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Papers of Sir John Valentine W. Shaw

 Collection

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Press cuttings, photographs, correspondence and reports relating to service in the Gold Coast, Cyprus, Palestine, Trinidad and Sierra Leone, 1924-1955; album of photographs of service as Chief Secretary, Palestine, 1946; album of gramophone recordings of speeches made at inauguration as Governor of Trinidad, 1947.

Dates

  • Creation: 1924-1955

Extent

3 Volumes

Language of Materials

  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 456].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 456

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 4172

Biographical / Historical

Sir John Valentine Wistar Shaw (fl 1894-1950) served as Assistant District Commissioner, from 1921, District Commissioner, from 1925, and Assistant Secretary, from 1928, in the Gold Coast. He then moved to Palestine, where he became Assistant Secretary, 1935, Senior Assistant Secretary, 1938 and Departmental Chief Secretary, 1939. He was posted to Cyprus as Colonial Secretary in 1940. He was made Chief Secretary, Palestine, 1943 and acted as Governor, Cyprus and High Commissioner for Palestine for several periods, 1940-1946. From 1947 to 1950 he served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Trinidad.

Other Finding Aids

Listed as no. 615 in Manuscript Collections in Rhodes House Library Oxford, Accessions 1978-1994 (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1996).

Custodial History

Sir John Shaw was first approached by the Oxford Colonial Records Project on 19th September 1963. Between this date and 31st March 1964 the papers came into the custody of his son, Michael.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers were donated to the library by his son, Michael Shaw on 30th April 1964 through the Oxford Colonial Records Project.

Related Materials

Addresses of welcome on inauguration as Governor of Trinidad, 1947 (ref. MSS. Brit. Emp. t. 3)

Title
Papers of Sir John Valentine W. Shaw
Status
Published
Author
Paul Davidson
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom