Archives and Special Collections: Subject guides - Modern Political Papers

Modern Political Papers: Contents Page

• Major Collections
• Further Information

These web pages are designed to draw the attention of researchers to the variety of archive material held by the Brynmor Jones Library concerning the modern political and electoral process. In this context, the term 'modern' refers to the period following the great Reform Act of 1832, which widened the franchise for general elections in Britain and initiated a series of Acts culminating in the enfranchisement of women over the age of 21 in 1928. A set of copies of notices of the Reform Act itself can be found in the archives [DX/150/9]. Earlier material should not however be overlooked. Many of the landed family and estate collections in particular include correspondence with or about political figures of the day. The Forbes Adam family papers for example contain three letters from Andrew Marvell, MP for Hull and Restoration poet, dated 1674-77 [DDFA/39/27-29]. It was also common practice for members of these families to enter Parliament themselves as elected representatives. Only the most significant collections are covered here, although letters from such politicians as W E Gladstone [DX/83/1] and Austen Chamberlain [DX/18/1] are scattered throughout the archives.