Subfonds GB 0505 BC AR300-399 - Secretary's Office of Bedford College

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0505 BC AR300-399

Title

Secretary's Office of Bedford College

Date(s)

  • 1849-1985 (Creation)

Level of description

Subfonds

Extent and medium

224 boxes or 2.24 cubic metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Various Professors originally filled the unpaid post of Honorary Secretary to the Council, until Jane Martineau took over the role in 1855. She was followed by Henrietta Le Breton, Frances Kennington, Blanche Shadwell and Lucy Russell, who retired in 1898. The decision was then made to appoint a salaried Lady Secretary who would undertake clerical duties for the College and the Residence. The growth of the College, however, meant an increase in the volume of administrative work, leading to the appointment of an Assistant Secretary and an Honorary Treasurer in 1899. In 1913, with the move to Regent's Park, this ad hoc administrative system was put onto a more modern footing, with the employment of a salaried Bursar and Registrar to share the workload. This led to the creation of structured office procedures.

As the College developed, the role of the Secretary became ever more important, with an increase in scope and responsibility, especially on the financial side. From the outset the Honorary Secretaries had dealt with the general College accounts, and this duty expanded to include the calculation of salaries for the teaching staff, the administration of moneys for gifts and bequests, communication with the University of London, London County Council and other grant making bodies, and the recording and organisation of Council meetings and procedures. The Secretary sat on every Council Standing Committee, initially acting as Secretary for them all.

Archival history

The papers were transferred from the Bedford College Archives when the College merged with Royal Holloway in 1985.
GB 0505 BC AR300-399 1849-1985 Subfonds 224 boxes or 2.24 cubic metres Bedford College , Secretary's Office

Various Professors originally filled the unpaid post of Honorary Secretary to the Council, until Jane Martineau took over the role in 1855. She was followed by Henrietta Le Breton, Frances Kennington, Blanche Shadwell and Lucy Russell, who retired in 1898. The decision was then made to appoint a salaried Lady Secretary who would undertake clerical duties for the College and the Residence. The growth of the College, however, meant an increase in the volume of administrative work, leading to the appointment of an Assistant Secretary and an Honorary Treasurer in 1899. In 1913, with the move to Regent's Park, this ad hoc administrative system was put onto a more modern footing, with the employment of a salaried Bursar and Registrar to share the workload. This led to the creation of structured office procedures.

As the College developed, the role of the Secretary became ever more important, with an increase in scope and responsibility, especially on the financial side. From the outset the Honorary Secretaries had dealt with the general College accounts, and this duty expanded to include the calculation of salaries for the teaching staff, the administration of moneys for gifts and bequests, communication with the University of London, London County Council and other grant making bodies, and the recording and organisation of Council meetings and procedures. The Secretary sat on every Council Standing Committee, initially acting as Secretary for them all.

The papers were transferred from the Bedford College Archives when the College merged with Royal Holloway in 1985.

Papers relating to ceremonial and special occasions, 1901-1985, including opening ceremonies for college buildings, Centenary celebrations, garden parties, Commemoration Days, Royal visits and events, special dinners, the 1899 Jubilee, and the Final Reunion at Bedford College in Jun 1985. Material concerning public lectures held at Bedford College, 1909-1984, notably the Stevenson and Fawcett lecture series, the Hobhouse Memorial lectures, and Bedford College inaugural lectures. Papers relating to gifts, bequests and prizes donated to Bedford College, 1891-1992, notably legal deeds, correspondence and catalogues concerning the Herringham Collection, 1917-1983; correspondence and papers relating to various memorial funds, 1913-1974; papers concerning Trusts administered by the College, 1900-1934 and 1971-1973, notably the Gilchrist Educational Trust, and the Bedford College Regency Trust; material concerning the award and administration of Arts and Science prizes, 1897-1985. Papers and correspondence with Academic Departments, 1878-1984, including Social Studies, Botany, Zoology, History, Philosophy, Classics, English, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Biochemistry, Physiology, Psychology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Physics and Mathematics, with material relating to College grants to departments, and computing services. Papers on the relationship between Bedford College and various grant-giving bodies, notably the Treasury, 1892-1987, with papers relating to the University Grants Council and the Quinquennium grant; the University of London, 1909-1969; the London County Council and other local authorities, 1894-1983; and papers on research grants for various academic subjects, 1953-1985. Administrative material and correspondence concerning Bedford College Scholarships, 1862-1975, notably Entrance Scholarships, 1892-1975; Research Scholarships and Studentships, 1915-1967; and various named scholarships for specific subjects, 1902-1968. Secretary's correspondence, 1888-1985, with the University of London, 1888-1985, on subjects including University Statutes, the Murray Committee, the recognition of teachers, the medical education of women, academic reorganisation and restructuring, teaching methods and courses, scholarship grants, intercollegiate affairs, and the University of London Union Society; with other University of London Colleges, 1892-1982, such as Westfield College, Royal Holloway College, University College, King's College, the Institute of Historical Research, Birkbeck College, Queen Mary College and the Institute of Archaeology, mainly on intercollegiate co-operation; with Universities outside London, 1929-1951; with other associations and leagues, 1902-1983, such as the Workers Educational Association, the Society of Apothecaries, the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and Maidstone Grammar School; with national bodies, 1901-1984, notably the Science and Engineering Research Council, the Customs and Excise Office, St Marylebone Borough Council, the Board of Education, the Crown Estate and Forestry Commission, the National Union of Students, the National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland, the Women's Industrial Council, and the Women's Employment Federation. Secretary's correspondence and papers relating to the government of Bedford College, 1897-1985, including correspondence with the Bedford College Council, and papers relating to amendments to the Charter and Statutes and the composition of the Council and its Committees, 1903-1985; correspondence and papers relating to the establishment and working of various Council Committees, including the Academic Board and its Committees, 1953-1985; correspondence and papers relating to the Governors and Fellows of Bedford College, 1897-1985; correspondence with the Patrons of Bedford College, 1953-1985, and relating to their visits, 1955-1984; papers relating to student discipline, 1965-1977; correspondence with Academic Staff and Departments, 1901-1982; correspondence with the Housekeeper, later the Bursar, 1917-1937. Papers relating to the work of the Secretary's Department, including analyses of work loads and reviews of procedures, 1917, 1929-1930 and 1965-1980. Papers relating to Bedford College in wartime, 1914-1919 and 1938-1951, including minutes and correspondence of the War Activities Committee, 1914-1919; list of donor to the War Activities Fund, 1914-1917; correspondence with the Board of Education and the St Marylebone Tribunal concerning the military service of staff during World War One, 1917-1919; correspondence and papers relating to the evacuation of Bedford College to Cambridge, 1939-1945; correspondence concerning wartime use of the Regent's Park site by the Dutch Government and the BBC, 1939-1944; correspondence concerning College buildings during World War Two, 1938-1951, notably air raid precautions, maintenance, bomb damage and rebuilding; correspondence regarding military service by staff during World War One, 1939-1942; correspondence concerning the return to Regent's Park, 1943-1950, including details of temporary accommodation and reconstruction of bomb-damaged buildings; engineers' plans for air raid shelters, [1939-1945].

The papers are broadly arranged in files according to subject or correspondent.

Administrative and Committee papers are closed for 30 years from the last date on file. Papers relating to individuals are usually closed for 100 years from the subject's birth. Users are advised to consult the College Archivist for specific details.

Copies of open material may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the Archivist.
English

'A catalogue of the Archives of Bedford College (University of London), 1849-1985' by Claire Gobbi Daunton and Elizabeth Bennett, 1987.

The Royal Holloway, University of London Archives hold the Secretary's notebook, 1888-1902 (BC GB115); Registrar's papers including material relating to Secretary's Meetings, 1976-1982 (BC AR275/1/1-3); and photographs of various Secretaries (BC PH1), and photographs of College events, such as opening ceremonies, garden parties and conferences (BC PH3).

