in Father Persons' book on the succession, 1593; letters of Cardinal William Allen; letter from Father Henry Garnet relating to the Gunpowder Plot, c 1605 and a petition from the Citizens of London to Charles I complaining about Popery, 1640.

Manuscript treatises and follows:

F 1: 'Annales Elizabethae Reginae', by Anthony Champney, 1558-1603. 1 vol. Latin.

F 3: Declaration of the Vicars Apostolic and their Coadjutors in Great Britain in defense of the Catholic faith, 1826. 1 vol. English.

F 4: Treatise from regular leaders (Jesuits or Benedictines) of England, against Richard Smith, Bishop of Chalcedon as part of the approbation controversy entitled 'A survey of the Answere to the Bishop of Chalcedon his letter to the lay Catholics of England sent to him by the heads of three regular orders in England', 1629. 1 vol. English.

F 5: De quimdecim gloriosis Anglia martyribus breuis historia,

ab Henrico Stilo Benedictino, ex Anglico sermone, in Lamu translate, ex me'I ciori ordine collocate.Pro verae virtutis preniys, falsisceleris poenas subimus.
Gislenpopoli. 1 vol. Latin.

F 6: Sixteenth century Commonplace book concerning the reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries. 1 vol. Latin.

F 7: Volume of additions to Charles Butler's Historical Memoirs of the English, Irish and Scottish Roman Catholics, given to the Vicar Apostolic of the London District by Butler, 1822. 1 vol. English.

F 8: Partial transcript of B28: Volume of contemporary catalogues of the English martyrs, 17th century.

F 9: Transcriptions of manuscripts in Series A comprising:

Transcription of 'Collectanea B' or 'Collectanea de martyribus', the collection of Father Christopher Greene, chiefly containing correspondence between Richard Verstegen and Father Person's, 1592-1594. This collection is no longer in the possession of the Westminster Diocesan Archives as it was exchanged with Stonyhurst College in 1921.

Transcription of Shelly's supplication to Queen Elizabeth I, 1585, in Series A, volume 4, p 33.

Transcriptions of papers relating to martyrs from Series A.

F 10: Transcriptions of papers relating to martyrs from Series A. 1 file.

F11-F17: Biographical notes on priests in penal times by Canon Edward Burton, arranged alphabetically. 7 boxes. English.

F18-19: Theological treatises by Jos[eph] Stapleton, eighteenth century. 2 vols. Latin.

F 20: Sermon notes on the Resurrection and other topics. 1 vol. English.

F 21: Two unbound manuscripts: 'The origin, distinction and mutual independence of the Civil and Ecclesiastical Power' by Bishop William Poynter, and 'The Contemplative Solitaire and Spiritual Guide' by Father George of St Joseph. 2 items. English.

Sacramental registers including Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Burial and Death registers and Marriage Bans for parishes and churches and priest's registers, including:

Archbishops' Private Chapel: Confirmation registers, 1854-1901.

Bavarian Chapel, Warwick Street: Baptism registers, 1748 -1909 and

Marriage registers, 1747-1840 and 1856-1922.

Westminster Cathedral: Baptism registers, 1809-1906; Confirmation registers, 1856-1909 and Marriage registers, 1856-1914.

Clerkenwell, SS Peter and Paul: Marriage registers, 1979-1985.

Commercial Rd, SS Mary and Michael (including Virginia St Mission): Baptism registers, 1832-1893 and Marriage registers, 1856-1899.

Ealing, Mission of St Joseph and St Peter: Baptism registers, 1772-1855.

Saffron Hill mission (Holy Family): Baptism registers, 1842-1852 and 1855-1876.

Baldwin Gardens mission (St Bridget's): Baptism registers, 1851-1872; Confirmation registers, 1857-1875 and Marriage registers, 1854-1876.

Ely Place mission (St Etheldreda): Baptism registers, 1877-1947; Confirmation registers, 1856-1948; Marriage registers, 1855-1975 and Death registers, 1857-1923.

