IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0122 G and G/G
Held at: Westminster Diocesan Archives
Title: GODFREY, Cardinal William (1889-1963): Archbishop of Westminster
Date(s): [1956-1962]
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 83 boxes
Name of creator(s): Godfrey | William | 1889-1963 | Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Born Liverpool, 25 September 1889. He was educated at Ushaw and at the Venerable English College, where he was ordained in 1916 during the First World War. He gained his Doctorate the following year. He then taught Classics, Philosophy and Theology at Ushaw for 12 years.
In 1930 he was appointed Rector of the College where during the next 8 years he watched Mussolini's rise to power. He was known affectionately to his students despite his strictness as 'Uncle Bill'.
In 1938 he became the first Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain, Gibraltar and Malta and he served in this post with such discretion that in 1953, long after the war, he became Archbishop of Liverpool and Archbishop of Westminster 1956-1962. He was created Cardinal Priest of Santi Nereo e Achilleo on 15 December 1958. He died in London on 22 January 1963 aged 73.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of William Godfrey as Archbishop of Westminster, [1956-1962], including material on the Holy See; Bishop's conferences; synods; religious orders; Vicars General and Chaplaincies; Papal Encyclicals; ecclesiastical and diocesan matters; moral, social and political issues; ecumenism; media, communications and publications; foreign countries; national and international institutions; government; embassies; hospitals; trusts, foundations and communities; lectures; homilies; patronages; personal correspondence; staff; invitations; education; visits and finance.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Original order.
Conditions governing access:
Mostly open, some items are closed under the Data Protection Act, for more details consult the Archivist. Consultation by appointment only between 12:00-5:00, Mondays and Wednesdays. Call: 0207 938 3580 or email: archivist@rcdow.org.uk for appointments.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies, subject to condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only on the undertaking of a copyright declaration. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Westminster Roman Cathlic Diocesan Trustees.
Finding aids:
Subject index available in the Archive's reading room.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Received by the Archive from Archbishop's House.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Compiled by Sarah Drewery.
Sources: http://www.rcdow.org.uk/
Date(s) of descriptions: Sep 2008