Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1900-1983 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
40 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Maurice Dobb was born in London and admitted to Pembroke College in 1919 as an exhibitioner to study history. However after his first year in Cambridge he changed the subject of his studies to economics and gained firsts in both parts of the tripos in 1921 and 1922. After two years at the London School of Economics in a research post and producing his PhD he returned to Cambridge to take up a post as University lecturer in 1924, also teaching at his old college.
The controversy surrounding his divorce from his first wife Phyllis, whom he had married in 1923, and his devotion to Marxian economics contributed to his losing his dining rights and his students. However, Dobb soon found a position at Trinity College, keeping his connection with the college for 50 years, although he was not to be offered a fellowship until 1948. He did not receive a University readership until 1959.
Dobb published widely. Interest in his work from eastern Europe, Italy and Japan meant that his works were often translated into a number of languages. Political Economy and Capitalism (1937) and Studies in the Development of Capitalism (1946) are, perhaps, his best known works. After their completion, he collaborated for many years with Piero Sraffa on the latter's comprehensive edition of the works of David Ricardo.
Repository
Archival history
The substantial part of the archive was in Dobb's possession on his death. However some items, mostly correspondence, were collected by Brian Pollitt, Dobb's literary executor, after his death.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The papers were passed to Trinity in 1983 by Dr Brian Pollitt, Dobb's literary executor.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Personal and family papers 1900-1981; correspondence 1919-1976; manuscripts of publications [1920]-78; lectures c 1919-76; collected publications of others c 1930-1976; material relating to the Communist Party of Great Britain 1922-1976.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
Dobb's diaries were given to the library by Dr Pollitt at a somewhat later date than the rest of the archive
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
This material is open for research unless otherwise stated.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Some papers relating to Dobb's collaboration with Piero Sraffa on 'The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo' can be found amongst the papers of Piero Sraffa in Trinity College Library.