Introduction
A
Papers concerning his career,
1901-86
A.1 Correspondence and papers concerning Selby's early
career, 1901-20
A.2 Papers as First Secretary and Head of Chancery, Cairo,
1921-33, and later related material,
1948-51, 1986
A.3 Papers as Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign
Secretary and later related material, 1924-50
A.4 Papers as British Minister in Vienna,
1932-41
A.5 Papers as British Ambassador in Lisbon,
1937-40, 1957-9
A.6 Papers of Selby as member of various committees and
societies, 1942-51
B
Correspondence, 1900-64
B.1 Special Correspondence,
1912-62
B.2 General correspondence,
1900-64
B.3 Letters written by Selby to the press,
1941-60
C
Literary papers, 1940-60
D
Family correspondence and papers, c.1890-1987
E
Financial and business papers,
1845-1953
F
Newscuttings, 1880-1957, and printed
material and memorabilia, c.1900-55
G
Photographs, c.1881-1950
H
Early family papers, 15th-19th
cent.
| Abstract: Correspondence and papers of Sir Walford Selby (1881-1965), diplomat, and the Selby family. |
The papers of Selby and his immediate family comprise (A) papers concerning his career, (B) correspondence, (C) literary papers, (D) family correspondence and papers, (E) financial and business papers, (F) newscuttings, printed material and memorabilia and (G) photographs. Section H contains early family papers, 15th-19th cent.
Sir Walford Harmood Montague Selby (1881-1965) was born in Brighton, the son of Charles Edward Montague Selby and Ellen Maria Harmood-Banner. He was educated at Charterhouse, Brighton College and Christ Church, Oxford, and in 1904 entered the Diplomatic Service as an attaché. His early career was divided between postings in Berlin and The Hague and spells at the Foreign Office. In 1911 he became assistant private secretary to Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary, and in 1918 spent a few months in the Grenadier Guards before being reclaimed by the Foreign Office at the armistice.
In 1919 Selby became First Secretary and Head of the Chancery at Cairo where his knowledge of Arabic helped his work with Lord Allenby, Special High Commissioner to Egypt, on the negotiations leading up to the abolition of the British Protectorate in February 1922. Selby returned to London that year and in 1924 began his long career as Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, serving Ramsay MacDonald, Sir Austen Chamberlain, Arthur Henderson, Lord Reading and Sir John Simon. In this capacity he attended the Locarno Conference in 1925.
In 1932 Selby resigned from the Principal Private Secretaryship, and declined the post of Under-Secretary of State in favour of an appointment abroad. In 1933 he became British Minister in Vienna, one of the most important observation posts in Europe at the time. Selby was a strong supporter of Austrian independence, and became popular in Vienna. Edward VIII visited Austria in September 1936, returning to Vienna for five months following his abdication, and was frequently entertained at the British Legation.
In December 1937 Selby moved to Lisbon as Ambassador, his final posting. With the outbreak of war the importance of Portugal, a neutral country, increased. Selby left Portugal and retired from the Foreign Office in December 1940.
On his return to England Selby became involved in fund-raising for Austria and Poland. In the late 1940s he emigrated to Rhodesia where he worked on his book criticizing the Foreign Office between the wars, which was published as Diplomatic Twilight in 1953. Selby died in Salisbury, Rhodesia, in 1965.
In 1912 Selby married Dorothy Orme Carter and they had three children, Vera, Ralph, who also entered the Diplomatic Service, and Derek.
| Correspondence and papers concerning Selby's early
career, 1901-20 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6580 Extent: 141 leaves Scope and Content: Includes papers concerning
with
|
| Files concerning Egypt,
1921-9 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6581 Extent: 388 leaves Scope and Content: Includes memoranda
|
| Papers concerning Egypt,
1921-33 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6582 Extent: 445 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Papers concerning Egypt,
1924-51, 1986 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6583 Extent: 240 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Papers as Principal Private Secretary,
1924-32 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6584 Extent: 311 leaves Scope and Content: Includes letters
With
|
| Two files concerning Europe,
1926-32 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6585 Extent: 235 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Miscellaneous files,
1925-50 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6586 Extent: 333 leaves Scope and Content: Papers concerning
|
| Correspondence as British Minister, May
1933-Nov. 1937 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6587 Extent: 444 leaves Scope and Content: With (fols. 410-44) explanatory memorandum, 1950. |
| Files as British Minister,
1932-7 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6588 Extent: 278 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Miscellaneous files,
1934-41 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6589 Extent: 174 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Papers as British Ambassador in Lisbon,
1937-40, 1957-9 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6590 Extent: 279 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Papers of Selby,
1942-51 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6591 Extent: 314 leaves Scope and Content: Comprises his papers as
|
| Special correspondence,
1920-54 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6592 Extent: 492 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Correspondence with Frank Ashton-Gwatkin,
1955-62 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6593 Extent: 246 leaves |
| Special correspondence,
1926-61 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6594 Extent: 264 leaves Scope and Content: With
|
| Correspondence with Arthur Murray (later 3rd
Viscount Elibank), including letters from others to Murray and forwarded by
him to Selby, 1916-52 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6595 Extent: 325 leaves |
| Correspondence as MS. Eng. c. 6595 above,
1953-4 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6596 Extent: 398 leaves Scope and Content: Includes (fol. 298) a letter from Sir William Wiseman, Head of British Intelligence in the USA, 17 Sept. 1918, enclosing (fols. 299-308) a translation of an interview between Alfonso XIII, King of Spain and Otto Kahn, an American citizen. |
| Correspondence as MS. Eng. c. 6595 above,
1955-6 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6597 Extent: 327 leaves |
| Correspondence as MS. Eng. c. 6595 above,
1957-62 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6598 Extent: 339 leaves |
| Special correspondence,
1912-60 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6599 Extent: 439 leaves Scope and Content: With
|
| Special correspondence,
1944-60 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6600 Extent: 416 leaves Scope and Content: With
|
| Special correspondence,
1920-57 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6601 Extent: 348 leaves Scope and Content: With
|
| Special correspondence,
1930-53 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6602 Extent: 273 leaves Scope and Content:
|
|
1900-49
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6603 Extent: 444 leaves |
|
1950-2
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6604 Extent: 333 leaves |
|
1953-5
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6605 Extent: 477 leaves |
|
1956-64 and n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6606 Extent: 415 leaves |
| Letters written by Selby to the press with related
correspondence, 1941-60 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6607 Extent: 196 leaves |
| Speeches, broadcasts and articles by Selby,
1941-52 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6608 Extent: 191 leaves Scope and Content: Comprises
|
| Draft memoirs (mainly typescript),
1940s Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6609 Extent: 221 leaves Scope and Content: Memoirs relate to Selby's early career and work as Principal Private Secretary successively to 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Ramsay Macdonald and Sir Austen Chamberlain. |
| Draft memoirs (mainly typescript),
1940s Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6610 Extent: 220 leaves Scope and Content: Memoirs relate to Selby's work as Principal Private Secretary successively to Arthur Henderson, 1st Marquess of Reading, and John, 1st Viscount Simon. |
| Memoranda and notes mainly relating to foreign affairs,
1942-60 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6611 Extent: 577 leaves Scope and Content: Includes papers relating to
|
| Drafts (mainly typescript, with some annotations) of
Diplomatic Twilight containing material not included in the
published version, c.1953 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3223 Extent: 494 leaves |
| Drafts of Diplomatic Twilight, as MS.
Eng. d. 3223 above Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3224 Extent: 527 leaves Scope and Content: Includes (fols. 1-260) copy submitted to the Foreign Office. |
| Drafts of Diplomatic Twilight, as MS.
Eng. d. 3223 above Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3225 Extent: 177 leaves |
| Drafts of Diplomatic Twilight, as MS.
Eng. d. 3223 above Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6612 Extent: 325 leaves |
| Background material for Diplomatic
Twilight, 1942-58 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6613 Extent: 522 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Miscellaneous memoranda and notes, mainly undated,
c.1940-60 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6614 Extent: 357 leaves Scope and Content: Includes papers relating to
|
| Family correspondence, c.1890-1934 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6615 Extent: 280 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Correspondence between Selby and his parents, mainly
letters to and from his mother, 1907-33 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6616 Extent: 185 leaves Scope and Content: Includes letters concerning
|
| Family correspondence, c.1900-40 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6617 Extent: 471 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Address book of Ellen Selby, c.1940 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. e. 3272 Extent: 73 leaves Binding: Calf |
| Correspondence and papers of Selby's brother, Lt.-Col.
Charles Westrope Selby, 1899-1929 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6618 Extent: 435 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Hunting journal, probably of C.W. Selby,
1910-11 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3226 Extent: 50 leaves Binding: Limp red morocco, decorated endpaper |
| Correspondence between Selby and his wife, Dorothy, Lady
Selby, c.1905-13 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6619 Extent: 261 leaves |
| Correspondence between Selby and his wife, Dorothy, Lady
Selby, 1914-21 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6620 Extent: 160 leaves Scope and Content: Includes (fols. 61-160) letters written while Selby was in Cairo, 1920-1. |
| Correspondence of Dorothy, Lady Selby, c.1905-50 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6621 Extent: 195 leaves Scope and Content: Comprises correspondence
|
| Papers of Lady Selby,
1940-50 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6622 Extent: 283 leaves Scope and Content: Relates to
|
| Poultry book of Lady Selby,
1948-50 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. e. 3273 Extent: 92 leaves Binding: Blue quarter cloth, white papered boards |
| Papers concerning the Selby children,
1921-48 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6623 Extent: 367 leaves Restrictions on Access: CLOSED |
| Corrrespondence of Selby's son Ralph,
1921-87 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6624 Extent: 409 leaves Restrictions on Access: CLOSED |
| Correspondence and papers of Selby's relations and
children, 1904-82 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6625 Extent: 373 leaves Restrictions on Access: CLOSED |
| Army notebook (punched loose leaves removed from a
binder) of Ralph or Derek Selby, c.1939 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. e. 3274 Extent: 233 leaves |
| Notebook containing notes on mechanics, probably by
Ralph or Derek Selby, 1939 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3227 Extent: 104 leaves Binding: Half cloth, black papered boards |
| Correspondence and papers concerning estates of family
