Cornwall History and Place

Professor Adrian Lee was an academic, researcher and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Human Sciences at University of Plymouth during the 1990s. Lee’s central research focus was Cornish Nationalism and comparative movements in the 1980s and 1990s.

This Collection of records collated by Lee as part of his research contains newspaper cuttings, research papers, letters and electoral ephemera relating to Cornish politics and comparative movements. Particular themes include the political party Mebyon Kernow, Cornish nationalism and the campaign for a Cornish European Constituency.

This Collection will appeal to those with an interest in Cornish politics and the place of Cornwall within Europe in the latter part of the 20th century.

Materials from this Collection can be viewed by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

This collection is fully catalogued and listed on our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Canon John Herbert Adams MA had a lifelong interest in history, genealogy and antiquarian research. From 1930 until beyond retirement Adams pursued two major research projects. The first was an attempt to create a definitive account of medieval chapels in Cornwall including detailed historical research into existing churches, and disused and demolished chapels. The second project was a historical and genealogical investigation into Theodore Palaeologus (1560-1637), whose burial brass is in the church of Landulph.

This Collection contains records relating to these two projects which include detailed research notes, plans, photographs, sketches of churches, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, details of archaeological finds, critical analysis of sources and multiple drafts of the manuscript titled 'Theodore Palaeologus "The Greek Prince of Cornwall".

This Collection will appeal to those with an interest in history, Cornwall or religious architecture.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: The Estate of Canon Adams.

Edwin Chirgwin (1892 -1960) was a Cornish Bard and Headmaster of St Cleer School from 1926 until his retirement in 1956. During his spare time, Chirgwin indulged in his passion for the Cornish past, writing about Cornish folklore, local stories, language, poetry and historic events. A regular contributor to newspapers and publications, Chirgwin also gave lectures, produced instructive booklets on the Cornish language and translations of religious texts such as hymns and books from the bible.

This Collection includes a variety of written material in English, Cornish, and Cornish dialect, focusing on Cornish history and culture including poetry, lectures, essays, translations and stories. A further highlight of the Collection is a scrapbook of the Parish of St Cleer and the surrounding area recording places, people and landscape which includes photographs and detailed notes by Chirgwin.

This Collection has a strong appeal for those studying Cornish history, identity and place.

This Collection is fully catalogued and listed on our Archive catalogue.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

The Cornwall Archaeological Society (CAS) was founded in 1961. Originally the West Cornwall Field Club, the Society today participates in research, fieldwork projects and public events.

This Collection contains records relating to the the Society from 1930s through to the 1980s including minutes, accounts, journals and correspondence relating to excavations which they were involved with.

These records will be of value to those with interest in Archaeology in Cornwall, or sites of historical interest.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

This Collection is fully catalogued and listed on our Archive Catalogue.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

'Family Farming in West Penwith, 1919-1939' was the first project undertaken by the Institute of Cornish Studies as part of a programme of oral history.

The subject of the project was selected not only due to the importance of agriculture to a rural region such as Cornwall, but also due to the importance of West Penwith as an area of numerous small family farms of thirty acres or less with its own distinctive economy and relationships. This Collection contains records relating to the administration of this project alongside recordings and transcripts of the interviews.

This invaluable snapshot of farming and life in Cornwall is a great resource for those interested in social history, geography and agriculture in the inter-war years.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

Digitisation of these recordings and cataloguing of this Collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

For more information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

In 1979 and 1983 the Institute of Cornish Studies undertook a project to document the Cornish experience of the General Elections in these years. The resulting archive contains letters and newscuttings, alongside election ephemera relating to the various political parties, candidates and constituencies in Cornwall during these two Elections.

These records highlight both issues of local importance through the 1970s and 1980s as well as a Cornish perspective on matters of National significance.

This Collection will appeal to those with an interest in politics in the Thatcher era, as well as broad Cornish issues such as language, nationalism, economics and industry.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

William John Keast (1913-1990) was born and grew up in Fowey, Cornwall. Keast wrote a number of books on Cornish history and places which included 'The Story of Fowey' - the first full length account of this ancient port.

Alongside manuscripts for both his published and unpublished works, this Collection also contains extensive research materials. These include handwritten notes, news cuttings, maps, leaflets, notices, correspondence, illustrations and photographs.

This Collection is of immediate appeal to those with an interest in the History of Cornwall.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: The Estate of John Keast.

John Rowe (1915-2004) was born at Redgate, Bodmin Moor. He studied Modern History at Brazenose College Oxford and went on to lecture on American and British Imperial History at Liverpool University. He also taught in the United States and spent time as a research fellow in South Africa. Rowe would also go on to research and publish material on Cornish history in particular farming, mining and immigration.

Alongside the unpublished manuscript for the book 'Farmers and Frontiersmen' this Collection includes research materials, photographs and recordings.

This Collection will have an immediate appeal to those with an interest in the History of Cornwall.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: Estate of John Rowe.

Justin Brooke was an industrial historian, mining enthusiast, researcher, author and Cornish Bard.

This exhaustive encyclopedic index researched, written and compiled by Brooke details the many mining companies across Cornwall from the 16th century until the late 20th Century. Entries are arranged by parish and include details of mining operations, personnel and the history of specific sites. This Collection also contains Brooke's extensive research files which include news-cuttings, reports and plans alongside correspondence, newsletters, manuscripts and a thesaurus of mining terms.

This comprehensive resource will appeal to those interested in mining activity in Cornwall, as well as those investigating site-based research.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: Estate of Justin Brooke.

The Reverend Alfred Lane-Davies was the Vicar of St Cleer parish on Bodmin Moor. He became a Bard of Gorsedh Kernow in 1947 taking the bardic name 'Car Fentynyow' - lover of wells.

This Collection consists of the draft manuscript for his seminal text 'The Holy Wells of Cornwall' published by the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies in 1970 and includes prints of the photographs used to illustrate this text.

This Collection has a strong appeal for those interested in Cornish History & Historical sites.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections on Level 0, The Exchange.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: Federation of Old Cornwall Societies.

Leonard Truran (1926-1997) was a head teacher, political activist, publisher and Cornish bard. These papers mainly relate to the work of Mebyon Kernow from the mid 1960s to 1980, the time of Truran’s heaviest involvement with the organisation.

The main series of administrative files contain correspondence, minutes, press cuttings and campaign material relating to Mebyon Kernow’s activities as a pressure group running campaigns to protect and promote Cornish identities, culture, language, landscape and political autonomy, and their transition to become a political party fielding candidates at General elections. There are also records relating to the work of other Cornish nationalist organisations.

This Collection will appeal to those with an interest in Cornish history and identity, Cornish nationalism and the social and political issues affecting Cornwall during this period and beyond.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections on Level 0 of The Exchange.

This collection is fully catalogued and listed on our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

Further records relating to both Mebyon Kernow and Len Truran are available at Kresen Kernow.

For more information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: Mebyon Kernow.

Mary Mann (1928-2005) was a resident of Falmouth and a committed supporter of the Liberal Party.

This Collection consists of assorted papers relating to the Falmouth & Camborne Liberal Association and other Liberal organisations both in Cornwall and nationally. Reflecting the everyday work of a party supporter, materials include minute books, agendas, reports, manifestos, newsletters, correspondence and Liberal Party publications along with campaign and promotional materials from the 1950s-1980s.

These papers highlight the role of women in local politics and have a strong appeal for those interested in politics in the South West during this period.

Subject to Data Protection legislation, materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

This collection is fully catalogued and listed on our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: Hayle Liberal Association.

Royston Green (d.2002) was a teacher, political activist and bard of Gorsedh Kernow.

With an interest in politics from an early age, Green was a member of the Communist Party in Cornwall, secretary of the Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League in the 1960s and was active within Mebyon Kernow. Green was also an advocate for Celtic languages having studied both Welsh and Cornish.

This Collection largely consists of a variety of research materials and notes collected and compiled by Green relating to both his politics interests and the history of Cornwall including the Cornish economy, industry, transport and language. Records relating to Green's work with the Celtic league are also represented in minutes, correspondence, press cuttings and publications.

The majority of Green’s papers relating to his work for the Celtic League are held at the National Library of Wales. Papers relating to Green’s work for the Communist Party of Great Britain are held at the Marx Memorial Library.

This Collection has a strong appeal for those studying Cornish politics, language and Celtic identities.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

This collection is fully catalogued and listed on our Archive Catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

The majority of Green’s papers relating to his work for the Celtic League are held at the National Library of Wales. Papers relating to Green’s work for the Communist Party of Great Britain are held at the Marx Memorial Library.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: Estate of Royston Green.

The Archives & Special Collection Service is delighted to hold the personal papers of Captain R A Thomas and other members of this prominent Cornish mining family.

This important Collection documents over 100 years of mining history, containing a variety of institutional records for Cornish mining companies such as Dolcoath, South Crofty and Geevor. The Collection also includes a selection of rare and historic mining texts and letter books alongside correspondence, plans, reports, pamphlets, prospectuses, maps, samples of mineral & ores, newscuttings and photographs.

This Collection is of particular interest to those researching the history of mining in Cornwall. The records also have broader appeal for those interested in the changes to Cornwall's industrial and physical landscape throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, or those seeking inspiration for their own creative work.

Materials from this Collection are available to view by appointment with us in Archives & Special Collections, Level 0, The Exchange.

Cataloguing on this collection is in progress. For updates please check our Archive catalogue.

Potential users may find it beneficial to undertake preparatory research prior to a visit. Suggested resources are available at Archives & Special Collections: Introductory Reading.

Titles from this Collection can be browsed on the Library catalogue.

For further information please contact us at archives@fxplus.ac.uk

Photo Credit: The Thomas family.