French Chapel (Little George St, nr Portman Sq): Baptism registers, 1909-1911 and Marriage registers: 1846-1910.

Gower Street, Catholic Chaplaincy: Marriage registers, 1988-1990.

Imperial Chapel: Baptism registers, 1765-1816; Marriage registers, 1766-1805 and Death registers, 1794-1806.

Isleworth, Our Lady of Sorrows and St Bridget of Sweden: Baptism registers, 1746-1809 and Confirmation registers: 1747-1777.

Islington, St John: Index to Baptisms, 1841-1819; Baptism registers, 1840-1844, 1851-1871, 1890-1902; Confirmation registers, 1851-1862 and Marriage registers, 1844-1880.

Kensington, Our Lady of Victories: Baptism registers, 1823-1850, 1852-1922 and Marriage Registers: 1852-1927.

Kentish Town, Our Lady Help of Christians: Baptism registers, 1849-1854.

Lincoln's Inn Fields, SS Anselm and Caecilia (inc. Sardinian Chapel): Baptism registers, 1731-1920; Marriage registers, 1729-1838, 1850-1856 and Death registers: 1858-1861.

Mile End, Guardian Angels: Baptism registers, 1869-1890 and Marriage registers, 1904-1962.

Moorfields, St Mary: Index to Baptisms: 1840, 1845-1854, 1856-1861; Baptism registers, 1763-1907; Marriage registers, 1777-1821; Burial registers, 1819-1853 and Death registers, 1857-1860.

Neapolitan Chapel: Baptism registers, 1772-1855.

Old Hall Green: Baptisms, 1811-1830, 1855-1925; Marriage registers, 1812-1848; Confirmation registers, 1812-1848 and Death registers, 1856-1913.

Palace St, SS Peter and Edward: Index to Baptisms, 1864-1940; Baptism registers, 1857-1963; Confirmation registers, 1863-1886, 1905-1942 and Marriage registers, 1859-1973.

Priests Registers including of: Rev James Barnard, 1764-1788; Rev Joseph Bolton, 1766-1781; Rev George Howe, 1796-1798; Fr Richard Dillon, 1750-1753; Fr James Barnard, 1763-1796; Rev James Barnard, 1791-1800; Rev Elston Lacy, 1715-1743; Rev Thomas Varley, 1767-1786; Bishop Poynter confirmation register, 1826-1843; Bishop Bramston confirmation register, 1826-1843; Bishop Gradwell confirmation register, 1826-1843; Bishop Griffiths confirmation register, 1826-1843; Rev Joseph Hodgson, 1802-1818; Fr John Lindow, 1765-1793; Fr John Lindow, 1793-1798; Fr Peter Brown, 1757-1767; Fr Patrick Moore, 1830-1835; Fr Benedict Short, 1763-1787; Fr Emanuel Dias Santos, 1802-1815; Fr Emanuel Dias Santos, 1815-1828; Fr Joseph Anson, 1803-1812; Fr Thomas Horrabim, 1778-1806 and Fr Thomas Cottrell, 1776-1778.

Romford, St Edward the Confessor: Death register, 1858-1877.

Soho, St Patrick's: Index to Baptisms, 1780-1938; Baptism registers, 1790-1899; Confirmation registers, 1818-1854; Marriage registers, 1838-1856; Marriage Bans, 1858-1886 and Death registers, 1882-1902.

Southwark, St George's Fields: Baptism registers, 1801-1826.

Tottenham, St Francis de Sales: Baptism registers, 1794-1823, 1827-1868, 1890-1929; Confirmation registers, 1856-1905, 1908-1968 and Marriage registers, 1827-1856, 1859-1949 .

Underwood Rd, St Anne (Spitalfields): Index to Baptisms, 1848-1909; Baptism registers, 1848-1920; Confirmation, 1856-1891; Index to Marriages, 1851-1934 and Marriages, 1851-1890.

Venetian Embassy: Baptism registers, 1744-1796 and Marriage registers, 1744-1754, 1772-1788.

Walthamstow, St George: Death registers, 1851-1882.

SS Brochure for Christmas 1934 was created to celebrate a Kameradschaftsabend (evening of comradeship) at a coffee house in Bremen on 15 December 1934 for a mobile SS unit based in Bremen, Sturm 2/ 14 SS-Motorstandarte and contains texts of speeches; Christmas songs; the Panzerwagenlied (tank song); list of speeches and advertisments for business in the area.

Plea for food and money from Jews in French internment camp, 1941, comprises a copy of a letter from Dr Michel Lewinsohn and David Kraus in Camp de Vernet- d'Ariège to the Jewish community in Lisbon asking for kosher food for Passover, and money.

Collection of deeds, indentures, extracts from court records, and probate proceedings all relating to London, 1343-1789. Includes churchwardens' accounts for St Clement Danes, 1748, 1751-1752, 1755-1757, and 1760-1762, and other papers relating to the administration of the parish, [1750-1800]; a drawing of 'Houses at Broken Wharf', [1600-1699]; part of a treatise on 'Prerogatives' and 'Concerning the Citie of London', discussing spiritual difficulties when living in London, [1750]; letters from R Bandy to William Archer of Welford, Berkshire, 1726-1727; a printed list of governors of, and contributors to, St George's Hospital, Oct 1733-Dec 1752; papers, mostly printed, relating to elections to the Common Council of the City of London for the Coleman Street ward in Dec 1764 and Dec 1772.

Manuscript volume entitled 'Suspiria piae et acclamantis animae, or meditations, thoughts, ejaculatory prayers. On severall Occasions for private Benefit. But Made publick as they may be Applicable to ye private Necessities of any under the same Sentiments, Conditions and Temptations', [1677-1682].
The book is dedicated to "Mary Wife of Thomas Brocas of Beurepaire in ye County of Southampton Esq.", with the suggestion that she might have it printed, if she thinks it of sufficient merit; this she appears not to have done.

Manuscript volume of directions, devotions and prayers drawn up probably by a pastor particularly for use among the sick, perhaps of mid-18th-century date. The final leaf bears the date 1758, and has been used for keeping an account. Elsewhere are references to 'Charles Linton, Quebec', 10 Mar 1806, and again 'Charles Linton his book his father gave him, Quebec', 10 Mar 1812. A section of the volume contains the printed order for the administration of holy communion, baptism, the visitation and communion of the sick, the burial of the dead, the churching of women, etc.

Ordo Diei et Semita Vitae: Christian devotional manuscript. Written in one hand, a small neat italic with initials in red. Some annotations. There is a calendar at the end with dates from 1673 to 1722.

Manuscript volume, 15th century, consisting of two, originally independent, manuscripts: sermons of St Bernard, and a collection of miscellaneous sermons.

Late 14th century manuscript volume: Benediktinerregel (Rule of St Benedict), divided into 73 chapters (numbered in error as 72), each chapter consisting of a passage in Latin followed by the German translation. There are some ink sketches of monks (ff 6r, 37v, 38r, 82v) and one sketch of an abbot standing before a table (f 71r). The front cover bears a strip of parchment with the inscription: 'Regula Benedictj / Jn Theutunice'. The volume also contains a list of monastic orders with descriptions of the characteristic dress of each order (ff 94r-94v); the text of regulations, in Latin, containing many quotations from the Latin Rule (f 95r-97ra); and the later inscription 'Jste liber p[er]tinet ad mo[na]ste[r]iu[m] ot[e]nbure[n] (this book belongs to the monastery of Ottobeuren) (f 104r).

Prayer Book, 1592.

Gebetbuch (Book of Prayers), early 15th century.

Gebetbuch (Book of Prayers), dated 1534, 1538 and 1539, with later additions, some dated 1656 and 1663.

Manuscript volume, late 15th century: Sammelhandschrift, a collection of miscellaneous texts, some dated 1491, 1493, 1496, and including a Carthusian calendar, sermons, religious poems, prayers, and other texts. With some 16th-century text and annotations.

Gebetbuch (Book of Prayers), c1521, including prayers to the Virgin (one in verse) and to St Catherine. Preceded by a calendar, including tables for the Golden Number and a table of signs of the zodiac.

Gebetbuch (Book of Prayers), 1466, including visitation of the sick, administration of the Last Sacrament, and burial of the dead.

Manuscript volume, 1733, 1738, containing two texts by Johann Heinrich Meister (Jean Henri Le Maitre), 'Christliche Glaubens- und Lebenslehre' (Instructions in the Life and Faith of a Christian), followed by a short tract, 'Examen des communicans pour l'usage de l'Eglise Françoise de Buckebourg' (examination of communicants for the use of the French church at Bückeburg).

Gebetbuch (Book of Prayers), 15th century-16th century. There are sketches at the base of some of the folios representing views of a landscape, probably in Germany, and two sketches of the Madonna, one of them dated 1676.

Anthology of religious poems, 17th century, including penitential prayers and verse meditations on the joys of the next world. Following an introduction (ff 1r-6v), the text from folio 7r is in verse. With marginal references to passages in the Bible, written in the authoress' own hand, throughout the text. Her identity is not revealed, except that her Christian name was Doroteha, and, given references in the introduction to her grandchildren and other relations, she probably wrote the book in later life. With the name Jacobs Himmelsleiter inside the front cover.

The vellum in which the volume is bound bears on the outside front cover traces of 13th-century text, with the heading ET VIGILIA.

Fifteenth-century Beichtbüch (Liber Confessionis), a manual for the penitent about to attend confession, in the form of a treatise or essay (comprising 313 chapters) rather than a dialogue between master and pupil (the usual form of Beichtbücher).

Lectionarium Pro Sanctis Diebus Et Festis (lectionary for holy days and feasts). Apparently incomplete. On the modern binding is: Sermones de sanctis. saec. XII (12th century sermons on saints).

Manuscript volume, 15th century: Missale Fratrum Minorum (missal for the use of Friars Minor), with some musical notation.

Manuscript volume, 15th century: Breviarum Ad Usum Fratrum Minorum (Breviary for the use of Friars Minor).

Manuscript volume, 15th century, containing 'De Confessione, liber primus': book one (of three) of the Malogranatum ascribed to Gallus, abbot of the Cistercian abbey of Königssaal, Bohemia.

The binding incorporates part of a 12th-century treatise on music. The leaf on each front board contained an alphabetical list of 36 antiphons.

Thirteenth-century manuscript volume. The back bears the inscription: Fragment of 13th century lectionary. The volume comprises fragments of two different manuscripts: Breviarium (breviary, ff 1-18), written for Franciscan use and including hagiographical texts; Missale (missal, ff 19-27v). Very fine miniature depicting the Crucifixion on folio 19r, missing the left hand figure.

Manuscript Haggadah [early 14th century], for Passover Eve: Jewish order of service for domestic use.

Manuscript Jewish service book [1811]: Benedictions.

Manucript Jewish service book [1887]: Siddur, rite of Sana (Yemen). Apparently copied from an original with superlinear vowel-points.

Manuscript Jewish service book, 1890: Piyyutim for distinguished Sabbaths, Ashkenazic rite.

Manuscript Mahzor containing Jewish festival prayers for the whole year according to the Italian rite, with some additional prayers and ceremonies. On the last two leaves there are signatures of censors: Jacob Geraldino, 1555; Caesar Bellicosus, undated; Camillo Jaghel, 1619; Antonio Franc Enrique, 1688.

Manuscript Jewish service book, undated: Benedictions.

Manuscript Jewish service book [1695]: Rosh ha-shanah, rite of Carpentras. With a commentary styled 'Seder Eliahu zuta' by Elijah Karmi.

Manuscript Jewish service book [1757]: Yom Kippur, Sephardic rite. An inscription on the title page states that this text was written for the hazzan (cantor), Daniel di Moses Cohen d'Azevedo.

Manuscript Samaritan service book [1788-1789].

Manuscript Jewish service book, 18th century: Omer. Signature on folio 1: Judah Samuel Sinigaglia.

Sir Henry Head's papers, 1891-1909, consist of his casebooks of patients with Herpes Zoster, with sketches and photographs, chiefly from Head's work at the London Hospital, 1891-1909, and his casebooks of patients with various diseases, with sketches and charts, from his work at the City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Heart and Lungs, Victoria Park, 1894.

Two manuscript volumes, 1645-1649, comprising sermons written by an unidentified preacher. Volume 1 includes a sermon for the confirmation of the 'Baron of Ossery, son and heire to the most honorable the Lo. Marquess or Ormond L. Lewetenant of Ireland' in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, in 1646. This was Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossery (1634-1680), who was the eldest son of James Butler (1610-1688), 1st Marquess of Ormonde, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The Archbishop of Dublin was present to conduct the 'laying of hands' at the confirmation. Also in volume 1, at the end of one of the sermons, it states 'Hitherto I preached and then was debarred of my ministry the 25th June 1649'.

Small collection of papers relating to the work of Mary Irene Anderson at the Aburi Girls' Secondary School, Ghana, including a typescript copy of a school log book kept by her predecessors, 1920-1953; typescript accounts of events, 1954-1961; and correspondence relating to the expulsion of non-Ghanaian teachers, 1969-1970.

Papers of Margaret Read, comprising travel notebooks and diaries, dating particularly from the 1940s onwards; photographs, including albums of overseas visits and tours, dating from 1919, particularly in Africa; personalia; drafts of published and unpublished writings; correspondence.

Biographical material relating to Rev Charles William Pearson including 'The Life of Charles William Pearson' by R Pearson, Aug 1991 and photocopies of research notes including on Pearson's missionary work in Sudan and Uganda, M'Tesa's kingdom, 1860s-1880s and Pearson's career in the Merchant Navy and draft chapters of a biography of Pearson.

Papers of Henry Rudolph Davies, 1887-1899, comprise five diaries covering travels in Western China, 1887-1899 and work of the Siam Boundary Commission (1892-1894); letters describing boundary commission, 1894, Journal of expedition with the Chinese Deputies 17 November 1893 to 26 January 1894; Journal of expedition along Chinese frontier and in the Kachen Hills 11 Feb 1894 to 22 March 1894; 'Journal of [...] expedition to Myitkyina... and to Chinese frontier', 7 April 1894 to 2 May 1894; papers concerning his marriage in Burma including two copies of marriage certificate, baptismal certificate of his daughter; a lawyer's letter about his marriage and a framed Chinese passport.

Photograph albums of John Preston Maxwell of cases of osteomalacia and rickets encountered in China and related articles, 1898-1947, and a collection of bound articles from medical journals, predominantly in German, 1826-1934.

Records of the organisation known variously as the Polytechnic Sports Club, the The Institute of the Polytechnic Sports and Social Clubs, and The Polytechnic Sports Club Committee, as well as records of the Polytechnic's Men's and Women's Council, and Joint Council.

This collection includes all records relating to the organisation of sports and social activities by members of the Polytechnic except for records of the individual clubs themselves, which are catalogued as separate collections. However it does include correspondence with the clubs by the Secretary and Committees. This collection also includes papers relating to the award of Polytechnic-wide medals and trophies, including the Elsie Hoare Trophy, Studd Trophy and Ditchman Trophy.

Printed annual reports, 1867-1869, 1871, of the York Place Ragged School, Mission, and Boys' Home, comprising first, second, fourth and fifth reports, the first with a loose insert on the new home for boys; view of frontage of premises in Of Alley, c1867.

Fieldwork notes, correspondence, photographs and papers relating to the Abelam people of Papua New Guinea and the peoples of the Bamenda province of Cameroon; correspondence with other anthropologists; notes on the Abelam language, data on Abelam individuals, drafts for a projected book on the yam cult of Abelam; and language material from the Cameroon.