Archive and Manuscript Collections
Introduction
The archive and manuscript collections, which number in the region of 6.5 million items in 2,500 collections, are principally from the nineteenth and twentieth century, although the earliest item dates from the twelfth century. They focus on: (i) political, military, diplomatic and official papers of individuals with a connection with the University's region, such as the first Duke of Wellington and Earl Mountbatten of Burma; (ii) on Anglo-Jewry and on the relations between the Jews and other peoples; (iii) on the University itself and former staff, students and associates; (iv) on acoustics, in particular architectural acoustics; and (v) historical river data.
All manuscript and rare book material is consulted in the Archives and Manuscripts and Rare Books searchroom: access is by prior appointment.
Catalogues for the Archive and Manuscripts
The catalogues provide the key to unlock the riches of the archive and manuscript collections at Southampton. There are four on-line catalogue databases, which give an overview of all the archive holdings of the Division and also focus in depth on three of the significant archive collections: those of the first Duke of Wellington, Earl Mountbatten of Burma and third Viscount Palmerston.
The Guide to the Archive and Manuscript Collections provides collection level descriptions of all the manuscript holdings of the Hartley Library. This is the starting point for anyone wishing to find out out about the collections at the University of Southampton. It is updated as new accessions are received. A parallel web version of the guide is also available.
The Wellington Papers Database contains material relating to MS 61, the principal collection of approximately 100,000 papers of Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington lodged at the University. The focus of the detailed cataloguing has been on sections of the archives, namely: for 1819-32, for the period 1807-9 and for part of Wellington's tenure as Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. Material for 1809 onwards is in process and will be added to the database.
The papers of the late Louis, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, and Edwina, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, form part of MS 62, the Broadlands Archives. The Mountbatten Papers Database contains a summary catalogue of brief descriptions of the papers of the late Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma, together with family papers, a series of photograph albums and photographs, and BR70-90, which is the political correspondence of William Wilfrid Ashley, from the Broadlands estate and family papers. Complementary to this summary catalogue are detailed descriptions or transcripts of papers focusing on sections of the archive, specifically Lord Mountbatten as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, for the transfer of power in India, and for some photograph albums.
The Palmerston Papers Database focuses on the papers of Henry John Temple, third Viscount Palmerston, which also forms part of collection MS 62. The first section of the Palmerston Papers Database contains summary descriptions of the archive, which encompasses his semi-official political papers and family correspondence in BR22-30. The second section is a detailed description of correspondence of certain correspondents, with a particular focus on home affairs and diplomatic relations.
The Special Collection Division has undertaken surveys of archive collections to provide further information on material complementary to the holdings at Southampton. The Survey of Jewish Archives aims to bring together information on Jewish archive material held both publicly and privately in the UK and Ireland. The Survey of Papers of Senior UK Military Personnel, 1793-1975, is a survey of the location of private papers on military and naval affairs, which was undertaken in conjunction with the Liddell Hart Centre at King's College, London.
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