Letters of Support and Opposition, Appreciation, and Thanks: Opposition, Anonymous, 'Cranks', 1958-1962
Dates
- Creation: 1958-1962
Extent
6 folders
Language of Materials
- English
Shelfmark
MSS. Welensky Papers 565
Arrangement
This section includes letters of support and congratulation, opposition and excoriation, appeals for assistance and employment, letters of recommendation and introduction, and such like material. A sample of the (carefully filed) letters from individuals deemed 'cranks' has been retained, as has a quantity of the largely ephemeral letters from seekers after autographs and signed photographs. Dealing with these consumed the time of the private office and private secretaries, as did more obviously important matters, but good manners and good public relations demanded that reasonable requests be met. The classification of 'crank' was used relatively infrequently. The index includes only the more significant correspondents.
Letters of support and congratulation in respect of particular events, e.g. the 1959 Nyasaland Emergency or the 1953 and 1961 referenda in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), will be found under the relevant sections if separate files had been created for them. The bulk of such general letters increased in step with the declining prospects of maintaining the Federation. The various sequences of running files have been amalgamated. For 'Congratulations' to 1956, see MSS. Welensky Papers 693/2-694/3.
Opposition, anonymous, and 'cranks' includes conspiracy theorists and certain religious zealots.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk