Arquivo BABS - Papers of Constance Babington Smith

54 boxes; paper

On their arrival in the Library the papers were put into 54 archival boxes. A few trivial items—printed instructions for a household appliance, a jewellery case, a gift tag, blank stationery, etc.—were discarded, as were the suspension files containing some of the papers, though their labels were kept. The contents of some large files were divided between two boxes. An inventory of the contents of the boxes was made on 24 February 2016.

Most of these papers were collected from the house of Major James Babington Smith on 18 June 2015. The folder labelled 'TESTING TIME' arrived on its own a few weeks later.

The papers include personal and professional correspondence; photographs; cuttings of articles and reviews, both by Babington Smith and on her own life and works; texts of talks and addresses given; and poetry. There is a great deal of material relating to her biographies of Amy Johnson, John Masefield, Iulia de Beausobre (Lady Namier), and Margery Blackie. Particularly notable is the material relating to her cousin Rose Macaulay; Babington Smith edited three volumes of Macaulay's letters, as well as writing a biography of her, and the collection includes photographs and other Macaulay family papers. Also well-represented is Babington Smith's interest in Greek Orthodox Christianity, with correspondence, research and religious papers.

See the attached inventory for further details.

NOTE. These papers have not yet been catalogued, but small quantities can be made available for consultation provided at least a fortnight's notice is given. It may be that some items, owing to their contents or condition, cannot yet be produced. Please contact the Library for further details.

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These papers have not yet been catalogued, but a detailed inventory of them has been made. See the attached PDF.