members, 1886-1951 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6626 Extent: 190 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| General financial correspondence and papers,
1845-1952 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6627 Extent: 121 leaves Scope and Content: Includes papers concerning the Selby houses
|
| General financial correspondence and papers,
1935-53 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6628 Extent: 158 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Business papers and correspondence of Lady Selby,
1902-49 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6629 Extent: 151 leaves Scope and Content: Includes papers concerning
With (fols. 118-51) household receipts and papers, 1941-9. |
| Tax return papers,
1916-52 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6630 Extent: 179 leaves |
| Bank statements,
1930-49 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6631 Extent: 231 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Deposit account book of Sir Walford and Lady Selby,
1940-5 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. e. 3275 Extent: 12 leaves |
| Newscuttings relating to Selby and (fols. 120-51) his
family, 1880-1957 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6632 Extent: 151 leaves |
| Scrapbook containing cuttings of reviews of
Diplomatic Twilight, 1953 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6633 Extent: 98 leaves |
| Inscribed books and articles from Selby's friends,
1930-57 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3228 Extent: 12 items |
| Printed material,
1904-55 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6634 Extent: 217 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Printed memorabilia, c.1900-50 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3229 Extent: 214 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Printed material,
1905-40 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. e. 3276 Extent: 8 items Scope and Content:
|
| Certificates and miscellaneous printed memorabilia,
1906-49 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6635 Extent: 118 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Diploma of membership presented to Selby by the Mutual
Aid Association of Artists of Coimbra, 1939 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. a. 2030 Extent: 1 leaf |
| Photographs, c.1881-1950 Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 116 Extent: 110 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Photographs, 1931-40 Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 117 Extent: 74 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Photographs taken when Selby was Ambassador to Portugal,
1937-40 Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 118 Extent: 36 leaves |
| Photographs, 1937-49 Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 119 Extent: 52 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Title deeds to land in Kent, chiefly West Malling,
1404-1749 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6636 Extent: 17 items Material: Parchment documents, many with seals |
| Family and other early documents,
1597-1792 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6637 Extent: 59 leaves Material: Paper Scope and Content: Comprises
|
| Family documents,
1637-1808 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6638 Extent: 7 items Material: Parchment Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Volume containing notes on the keeping of manorial
courts and on Selby genealogy, written partly in 1712 (see p. 15) and partly in
1870 (see p. 29), 18th-19th cent. Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3230 Extent: 185 + i pages Binding: Vellum |
| Deeds, correspondence and papers concerning land
purchased by Richard Selby in Virginia, USA, in 1795,
1793-1873 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. b. 2094 Extent: 240 leaves Scope and Content: Includes
|
| Sermons written by Selby's great-grandfather, Charles
Bridge Selby, with family correspondence, c.1815-81 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3231 Extent: 235 leaves Binding: Mainly sewn sections, some disbound |
| Family documents and legal papers,
1610-1859 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6639 Extent: 134 leaves Scope and Content:
|
| Family documents and legal papers,
1827-77 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6640 Extent: 123 leaves Scope and Content: Includes (fols. 34-123) documents concerning marriage settlement of Thomas Selby and Elizabeth Foster, 1838-74. |
| Papers of Selby's grandfather, Thomas Selby, mainly
concerning his claim to the Montague peerage,
1829-80 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6641 Extent: 307 leaves |
| Papers of Thomas Selby concerning his bankruptcy,
1876-8, 1980 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6642 Extent: 245 leaves |
| Papers of Selby's uncle, Walford Dakin Selby,
1862-88 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6643 Extent: 414 leaves Scope and Content: Includes (fols. 123-375) correspondence concerning his work at the Public Record Office, 1878-82, 1921, returned in 1921 by the executor of F.J. Furnivall. |
| Two notebooks containing notes on Selby family history,
19th cent. Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3232 Extent: 199 leaves Binding: Black stiffened paper wrappers |
| Two notebooks containing notes on Selby family history,
19th cent. Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3233 Extent: 182 leaves Binding: (fols. 1-38) Brown stiffened paper wrappers; (fols. 39-182) black half calf, marbled boards |
| Two notebooks containing notes on Selby family history,
19th cent. Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3234 Extent: 249 leaves Binding: (fols. 1-154) Black papered boards; (fols. 155-249) black half calf, marbled boards, ticket of F. Esquilart, Oxford St. |
| Notes on history of Selby and other families, including
genealogies and copies of documents, 19th
cent. Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 6644 Extent: 179 leaves |
| Notes on history of Selby and other families,
19th cent. Shelfmark: MS. Eng. d. 3235 Extent: 171 leaves Binding: (fols. 1-22) Black quarter calf, marbled boards (the rest mainly loose sheets) |
| Drawings and engravings, mainly topographical, several
of Birdbrook, Essex, c.1787-1830 Shelfmark: MS. Eng. a. 2031 Extent: 71 leaves |