Registry of Bedford College

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0505 BC AR200-283
Held at	: Royal Holloway, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/archives ›
Full title	: Registry of Bedford College
Date(s)	: 1849-1985
Level of description	: Subfonds View parent record
Extent	: 439 boxes and 14 volumes or 4.41 cubic metres
Name of creator(s)	: Bedford College | Lady Resident Bedford College | Principal's Office Bedford College | Registry
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Until the grant of a Royal Charter in 1909, Bedford College had no modern administration system, relying instead on the good offices of several volunteers. With the move to Regent's Park in 1911-1913, the burden on the Secretary became too great, and the salaried offices of Bursar and Registrar were created in 1913. The Registrar's Department was concerned with all matters affecting the students and their studies, such as registration, academic development and student administration. From 1913 to 1945 and 1981-1985 the post of Registrar was combined with that of the Principal's Secretary.

Previous to this, files relating to individual students and the classes attended were kept in the Principal's Office. Before the appointment of a Principal in 1892, the Lady Resident kept details of fees and pupils. In 1888, student registers dating back to 1849 were compiled by Henrietta Busk.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Student records, 1849-1985, including student register books, 1849-[1985]; the Lady Resident's private Memoranda Book, 1867-1871; student files containing personal details on each student, 1890-[1985]; student register book, with courses attended, 1893-1900; alphabetical list of students (1938-1939 missing), 1936-1938, 1940-1984; printed pamphlets containing lists of students from 1849-[1985]; register of student courses, 1856-1872; lists of classes attended by students, 1872-1875 and 1895-1905; lists of students arranged by course, 1936-1968; student entrance forms, 1892-1905, and annual lists of students accepted for admission, 1947-1965; student reports, with notes on scholarships and grades, 1892-1969; lists of degree results and further training of students, 1947-1968; Students' Marriage Book, 1922-1967, 1970; list of female graduates of the University of London, 1879-1899; lists of students living in College residences, 1967-1985; correspondence relating to the award of the Associateship of Bedford College, 1896-1906. Examination Records, 1877-1985, including a register of University of London Graduates, 1879-1899; bound lists of examination results, 1898-1967; register book of Certificate Examinations taken by Bedford College students, 1892-1915; register book of Hygiene Certificate students, 1895-1915; University Gazette pass lists, 1919-1985; examination papers for various subjects, 1877-1878 and 1936-1982; papers relating to Entrance Examinations for Bedford College, 1936-1973. Papers relating to Scholarships and Prizes, 1886-1985, notably material relating to the Bedford College Entrance Scholarship, 1886, and 1908; papers relating to the award of College prizes, 1968-1985; papers relating to the award of bursaries to attend the Annual Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1968-1984; papers relating to the award of scholarships, 1968-1985; papers relating to the College Board of Examiners, 1966-1983. College publications, notably prospectus leaflets, 1902-1908 and booklets, 1920-1984; printed timetables, 1893, 1947-1948 and 1953-1957; incomplete set of printed College Calendars, 1888-1968. Material relating to Visitation records and student statistics, namely Registrar's papers concerning University Grants Committee Visitations, 1969 and 1978; Registrar's papers relating to Quinquennial planning, 1977-1982; Universities Central Council on Admission Financial Statements, 1976-1982. Correspondence and committee papers, including material relating to Bedford College Union Society and student activities, 1969-1980, notably student representation on the Academic Board; Bedford College Council, 1955-1984; Bedford College Governors' Meetings, 1967-1984; Bedford College Secretary's Meetings, 1976-1982; the Academic Board, 1971-1973 and 1980-1981, including papers on its structure; Bedford College Faculties, 1956-1984; College Departments, 1968-1978; Council Standing Committees, notably the Library Committee, 1971-1982, the Finance Committee, 1972-1984, the House Committee, 1969-1972, the Premises Committee, 1969-1972, the Staff-Student Joint Committee, 1971-1983, and the Space Utilisation Committee, 1967-1983; Sub-Committees on Occasional Students, 1968-1971, Vacation Grants, 1970-1982, Student Counselling, Welfare and discipline, 1965-1985, General Services, 1979-1981, and Halls of Residence, 1968-1981; working parties, especially on the Development Appeal, 1977-1981, and teaching loads, 1969 and 1978; relations with the University of London, notably relating to the Academic Council, 1969-1982, and Committees, 1968-1975, and the University of London Joint Working Party on Decentralisation, 1982; relations with other University of London Colleges, and the merger with Royal Holloway College, 1972-1985, including Committees on academic co-ordination, administrative structure and joint planning.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

The papers are broadly arranged in files according to subject.

Conditions governing access:

Administrative and Committee papers are closed for 30 years from the last date on file. Papers relating to individuals are usually closed for 100 years from the subject's birth. Users are advised to consult the College Archivist for specific details.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the Archivist.

Finding aids:

'A catalogue of the Archives of Bedford College (University of London), 1849-1985' by Claire Gobbi Daunton and Elizabeth Bennett, 1987.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Student records were previously in the Principal's Office. The papers were transferred from the Bedford College Archives when the College merged with Royal Holloway in 1985.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Allied Materials

Related material:

The Royal Holloway, University of London Archives hold a cassette and typescript of an interview with Norah McNaulty, former Registrar of Bedford College, 1984 (BC RF140/1/1), and photographs of various Registrars (BC PH1).

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

A history of Bedford College for Women, 1849-1937 (Oxford University Press, London, 1939), by Dame Margaret Jansen Tuke; Educating women: a pictorial history of Bedford College, University of London, 1849-1985 (Alma Publishers, Surrey, 1991), by Dr Linna Bentley.

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the AIM25 project.

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:
Apr 2000