Introduction

The post-1900 manuscripts include the Library's extensive collections of the private papers of politicians and persons connected with politics, as well as the papers of modern writers, scientists, academics and other public figures.

At present the bulk of these papers are described in the published 'New' Summary Catalogue and its unpublished continuation, comprising mainly accessions since 1975 (the 'green binders'). There is a card index to the unpublished catalogues, stored in Duke Humfrey's Library. Many collections are large enough to have their own catalogue with an index. These collections are known as the 'named collections' or 'blue volumes' as they typically include a name in the shelfmark (eg MSS. Asquith), and have been bound in blue buckram. Recent collections have all been given MSS. Eng. (English) shelfmarks. Copies are available in Duke Humfrey's Library, and in the Modern Papers Reading Room.

Modern Political Papers

The Bodleian Library holds one of the four most important collections of modern political papers in Britain. The papers were mainly generated by politicians, public servants (particularly diplomats), journalists and broadcasters and other figures in public life and date from 1840 to the present day. Details of new accessions are recorded in the Recent Acquisitions list which is revised regularly.

MODPOL is a listing of all the Bodleian's modern political manuscripts. It includes entries for both catalogued and uncatalogued political collections and those which while not primarily political contain material of political interest (e.g. the papers of selected contemporary scientists). The database is designed to be used as the first point of entry to the Library's modern political collections.

There are over 400 collections listed in the database. The entries can be accessed by name, profession (in the larger collections) and subjects covered in the papers. They also give details of the size of the collection, restrictions on access (where applicable), finding aids and information about related holdings in other modern political collections. Access to this database is currently confined to readers in the Library. It is being transferred into an electronic format which will enable it to be accessible on the internet.

Major political collections

Modern Literary Papers

Major literary collections

Other Modern Papers

Major other collections

Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts

Last revised 30 January 2001 by lwm/mnw
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