MARSHALL, Robert Leckie (1913-2008)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0372 MARSHALL
Held at	: Bishopsgate Institute   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/library ›
Full title	: MARSHALL, Robert Leckie (1913-2008)
Date(s)	: 1946-1988
Level of description	: Fonds
Extent	: 6 Boxes
Name of creator(s)	: Marshall | Robert Leckie | 1913-2008 | co-operative activist and educationalist
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Robert Leckie Marshall was born in 1913, in to a Lancastrian mining community. Marshall flourished at school, and went on to study English Literature at the University of St. Andrews. His education was supported by Carnegie Foundation grant, a miners' scholarship and a university bursary. After graduating in 1935, Marshall travelled to America and gained a Masters in Politics from Yale University.

Returning to England in 1937, Marshall was commissioned to the Royal Army Services Corps after the outbreak of the Second World War. In May 1940, Marshall was injured at Dunkirk. After returning home, he joined the Royal Army Education Corps. During his posting at the Home Office, Marshall produced a series of booklets named The British Way and Purpose: an Army handbook of elementary citizenship. This led to his appointment to Commandant at the Army School of Education with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was appointed OBE (Military) in 1945.

Marshall's successes within education system continued when he was headhunted for the position of Principal of the Co-operative and Chief Education Officer of the Co-operative Union. Marshall built partnerships with Nottingham University and other educational institutions to expand the college's curriculum and provide accreditation for the college awards. Marshall became heavily involved in the Co-operative movement, regularly giving speeches and looked to promote co-operative ideals aboard. Marshall went on several Co-operative missions, including those to Tanganyika, Nigeria, India, Kenya, and Thailand. Marshall's enthusiasm and commitment brought him respect and admiration from the over 3,000 students that passed through the Co-operative College during the 30 years he was Principal.

Marshall's association with the Co-operative extended much further than his work with the College; he was elected president of the Co-operative Congress in 1976 and served as editor of the Journal of Society for Co-operative Studies from 1967 to 1995. Marshall went on to serve on many public bodies, including the advisory council (1973-77), and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (1976-82).

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of co-operative activist and educationalist Robert Leckie Marshall, including: drafts of articles written by Marshall, 1946-1968; press cuttings on various topics, including politics, education, religion and the Labour Party, n.d.; speech notes, 1946-1987; miscellaneous papers and correspondence regarding co-operation and the Co-operative College, c 1950-1988.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:

English

System of arrangement:

No further arrangement at present.

Conditions governing access:

Open

Conditions governing reproduction:

Photocopying and digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Finding aids:

Collection level description

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Deposited with Bishopsgate Library by son Robin Marshall in October 2009.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Entry compiled by Stefan Dickers.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
14 August 2010