Papers of Hilda Seligman

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 7HSE
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 7/XX49; 7/XXX49
  • Dates of Creation
      1944-c.1952
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      0.25 A box (1 folder)

Scope and Content

The archive consists of correspondence, publications and press cuttings relating to Seligman's work to provide mobile health vans in India and her travels in Africa. Photographs were transferred to the Museum Collection.

The file comprises:

*Booklet sold in aid of the work of the Skippo Fund by Seligman, Hilda. 'Asoka, Emperor of India', London: Arthur Probsthain, 1947.

*Booklet for children by Seligman, Hilda. 'Skippo of Nonesuch', London: John and Edward Bumpus Ltd, 1944. With illustrations by the author, (2 copies).

*Printed leaflet of the Skippo Fund 'Messages from India', describing the work of the Asoka-Akbar mobile health vans (c. 1946). The vans treated ailments, gave information on health and sanitation, and taught first aid.

*Printed information sheet about the Skippo Fund, with a photograph of a unit on the reverse, (c.1946).

*3 press cuttings about a Children's Fete held in aid of the Skippo Fund at the Seligman's house in Wimbledon, Sep 1948 (originally held in envelope addressed to Mr and Mrs Paddon).

*Letter to Mrs Paddon from Hilda Seligman written from Delhi, 28 Jan 1947, describing a visit to Delhi and the All India Women's Conference.

*Letter to Hillary and John Paddon from Hilda Seligman, written on notepaper of the Treetops Hotel, Kenya, 4 Mar 1952.

*Typescript account 'A strange coincidence', by Richard Seligman, 12 Mar 1952.

*Pamphlet 'The rise of the women's movement in Indonesia', London: Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, (c. 1952).

*Typescript account 'The Warrior Piano', about a piano presented to Hilda Seligman's son, abandoned during the war in Padua, found again in 1948 and restored by Hilda Seligman.

Administrative / Biographical History

Hilda Mary Seligman (fl. 1936-1947) founded the "Skippo" Fund, which supplied the first health vans to serve isolated villages in India and Pakistan. The Fund's 'Asoka-Akbar Mobile Health Vans' were given to the All India Women's Conference to administer. She was the author of three small books: When Peacocks Called (1940), Skippo of Nonesuch (1943), Asoka, Emperor of India (1947).

Access Information

This collection is available for research. Readers are advised to contact The Women's Library in advance of their first visit.

Acquisition Information

The collection was deposited in 1999 as an outright gift.

Other Finding Aids

Fonds Description (1 folder only)

Related Material

Related photographs deposited are held in the Museum collection at the Women's Library.

Geographical Names