Although R.A. Butler's private papers are in Trinity College, Cambridge, because of his role as Chairman of the Conservative Research Department (1945-61) and Chairman of the Conservative Party Organisaion (1959-61), the CPA contains a small collection of his papers. The bulk of the collection is from his years as President of the Board of Education (1941-44) and Minister of Education (1944-5). This includes correspondence and files on the Education Act of 1944. Other papers from this period include correspondence on India.
The collection includes boxes (CPP/RAB/6-20) of outgoing correspondence (1946-61) which has been arranged chronologically, and finally a box of speech notes from his period as Home Secretary (1956-61). The Education files, the India files and speech notes contain detailed contents lists at the beginning of each file. Also see CRD 2/32/1-18 for the Post-War Problems. Sub-Committee on Education.
The collection includes boxes (CPP/RAB/6-20) of outgoing correspondence (1946-61) which has been arranged chronologically, and finally a box of speech notes from his period as Home Secretary (1956-61). The Education files, the India files and speech notes contain detailed contents lists at the beginning of each file. Also see CRD 2/32/1-18 for the Post-War Problems. Sub-Committee on Education.
Dates
- 1937-1967
Extent
46 shelfmarks
Language of Materials
- English
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, Conservative Party Archive [followed by shelfmark, e.g. CPP/RAB/1/1].
Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.
Full range of shelfmarks:
CPP/RAB/1-21
Collection ID (for staff)
CPA CPP/RAB
Abstract
Papers of R.A. Butler, Chairman of the Conservative Research Department (1945-61) and Chairman of the Conservative Party Organisation (1959-61), 1937-1967.
Biographical / Historical
Richard Austen Butler, Baron Butler of Saffron Walden (1902-1982) was Chairman of the Conservative Research Department, 1945-61, and Chairman of the Conservative Party Organisation, 1959-61. Details are given in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
Custodial History
The archive of the Conservative Party was established as a source for academic study at the Bodleian Library in 1978 by an agreement made between the University of Oxford and the Conservative Party, and brought together surviving historic papers of the Party previously held in various locations including Newcastle University Library and the former Conservative Central Office in Smith Square, London. Since 1996, ownership of the archive has been vested in the Conservative Party Archive Trust. The archive includes records from all three areas of Party organisation: parliamentary, voluntary and professional.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Conservative Party.
- 20th century
- Butler | Richard Austen | 1902-1982 | Baron Butler of Saffron Walden | statesman
- Conservative Party | Conservative Research Department
- Conservative Party | Organisation Department
- Conservative Party | party officials
- Correspondence
- Education
- Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Great Britain | Board of Education
- India
- Political planning
- Speeches, addresses, etc.
- Title
- Conservative Party Archive: Papers of R.A. Butler
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Emily Tarrant
- Date
- 2004
- 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
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk