Contents [ printable ]

GB 141 RP - Rathbone Papers

Letters to Emily Rathbone from Eleanor Florence Rathbone, [1909-1913]. ([1909-1913])

Reference RP XIV.1.1-3
Physical Description 3 letters

Scope and Content

Letters to her mother: personal, comments on her municipal election candidacy (1909); comments on women's suffrage bill in parliament (RP XIV.1.3)


Letter to Eleanor Florence Rathbone from Emily Evelyn Rathbone, [1903]. ([1903])

Reference RP XIV.1.4
Physical Description 1 letter

Scope and Content

Personal; news of family and acquaintances


Letter to Emily Evelyn Rathbone from Eleanor Florence Rathbone, Westminster; 1937. ( 1937)

Reference RP XIV.1.5
Physical Description 1 letter

Scope and Content

Account of coronation of George VI


Circular letters to [family and friends] from Eleanor Florence Rathbone, India; 17 Jan 1932-6 Mar 1932. ( 17 Jan 1932-6 Mar 1932)

Reference RP XIV.1.6-13
Physical Description 9 letters

Scope and Content

Typescript copies of travel notes on Eleanor's tour of India with the franchise committee of the Round Table Conference [on government of India] apparently to be circulated amongst relatives and friends: include discussions concerning question of franchise reform in India; franchise for Indian women

Other Descriptive Data

Available on microfilm


Letter to Eleanor Florence Rathbone from E. Caird, Oxford; [1895]. ( [1895])

Reference RP XIV.1.14
Physical Description 1 letter

Scope and Content

Personal note


Letter to Eleanor Florence Rathbone from Christabel Pankhurst, London; 4 Feb 1910. ( 4 Feb 1910)

Reference RP XIV.1.15
Physical Description 1 letter

Scope and Content

In criticism of letter to newspapers defending prison authorities in their treatment of suffragists


Letter to Eleanor Florence Rathbone from W. Ernest Taylor, Liverpool; 8 Aug 1904. ( 8 Aug 1904)

Reference RP XIV.1.16-17
Physical Description 2 letters

Scope and Content

Typescript copy of letter concerning lease of Nos 1 and 3 York Terrace for the Victoria Womens Settlement; enclosing letter from George Holme (also typescript copy)


Postcards to Eleanor Florence Rathbone from J. Colquitt, Liverpool; 1912-1913. ( 1912-1913)

Reference RP XIV.1.18-20
Physical Description 3 letters

Scope and Content

Postcards reproducing photographs of womens suffrage caravan and camps

Acquisition Information

Deposited by Richard Simon Rathbone in Dec 1987


Letter to Eleanor Rathbone from E. Hampden Jackson, Liverpool; 15 Jun 1914. ( 15 Jun 1914)

Reference RP XIV.1.21
Physical Description 1 letter

Scope and Content

Thanks for support given to the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society

Acquisition Information

Deposited by Richard Simon Rathbone in Dec 1987


Public correspondence and papers: files. (1928-1946)

Reference RP XIV.2
Physical Description 19 files (944 items)

Scope and Content

Files of correspondence and papers on the following subjects; the rights of "Coloured Women in the Colonies", the employment of graduates, university franchise, the Wills and Intestacies (Family Maintenance) Bill, the rights of women in Palestine, opposition to the Nazis, Children's Minimum Council, campaign for award of Nobel Peace Prize to Carl von Ossietzki, concerning Eastern European affairs, the Spanish Civil War, the relief of German refugees in danger of expulsion from Czechoslavakia, the All-Party Parliamentary Action Group, the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, the deportaiton of Poles into the U.S.S.R. and records concerning war-time activities.

Acquisition Information

Deposited by Lady Warr, R. Reynolds and H.P.R. Rathbone in 1954


File of correspondence and related papers concerning rights of coloured women in the colonies. 1928-1938. (1928-1938)

Reference RP XIV.2.1
Physical Description 54 items

Scope and Content

Includes copies of reports of meetings of the Committee for the Protection of Coloured Women in the Colonies (1929- 1931; RP XIV.2.1.1-36 ) investigating conditions and welfare of East African women: with copies of accounts of witnesses/extracts from newspapers and medical journals/medical notes etc presented to the Committee concerning female circumcision (particualrly Kikuyu tribes, Kenya) and other tribal customs; correspondence, notes and reports on slavery in marriage of women within African tribes including memorandum on the subject submitted by Eleanor Rathbone, the Duchess of Atholl and Col. Josiah Wedgwood (RP XIV.2.1.37-54)

Other Descriptive Data

Available on Microfilm


File of correspondence concerning employment of graduates. 1929-1936. (1929-1936)

Reference RP XIV.2.2
Physical Description 7 items

Scope and Content

Includes letters to/copy letters from Eleanor Rathbone concerning preferential treatment by employers to Oxford and Cambridge graduates and survey of unemployment among graduates


File of correspondence and related papers concerning university franchise. 1930-1936. (1930-1936)

Reference RP XIV.2.3
Physical Description 54 items

Scope and Content

Includes correspondence of Eleanor Rathbone and others concerning campaign opposed to the abolition of University Representation as proposed in the Electoral Reform Bill (1930) including printed letters/memoranda stating the case for University Representation; correspondence from various Universities supplying statistics concerning educational background and funding of their students; resolutions/statements of various bodies opposed to the abolition of the University franchise


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the Wills and Intestacies (Family Maintenance) Bill. 1931-1943. (1931-1943)

Reference RP XIV.2.4
Physical Description 15 items

Scope and Content

Includes copy of Eleanor Rathbone's speech on second reading of the Wills and Intestacies (Family Maintenance) Bill (1931) in support of legal obligation on testators to provide for their family; newscuttings concerning second reading; copy of Inheritance (Family Provision) Act, 1938 with correspondence to and from Eleanor Rathbone concerning the act.


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the rights of women in Palestine . 1933-1936. (1933-1936)

Reference RP XIV.2.5
Physical Description 64 items

Scope and Content

Includes correspondence/memoranda concerning the proposal of a Palestine municipal ordinance to withdraw electoral rights of Jewish women in Palestine; correspondence/ memoranda concerning abolition of child marriages in Palestine; papers concerning trip of Eleanor Rathbone and Elizabeth Macadam to Palestine (1934) including copy of Eleanor's speech on the women's movement delivered at Jerusalem, and travel notes of [Macadam]; correspondence/newscuttings concerning possible appointment of women on proposed Royal Commission for Palestine

Other Descriptive Data

Available on Microfilm


File of correspondence and related papers concerning opposition to the Nazis. 1933-1936. (1933-1936)

Reference RP XIV.2.6
Physical Description 16 items

Scope and Content

Includes copies of Eleanor Rathbone's letters to newspapers highlighting persecution by German government of German Jews, Socialists and Pacifists; correspondence, particularly with F.W. Pethick-Lawrence, concerning the work of the Dimitroff Committee in support of victims of fascist oppression in Germany and Austria; correspondence concerning proposals for trade/social boycott of Germany; including printed statement of the British Non-sectarian Anti-Nazi Council of reasons for such a boycott

Other Descriptive Data

Available on Microfilm


File of correspondence and related papers concerning Children's Minimum Council. 1934-1940. (1934-1940)

Reference RP XIV.2.7
Physical Description 19 items

Scope and Content

Includes papers concerning the work of the Children's Minimum Council (later the Children's Nutrition Council)to ensure a minimum standard of healthy living, for the nations's children; particularly to improve standards of nutrition through extensions of free milk provision/ school meal schemes; includes copy of Eleanor Rathbone's speech stating aims of the council; copies of reports/agendas/minutes of council meetings; correspondence concerning the work of the council

Other Descriptive Data

1, 3-19 Available on Microfilm


File of correspondence concerning campaign for award of Nobel Peace Prize to Carl von Ossietzki. 1936. (1936)

Reference RP XIV.2.8
Physical Description 21 items

Scope and Content

Correspondence of Eleanor Florence Rathbone concerning the organisation of a petition requesting that imprisoned German pacifist and publicist Carl von Ossietzki be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize


File of correspondence and related papers concerning Eastern European affairs. 1937. (1937)

Reference RP XIV.2.9
Physical Description 56 items

Scope and Content

Includes memoranda/correspondence concerning lack of support from British government for Eastern European states, such as Czechoslavakia and Rumania; papers concerning visit of Eleanor Rathbone, the Duchess of Atholl and Lady Layton to Eastern Europe to develop friendly relations, including typescript copies of travel notes and reports of cultural relations and interviews held with Czechoslavakian politicians; correspondence following the trip with contacts made in Czechoslavakia and Rumania.


File of papers concerning the Spanish Civil War. 1936-1940 . (1936-1940 )

Reference RP XIV.2.10
Physical Description 70 items

Scope and Content

Fact file of typescript information sheets on Pro-Franco M.P.'s listing their comments made in parliament or to the press pro General Franco/opposed to Spanish government


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the Spanish Civil War. 1936-1939. (1936-1939)

Reference RP XIV.2.11
Physical Description 50 items

Scope and Content

Correspondence and papers concerning British merchant shipping in Spanish waters during the Spanish Civil War, including copy of Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Munitions to Spain) Bill (1936); correspondence and memoranda concerning refugee situation in Northern Spain and problems caused by absence of British ships to deliver supplies/ ship refugees, includes group of letters/telegrams from Commander H. Pursey in Santander to Eleanor Rathbone reporting on refugee situation; reports,memoranda and correspondence concerning attacks on British ships in Spanish ports


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the Spanish Civil War. 1937-1939. (1937-1939)

Reference RP XIV.2.12
Physical Description 58 items

Scope and Content

Correspondence, memoranda and reports concerning work of committees for the relief of Spanish refugees of the Spanish Civil War; includes group of letters to press concernng refugees in Santander; reports and correspondence on Spanish refugee camps in France; correspondence concerning relief of Spanish and Czechoslavakian imprisoned members of the International Brigade


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the Spanish Civil War. 1936-1939. (1936-1939)

Reference RP XIV.2.13
Physical Description 58 items

Scope and Content

Includes reports , memoranda and correspondence on breaches by Germany, Italy and Portugal of the 'Non-Intervention' Pact concerning the Spanish civil war by supplying arms and troops to the rebels; with printed reports of the Committee of Enquiry into Breaches of International Law relating to Intervention in Spain headed by Eleanor Rathbone (Oct 1936and May 1937); correspondence concerning British merchant shipping in Spanish waters; correspondence/memoranda concerning the work of the Parliamentary Committee for Spain to establish truth of events in Spain, particualrly concerning extent of Italian and German intervention.


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the Spanish Civil War. 1936-1939. (1936-1939)

Reference RP XIV.2.14
Physical Description 89 items

Scope and Content

Includes correspondence/memoranda concerning the question of granting belligerent rights to General Franco in the Mediterranean and the question of recognition of Franco's revolutionary government by the British government; correspondence concerning work of British Committee for Refugees from Spain (chaired by Eleanor Rathbone) to release Czech, German and Austrian International Brigade prisoners in Burgos, Spain.


File of correspondence and related papers concerning Czechoslavakian refugees. 1938-1944. (1938-1944)

Reference RP XIV.2.15
Physical Description 47 items

Scope and Content

Correspondence and memoranda concerned with the relief of German refugees in danger of expulsion from Czechoslavakia


File of correspondence and related papers concerning the All-Party Parliamentary Action Group. 1939-1941. (1939-1941)

Reference RP XIV.2.16
Physical Description 75 items

Scope and Content

Papers concerning the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Action Group for private discussion of war-time problems; include correspondence soliciting interest in the group; copies of minutes/resolutions; completed application forms for membership of sub-committees; correspondence concerning invitation of speakers to the group; signed attendance sheets; correspondence concerning lack of communication on war-time issues by government ministers to members of other parties


File of correspondence and related papers concerning refugees to Britain. 1939-1945. (1939-1945)

Reference RP XIV.2.17
Physical Description 65 items

Scope and Content

Includes correspondence and memoranda concerning the work of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees: letters and papers concerning appeals to assist immigration to Britain of Czech refugees through modification of British government policy; reports and correspondence concerning conditions in British internment camps, release of detained refugees and question of employment of aliens, including individual appeals for employment; correspondence and papers concerning problem of anti-Jewish feeling in Britain, including bulletin of the Joint Rescue Committee of Jewish Agency for Palestine


File of correspondence and related papers concerning deportaiton of Poles into the U.S.S.R. 1944-1945. (1944-1945)

Reference RP XIV.2.18
Physical Description 40 items

Scope and Content

Correspondence and memoranda concerning appeals for Polish deportees to the U.S.S.R.


File of correspondence and related papers concerning war-time activities. 1939-1946. (1939-1946)

Reference RP XIV.2.19
Physical Description 86 items

Scope and Content

Includes correspondence and plans of Eleanor Rathbone's scheme to use women members of women's organisations to assist local defence services; correpondence/copies of minutes concerning Eleanor's work on the Central Advisory Committee for the ministry of pensions involved in improvement of war pensions; correspondence concerning proposal of release from service for students approcahing a critical examination; correspondence and memoranda concerning anti-Nazi propaganda in Germany; correspondence concerning letter of sympathy from British Universities to Czechoslavak minister on forced closing of the Charles University, Prague, and on attempts at closer relationship between university members of Parliament and the universities


General papers (1897-1952)

Reference RP XIV.3
Physical Description 111 items

Scope and Content

Copies of speeches and speech notes of Eleanor Rathbone, press cuttings and photographs.

Acquisition Information

Deposited by Lady Warr, R. Reynolds and H.P.R. Rathbone in 1954


Birth certificate. Middlesex; 23 Jul 1872. (23 Jul 1872)

Reference RP XIV.3.1
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Certificate of the birth of Eleanor Rathbone


Draft of Report. [1904]. ([1904])

Reference RP XIV.3.2
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of Eleanor Rathbone's 'Report of an inquiry into the conditions of labour at the Liverpool Docks' (with tables and diagrams by George H. Wood) (incomplete)


File of papers related to Eleanor's candidature in parliamentary elections. 1910-1945. (1910-1945)

Reference RP XIV.3.3
Physical Description 40 items

Scope and Content

Includes election addresses/ circulars to promote candidature of Eleanor Rathbone as Independent candidate in municipal elections, Liverpool, and Combined Universities candidate for parliament; tables of election results 1929,1931; letters of support from various correspondents for her election campaigns as Combined Univeristies representative and for her parliamentary work


File of 'circular letters and addresses to constituents'. 1931-1940. ( 1931-1940)

Reference RP XIV.3.4
Physical Description 15 items

Scope and Content

Printed letters addressed to the graduate electors of the Combined Universities to promote Eleanor Rathbone's parliamentary candidature


Record of parliamentary speeches. 1929-1945. (1929-1945)

Reference RP XIV.3.5
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Set of pages listing in chronological order dates, subject and digests of speeches made/questions asked by Eleanor Rathbone in parliament; subjects include housing; unemployment; India - women; war-time affairs - Spanish civil war, refugees etc


Speech notes: 'Some parliamentary problems of special interest to university graduates'. Sheffield; 24 Oct 1930. (24 Oct 1930)

Reference RP XIV.3.6
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of speech made by Eleanor Rathbone concerning parliamentary problems of special interest to university graduates, read to the B.F.U.W., Sheffield


Speech notes: 'Colonial Office Vote'. House of Commons; 22 Apr 1932. (22 Apr 1932)

Reference RP XIV.3.7
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of Speech made by Eleanor Rathbone concerning the Colonial Office Vote in the House of Commons . Subject : Chinese custom of Sale of Children.


Speech notes: 'Disarmament'. House of Commons; 12 Jul 1932. (12 Jul 1932)

Reference RP XIV.3.8
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescrpit draft of speech made by Eleanor Rathbone to the House of Commons concerning Disarmament with MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'Protest against German Treatment of Jews and Socialists. House of Commons; 13 Apr 1933. (13 Apr 1933)

Reference RP XIV.3.9
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of speech made by Eleanor Rathbone at the House of Commons Easter Adjornment Debate concerning German treatment of Jews and Socialists.


Speech notes: 'Proportional Representation Society, Annual General Meeting'. Caxton Hall; 10 May 1933. (10 May 1933)

Reference RP XIV.3.11
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of speech made by Eleanor Rathbone at Caxton Hall, Annual General Meeting of the Proportional Representation Society concerning Proportional Representation. MS annotations


Speech notes: 'Portrait Presentation'. Liverpool University ; 20 Oct 1933. (20 Oct 1933)

Reference RP XIV.3.12
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

MS draft of Speech given by Eleanor Rathbone at the University of Liverpool on the Presentation of Portrait [by Mrs Mac Cann].


Transcript of Speech: 'Portrait Presentation'. Liverpool University; 20 Oct 1933. (20 Oct 1933)

Reference RP XIV.3.13
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript of Speech given by Eleanor Rathbone at the University of Liverpool on the Presentation of Portrait by Mrs Mac Cann.

Other Descriptive Data

Original at RP XIV.3.12


Speech notes: 'Diarmament - Vote of Censure Debate'. House of Commons; 13 Nov 1933. (13 Nov 1933)

Reference RP XIV.3.14
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of Speech given by Eleanor Rathbone in the House of Commons concerning Disarmament and the vote of Censure Debate. MS annotations


Speech notes: 'Jewish Refugee Problem'. 19 Feb 1934 . (19 Feb 1934 )

Reference RP XIV.3.15
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of Speech by Eleanor Rathbone delivered to the Union of Jewish Women Meeting, 1934. Concerning the Jewish Refugee Problem. MS annotation.


Speech notes: 'Children's Minimum Campaign - Deputation. 27 Mar 1934. (27 Mar 1934)

Reference RP XIV.3.16
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript draft of speech presented by Eleanor Rathbone to the Minister of Labour, Sir H. Betterton concerning the Childern's Minimum Campaign. Calling for a body to be set up to investigate the whole question of living needs and allowances. MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'Foreign Affairs - Economic Sanctions'. 13 Jul 1934. (13 Jul 1934)

Reference RP XIV.3.17
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Typescript of speech by Eleanor Rathbone (not given) concerning Foreign Affairs - Economic Sanctions. To be presented to the Committee of Supply, 1934. Content : economic sanctions should be enforced by all of the nations of the West as a means of collective security.


Speech notes: 'Conference on Industrial Reconstruction'. Putney; 27 Jul 1934. (27 Jul 1934)

Reference RP XIV.3.18
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript Notes of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone to the Conference on Industrial Reconstruction, Putney concerning Political Parties and Economic Trends. MS annotation. Attatchment : newscutting from Manchester Guardian, 30 Jul 1934 'Political Healers : Varying remedies for Economic Sickness' which summarises Eleanor Rathbone's address.


Speech notes: 'The Problem Of Malnutrition'. Liverpool School of Social Science; 24 Jan 1935. (24 Jan 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.19
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript of speech notes of Eleanor Rathbone to the Liverpool School of Social Science concerning the Problem of Malnutrition, particularly in children, in light of the new Unemployment Act. Sub-heading of Malnutrition


Speech notes: 'Runcorn'. 25 Jan 1935. (25 Jan 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.19a
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

MS Draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone at Runcorn.


Speech notes: 'The Unemployment Act'. Oxford University ; 29 Feb 1935. (29 Feb 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.20
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone to Oxford University Political and Economic Society concerning the Unemployment Act. MS annotations


Speech notes for Manchester and Birmingham meeings for the General Election, 1935. Birmingham and Manchester; 4/5 Nov 1935. ( 4/5 Nov 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.21
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech notes of Eleanor Rathbone for Birmingham and Manchester meetings concerning the General Election of 1935. Discusses various topics : University Representation, Unemployment Insurance and the effect upon Graduates and Openings for Graduates.


Speech notes: 'General Election 1935'. London meeting ; 12 Nov 1935. (12 Nov 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.22
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech by Eleanor Rathbone concerning the General Election of 1935. Subject matter : Collective Security, Unemployment Insurance, Women under Insurance and Openings for Graduates. MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'General Election 1935'. London meeting ; 12 Nov 1935. (12 Nov 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.23
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech by Eleanor Rathbone concerning the General Election of 1935. Subject matter : Collective Security and the Arms Question.


Speech notes: 'Election Meetings'. 13 Nov 1935. (13 Nov 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.24
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone at Election Meetings for the candidiates for the East Willesden Constituency - Miss Parnell and the East Fulham Constituency - Mr Wilmot. Subject matter related to the candidates includes : International Affairs, Home Affairs, Milk and Housing Policy. MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'Training College Association Dinner'. Leeds; 16 Nov 1935. (16 Nov 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.25
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone at Training College Association Dinner, Leeds, 1935. Sub-title 'Education'. Subject matter: Teaching and the Training of Teachers. MS annotations .


Speech notes: 'Leeds University Old Students' Association London Branch'. 22 Nov 1935. (22 Nov 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.26
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone to Leeds Univeristy Old Students' Assocation London Branch. Subtitle : 'Leeds -Post Election'. MS annotations .


Speech notes: 'Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society'. 10 Dec 1935. (10 Dec 1935)

Reference RP XIV.3.27
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone to Meeting of the Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society. Expresses surprise that such a movement had not been established before on a subject that concerns us all.


Speech notes: 'Debate on Oil Sanctions'. House of Commons; 24 Feb 1936. (24 Feb 1936)

Reference RP XIV.3.28
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone for Debate on Oil Sanctions. Subject matter : The Example of the USA, Trade embargo on Oil and other materials, which would prolong a war, in USA and Canada, British Government still exporting oil to Italy, the Future of Collective Security. MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'University Franchise Debate'. 26 Feb 1936. (26 Feb 1936)

Reference RP XIV.3.29
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone Private Member's Motion concerning University Franchise Debate. MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'Oil Sanctions'. 6 Apr 1936. (6 Apr 1936)

Reference RP XIV.3.30
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

Transcript draft of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone for the Vote of Censure Debate concerning Oil Sanctions. Sub-title 'Italy'. Subject matter: Oil Sanctions against Italy in relation to American Neutrality. MS annotations.


Speech notes: 'Unemployment Insurance Debate'. 8 Apr 1936. (8 Apr 1936)

Reference RP XIV.3.31
Physical Description 1 item

Scope and Content

MS notes of speech given by Eleanor Rathbone concerning the Unemployment Insurance Debate.