Archive of William Basil Worsfold

Collection

The collection is concerned almost entirely with Worsfold's association with Milner until the latter's death in 1925. Included is correspondence while Worsfold was Editor of the Johannesburg Star, including letters from Milner; drafts and other papers connected with a biography of Milner; notes and extracts taken from Milner's diaries and correspondence; and articles about the Doullens Conference (held on 26 Mar 1918), in which Milner took part.

The collection also contains articles by Worsfold on Imperial questions that appeared in the Nineteenth Century.

Dates

Creation: 1902-1933

Extent

0.5 linear metres (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 402/1, folder 1, fol. 1].

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Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 402/1-5

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 5031

Additional Description

Abstract

Archive of William Basil Worsfold.

Biographical / Historical

William Basil Worsfold was born on 5 Dec 1858 in Yorkshire, England. He was educated at St. Peter's, York; Wakefield School; and University College, Oxford, and was called to the Bar in 1887. From 1891 to 1900, he lectured on Economics and Literature for the Oxford Extension Delegates and London Joint Board. During these years, he published seven books, of which three were concerned with the history of Africa.

In 1904, he was appointed editor of the Johannesburg Star, a post that brought him into close contact with Lord Milner, High Commissioner for South Africa. When Milner retired in 1905, Worsfold too returned to England and, in 1909, he bought a house in Kent not far from Sturry Court, where Milner was living.

Worsfold died on 26 Sep 1939.

Other Finding Aids

Listed as no. 408 and 436 in Manuscript Collections (Africana and non-Africana) in Rhodes House Library, Oxford, Supplementary accessions to the end of 1977 and Cumulative Index, compiled by Wendy S. Byrne (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1978).