A history of Bedford College for Women, 1849-1937 (Oxford University Press, London, 1939), by Dame Margaret Jansen Tuke; Educating women: a pictorial history of Bedford College, University of London, 1849-1985 (Alma Publishers, Surrey, 1991), by Dr Linna Bentley.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the AIM25 project. Compiled in accordance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate names, 1997. Apr 2000 Wars (events) Academic buildings Academic teaching personnel Air warfare Armed forces Awards BBC , British Broadcasting Corporation x British Broadcasting Corporation Bedford College , Academic Board Bedford College , Biochemistry Department Bedford College , Botany Department Bedford College , Bursar Bedford College , Chemistry Department Bedford College , Classics Department Bedford College , Council Bedford College , Dutch Studies Department Bedford College , English Department Bedford College , Fellows Bedford College , French Department Bedford College , Geography Department Bedford College , Geology Department Bedford College , German Department Bedford College , Governors Bedford College , History Department Bedford College , Housekeeper Bedford College , Italian Department Bedford College , Mathematics Department Bedford College , Patrons Bedford College , Philosophy Department Bedford College , Physics Department Bedford College , Physiology Department Bedford College , Psychology Department Bedford College , Regency Trust Bedford College , Secretary's Office Bedford College , Social Studies Department Bedford College , War Activities Committee Bedford College x Bedford College for Women Bedford College , Zoology Department Birkbeck College Board of Education British Association for the Advancement of Science Building maintenance Building operations Cambridge Cambridgeshire Computers Computer systems Construction engineering Crown Estate and Forestry Commission Customs and Excise Office Deeds Documents East London Technical College x East London College x Queen Mary College Economics of education Educational administrative structure Educational administrators Educational buildings Educational courses Educational finance Educational financial resources Educational foundations Educational grants Educational management Educational organizations Educational personnel Educational resources Educational systems Employment England Europe Gilchrist Educational Trust Higher education institutions Higher science education Information sources International conflicts International relations King's College London LCC , London County Council x London County Council Lectures (teaching method) London Maidstone Grammar School Medical education Medical personnel Medical profession Medical sciences Military engineering Military organizations Monarchy National Union of Students National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland Netherlands Organizations Personnel Physicians Political systems Prizes Reconstruction (buildings) Regent's Park Royal Holloway College Scholarships Science and Engineering Research Council Social behaviour Social norms Society of Apothecaries State security St Marylebone St Marylebone Borough Council St Marylebone Tribunal Students Surgery Teachers Teaching methods Treasury UGC , University Grants Committee x University Grants Committee UK Universities University College London University of London , Institute of Archaeology x University College London , Institute of Archaeology x Institute of Archaeology University of London , Institute of Historical Research x Institute of Historical Research University of London Union Society University of London x London University University students War War damage Warfare WEA , Workers' Educational Association x Workers' Educational Association Western Europe Westfield College x University of London , Westfield College Women physicians Womens education Womens employment Women's Employment Federation Women's Industrial Council Women students World War One (1914-1918) World wars (events) World War Two (1939-1945) People by occupation People Camden Educational institutions

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers relating to ceremonial and special occasions, 1901-1985, including opening ceremonies for college buildings, Centenary celebrations, garden parties, Commemoration Days, Royal visits and events, special dinners, the 1899 Jubilee, and the Final Reunion at Bedford College in Jun 1985. Material concerning public lectures held at Bedford College, 1909-1984, notably the Stevenson and Fawcett lecture series, the Hobhouse Memorial lectures, and Bedford College inaugural lectures. Papers relating to gifts, bequests and prizes donated to Bedford College, 1891-1992, notably legal deeds, correspondence and catalogues concerning the Herringham Collection, 1917-1983; correspondence and papers relating to various memorial funds, 1913-1974; papers concerning Trusts administered by the College, 1900-1934 and 1971-1973, notably the Gilchrist Educational Trust, and the Bedford College Regency Trust; material concerning the award and administration of Arts and Science prizes, 1897-1985. Papers and correspondence with Academic Departments, 1878-1984, including Social Studies, Botany, Zoology, History, Philosophy, Classics, English, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Biochemistry, Physiology, Psychology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Physics and Mathematics, with material relating to College grants to departments, and computing services. Papers on the relationship between Bedford College and various grant-giving bodies, notably the Treasury, 1892-1987, with papers relating to the University Grants Council and the Quinquennium grant; the University of London, 1909-1969; the London County Council and other local authorities, 1894-1983; and papers on research grants for various academic subjects, 1953-1985. Administrative material and correspondence concerning Bedford College Scholarships, 1862-1975, notably Entrance Scholarships, 1892-1975; Research Scholarships and Studentships, 1915-1967; and various named scholarships for specific subjects, 1902-1968. Secretary's correspondence, 1888-1985, with the University of London, 1888-1985, on subjects including University Statutes, the Murray Committee, the recognition of teachers, the medical education of women, academic reorganisation and restructuring, teaching methods and courses, scholarship grants, intercollegiate affairs, and the University of London Union Society; with other University of London Colleges, 1892-1982, such as Westfield College, Royal Holloway College, University College, King's College, the Institute of Historical Research, Birkbeck College, Queen Mary College and the Institute of Archaeology, mainly on intercollegiate co-operation; with Universities outside London, 1929-1951; with other associations and leagues, 1902-1983, such as the Workers Educational Association, the Society of Apothecaries, the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and Maidstone Grammar School; with national bodies, 1901-1984, notably the Science and Engineering Research Council, the Customs and Excise Office, St Marylebone Borough Council, the Board of Education, the Crown Estate and Forestry Commission, the National Union of Students, the National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland, the Women's Industrial Council, and the Women's Employment Federation. Secretary's correspondence and papers relating to the government of Bedford College, 1897-1985, including correspondence with the Bedford College Council, and papers relating to amendments to the Charter and Statutes and the composition of the Council and its Committees, 1903-1985; correspondence and papers relating to the establishment and working of various Council Committees, including the Academic Board and its Committees, 1953-1985; correspondence and papers relating to the Governors and Fellows of Bedford College, 1897-1985; correspondence with the Patrons of Bedford College, 1953-1985, and relating to their visits, 1955-1984; papers relating to student discipline, 1965-1977; correspondence with Academic Staff and Departments, 1901-1982; correspondence with the Housekeeper, later the Bursar, 1917-1937. Papers relating to the work of the Secretary's Department, including analyses of work loads and reviews of procedures, 1917, 1929-1930 and 1965-1980. Papers relating to Bedford College in wartime, 1914-1919 and 1938-1951, including minutes and correspondence of the War Activities Committee, 1914-1919; list of donor to the War Activities Fund, 1914-1917; correspondence with the Board of Education and the St Marylebone Tribunal concerning the military service of staff during World War One, 1917-1919; correspondence and papers relating to the evacuation of Bedford College to Cambridge, 1939-1945; correspondence concerning wartime use of the Regent's Park site by the Dutch Government and the BBC, 1939-1944; correspondence concerning College buildings during World War Two, 1938-1951, notably air raid precautions, maintenance, bomb damage and rebuilding; correspondence regarding military service by staff during World War One, 1939-1942; correspondence concerning the return to Regent's Park, 1943-1950, including details of temporary accommodation and reconstruction of bomb-damaged buildings; engineers' plans for air raid shelters, [1939-1945].

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The papers are broadly arranged in files according to subject or correspondent.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Administrative and Committee papers are closed for 30 years from the last date on file. Papers relating to individuals are usually closed for 100 years from the subject's birth. Users are advised to consult the College Archivist for specific details.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies of open material may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the Archivist.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The Royal Holloway, University of London Archives hold the Secretary's notebook, 1888-1902 (BC GB115); Registrar's papers including material relating to Secretary's Meetings, 1976-1982 (BC AR275/1/1-3); and photographs of various Secretaries (BC PH1), and photographs of College events, such as opening ceremonies, garden parties and conferences (BC PH3).

Finding aids

'A catalogue of the Archives of Bedford College (University of London), 1849-1985' by Claire Gobbi Daunton and Elizabeth Bennett, 1987.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal Holloway, University of London

Rules and/or conventions used

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

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area