The Colonial Service: The Experience of Governors' Wives
Two boxes containing a project summary written by Lady Trethowan and the responses from the wives of thirteen Governors and Resident Commissioners. Subjects covered include reactions to becoming a Governor's wife, running Government House, dealing with domestic staff and entertaining, voluntary activities, race relations and decolonisation, family life, health, and education, between the years 1948 and 1982.
Dates
- Creation: c. 1989
Extent
0.09 linear metres (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
- English
Conditions Governing Access
Some material is closed.
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 529/1, folder 1, fols. 1-2].
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 529/1-2
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 2063
Abstract
The Colonial Service: the Experience of Governors' Wives, as collected by Lady Trethowan and completed in 1989.
Biographical / Historical
Heather Dalton (now Lady Trethowan) set up a project to record the experiences of expatriate wives in the Gold Coast (Ghana). While this was in its final stages, Mrs Dalton decided to contact selected wives of Colonial Governors to set up a similar project to record their experiences. The wives of thirteen Governors and Resident Commissioners, many from the Pacific Ocean islands and the West Indies, responded to her invitation to reflect upon their lives as colonial 'First Ladies' under many different circumstances. Mrs Dalton's report, based on these reminiscences, was completed in 1989.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Heather Dalton on 31 Jul 1989.
- Title
- Catalogue of the Colonial Service: The Experience of Governors' Wives
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Original Catalogue by Clare Brown.
- Date
- 1992; EAD version 2023
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- Second edition.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
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