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GB 141 JBC - Josephine Butler Collection
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Josephine Butler Collection

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This material is held atUniversity of LiverpoolSpecial Collections and Archives
Reference Number(s)GB 141 JBC
Dates of Creation1853-1906 (c. 1976)
Name of CreatorButler, Josephine Elizabeth (1828-1906)nee Grey ; Josephine Butler Memorial House
Language of MaterialEnglish
Physical DescriptionCa. 14 boxes and 250 volumes of books and pamphlets

Scope and Content

The Josephine Butler Collections comprise the Josephine Butler Papers (JB), including correspondence, personal papers, paintings, portraits, photographs and memorabilia of Josephine Elizabeth Butler, dating from 1853-1906, with memorials of her death and the centenary of her birth, and the archive of Josephine Buttler Memorial House(JBMH).The Josephine Butler Memorial House Archive contains administrative records, examination results, papers relating to the syllabus of training courses, House publications, scrapbooks and photographs of staff buildings dating from 1920-1976.

Biographical and Administrative History

Josephine Elizabeth Butler, nee Grey(13 April 1828 - 30 December 1906) was born to a prosperous and progressive Northumbrian family, whose high social standing, religious activities and wide intellectual contacts formed the background to a life of campaigning for the treatment of men and women as individuals equally deserving of respect, and bound by the same moral standards. The feminist concerns and devout Christianity which she shared with her husband, the Reverend George Butler, informed both her work in support of the higher education of women, in which she worked closely with Anne Jemima Clough and Millicent Garrett Fawcett, and her leadership of the campaign for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts (1864-1869) in Britain and its colonies. After the repeal of the Acts in April 1886, she continued her opposition to the official regulation of prostitution in Europe and America through her leading role in the International Federation for the Abolition of State Regulation of Vice.

After JEB's death the Josephine Butler Memorial House was set up to promulgate and maintain"the cardinal principles of the International Abolitionist Federation as laid down by its founder Josephine Butler" specifically by providing training for women to become professional administrators in the field of social welfare. The Memorial House was governed by a Council, approved by the Archbishops' Advisory Board for Preventive and Rescue Work and, by the terms of the constitution, not less than two-thirds of the students were to be Anglicans. From its inception, the Memorial House had a close connection with the University of Liverpool, which was represented on the Council, employing lecturers from the University and encouraging its best students to take the University Social Science Certificate. Following the post-war expansion in health and welfare services, the syllabus at the House was revised and updated, but it struggled to gain recognition for its courses as the social services were professionalized. In 1970 the decision was taken to shut the House, and after a brief period as a residential hostel, the house closed at the end of the summer term in 1974.

Arrangement

The Josephine Butler collections are arranged into two separate archives, the Josephine Butler papers (JB) and Josephine Butler Memorial House (JBMH)

The Josephine Butler Papers (JB) are arranged in three parts

  1. Correspondence and Personal Papers
  2. Artwork and Artefacts
  3. Death and Centenary Celebrations

The Josephine Butler Memorial House Archive is arranged in to four parts

  1. Administrative Records
  2. Students and Training
  3. Publicity
  4. Photographs and Artefacts

Access Conditions

Access is open to bona fide researchers

Copyright / Reproduction Conditions

Reproduction and licensing rules available on request

Acquisition Information

The Josephine butler Collections were received in three main deposits, c.360 letters and personal papers of Josephine Elizabeth Butler (formerly Butler MSSS I) presented by her grandson, A.S.G. Butler, in 1958, and a further c. 215 letters, together with paintings, portraits, photographs and memorabilia, transfered from Josephine Butler Memorial House in September 1974 and January 1975 (Formerly butler MSS III, part of III A, IIB and II C). The archive of Josephine Butler Memorial House was transferred to the University of Liverpool, via the Archdeacon of Liverpool, in January 1975 and December 1976 A small number have letters were purchased.

Custodial History

The Records had previously been in the custody of the Butler family and of Josephine Butler Memorial House

Accruals

There are no anticipated accruals

Processing Information

The Josephine Butler papers were originally listed by Enid Morberly Bell, for this list see JB/3/5/5.

Finding Aids

A finding aid is available for consultation in the reading room.

Location of Originals

Both JB and JBMH are original material, the originals of the Josephine Butler Society library that we a hold on microfiche are held at the Fawcett Library, London Guildhall University (now the Women's Library)

Copies in other formats

Readers are requested to use the IDC/Fawcett Library microfiche of the Josephine Butler letter Collections (SPEC Microcard 120) for all materials available in this form. Letters from Josephine Butler with callmarks JB 1/1 [date](I) will routinely be produced in microfiche form.

Most of the materials received from A.S.G. Butler in 1958 were microfilmed for the IDC/Fawcett Library Josephine Butler Letter Collection on microfiche

Related Material

The Josephine Butler Society Library at The Fawcett Library, London Guildhall University (now the Women's Library) includes correspondence, drawings, paintings and photographs of Josephine Butler, and copies of books and pamphlets written by her

Leeds University Library hold 28 letters from Josephine Butler to Hannah and Emily Ford.

St Andrews University Library hold an album of c.100 items compiled by one of Josephine Butler's sons, consisting of mainly letters to Josephine or George Butler.

Northumberland Record Office hold letters and diaries of Josephine Butler, part of the Grey family archives.

There are correspondence between JEB and Benjamin Jowett's first biographer in the Jowett papers at Balliol College Library, Oxford University.

Student Records for former students of Josephine Butler Memorial House are held at Church House, and parts of the library not transfered to Liverpool University Library are held by the Anglican Cathedral of Liverpool Library

Associated Material

Details of copies of many of JEB's published books and pamphlets may be found in the catalogue of Liverpool University Library and the records can be searched as a group under the local call number Spec Butler. Copy notes give provenance information, identifying books and pamphlets which formed part of the JBMH Library(see also the hahandlist for the JBMH archive), before and after the bequest from George Grey Butler's estate, and those which have presentation inscriptions by JEB.

Control Access Headings

Subjects

Women social reformersGreat Britain
ProstitutesGreat BritainSocial Conditions 19th century

Personal Names

Butler, Josephine Elizabeth (1828-1906) nee Grey Feminist and Social Reformer

Corporate Names

Josephine Butler Memorial HouseLiverpool

Geographical Names

Liverpool EnglandGoogle Maps
Liverpool England Social ConditionsGoogle Maps
Great Britain Social Conditions 19th CenturyGoogle Maps

Cataloguing Info

TitleJosephine Butler Collections1803-1906 and 1920-1976
AuthorKaty hooper
Publication University of Liverpool, Special Collections and Archives 1998
CreationCreated using Adeptedit SGML authoring software1998
Language UsageThe Finding aid is written inEnglish
Revisions
October 2004 & January 2007
  • File Modified

Papers of Josephine Butler

Reference Number(s)JB
Dates of Creation1853-1906
Physical Description5 boxes and 3 oversized folders

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection

Conditions Governing Use

Readers are requested to use the IDC/Fawcett Library microfiche of the Josephine Butler Letter Collection (SPEC Microcard 120) for all materials available in this form. Letters from Josephine Butler with callmarks JB 1/1 [date](I) will routinely be produced in microfiche form

Acquisition Information

The Josephine Butler Papers include the material directly relating to JEB received as part of two main deposits: from her grandson, Arthur [later Andrew] Stanley George Butler in 1958 and from JBMH in September 1974 and January 1975.

Provenance

Much of the material received from JBMH was formerly in the possession of George Grey Butler, JEB's eldest son, at Ewart Park, Wooler, Northumberland, and was given to JBMH by his children in 1937.

Alternative Form Available

Most of the materials received from A.S.G. Butler in 1958 were microfilmed for the IDC/Fawcett Library Josephine Butler Letter Collection on microfiche

Correspondence and Personal Papers

Reference Number(s)JB 1
Dates of Creationc.1853-1906
Physical Descriptionc. 3 boxes

Scope and Content

These letters and papers have been annotated, dated and numbered in various hands. Those given by A.S.G. Butler, and used in the writing of his Portrait of Josephine Butler are marked with his numbers in green pencil, and his comments and striking through of significant passages in blue, red or green pencil. Letters and papers received from JBMH have markings in red ink and pencil by George Grey Butler, and dating and address information in blue ink, possibly made by Enid Moberley Bell, author of Josephine Butler: Flame of Fire, for whose previous arrangement of these papers see JB 3/5/5

Arrangement

JB 1/1 Letters from Josephine Butler

JB 1/2 Fragmentary and undated letters

JB 1/3 Letters to JEB

JB 1/4 Personal papers

JB 1/5 Press cuttings and circulars

Letters from Josephine Butler

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1
Dates of Creation1853-1906
Physical Description2 boxes

Scope and Content

Over 500 letters written by or for JEB, 1853-1906, including many to her son, (Arthur) Stanley Butler and his wife Rhoda, to her son George Grey Butler and his wife Mia and to Fanny Forsaith. Other correspondents include the the Ryleys of Wigan and Southport, her nieces Edith Leopold and Maud Garston, and her grandchildren Josephine, Bob, Hetha, Horace and Irene.

Arrangement

The letters are arranged chronologically. Letters which cannot be assigned an exact date are placed at the start of the year or month of writing. There is also a separate folder of undated and fragmentary letters at JB 1/2.

Letter to Papa [John Grey] 124, High Street, Oxford Sun [mid Dec 1853]

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1853/12/00(I)
Dates of CreationDecember 1853; Sun [mid Dec 1853]
Physical Description4 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

Mentions trip to Greenwich [ JEB's father, John Grey], was appointed Receiver of the Greenwich Hospital's estates in Northumberland], brother-in-law William Masson's illness and cost of housekeeping. Bunty" [her first son, George Grey Butler] is getting very knowing"

Letter to Edith [Edith Leopold] [ Liverpool] Weds [Aug 1866]

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1866/08/00(I)
Dates of CreationAugust 1866; Aug 1866
Physical Description4 p; on mourning paper with crest [of Liverpool College?]

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

Unsigned. Discusses Italian nationalism and Seven Weeks' War between Prussia and Austria. I have a great & real love for Mr. Gladstone ... Bright is a mere child, in education & in power & in depth of conviction compared with Gladstone"

Letter to Edie [Edith Leopold] [ Liverpool] 8 Mar [1867]

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1867/03/08(II)
Dates of Creation8 March 1867; 8 Mar [1867]
Physical Description14 p

Note

Not on IDC fiche

Scope and Content

On the spiritual conviction underlying her work for social reform. Gives the case history of Mary, entrapped into a ... brothel kept by a Mrs Mandeville" , turned out with consumption and entered workhouse infirmary, from which JEB has taken her to live in her own home. Frederic Myers ... went with me to the large pauper hospital, & I took him to the bedside of Ellen Lambert ... Next day ... on her bed we saw a straight white corpse ... only 18 years old, only 2 weeks left the streets, slain by sin"

Fawcett Library 3003 (postscript explaining JEB's House of Rest" and a poem by Mary) appears to be part of this item. See IDC fiche

Letter to Mrs Ryley [Liverpool] [c. June 1868 or later]

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1868/06/00(II)
Dates of Creation [c. June 1868 or later]
Physical Description2 p

Note

Not on IDC fiche

Scope and Content

Invites her to annual meeting of the North of England Council for the Education of Women on 23rd June at Liverpool College. I enclose ...a copy of a letter I had [not present] from the Secretary of the new Indian association- they have made me a member of their council". Mentions photograph of bust by Munro, see JB 2/1/6

Letter to Mama [Sarah M. Butler] London Sun 11 Jan 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/01/11(I)
Dates of CreationSun 11 Jan 1869
Physical Description4 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

On family visit to London, and negotiations with Macmillan re publishing Woman's Work and Woman's Culture

Letter to Mama [Sarah M. Butler] [ Liverpool] Tues Feb 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/02/00(I)
Dates of CreationTues Feb 1869
Physical Description4 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

Unsigned. On her health I think I am wonderfully tough, tho' I suffer a good deal"

Copy of a letter to Mme Troubnikoff [made by Rosa Bruker] 280 South Hill, Park Road, Liverpool Apr 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/04/00(I)
Dates of CreationApr 1869
Physical Description4 p

Note

Not on IDC fiche

Scope and Content

I have had some corespondance [sic] with the ... Princess Royal of England [see JB/1/3/1] on the subject of organizing an International Association for the advancement of the education of women ... Mr J. Stuart Mill ... has expressed an interest" . Also mentions the idea of a little International Review ... a monthly periodical probably published in London" [Now-a-days]

Copy of a letter toMme Troubnikoff [made by Rosa Bruker] 280 South Hill. Park Road, Liverpool 27 May 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/05/27(I)
Dates of Creation 27 May 1869
Physical Description3 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

On education of women, There is much prejudice [in England ] to overcome, women wanting employment ill-educated and ill-paid are pressing by thousands around us ... I enclose a notice of our projected magasin [Now-a-days ]". Not present, but see JB 1/1 1869/06/30." Also asks for news of facts or movements in Russia"

Letter to Mama [Sarah M. Butler] Liverpool Friday [18] June 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/06/18(I)
Dates of CreationFriday [18] June 1869
Physical Description4 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

I have got thro' my literary work ... but I have yet a good deal of correspondence about the Endowed Schools Bill. Mr Forster says I need not set our local committees to work till October ... mine is about girls' grammar schools ... I made my first attempt at public speaking" last Friday, in the College, at a meeting. Mr. Markby of Cambridge, Mr Fitch, Government Inspector of Schools & George spoke ... I wrote it out as an article afterwards, & you may see it published in the first number of the Magazine [Now-a-days] of which I enclose a prospectus" [not present, but see JB 1/1/1869/06/30]

Copy of a letter to Mme Troubnikoff made by Rosa Bruker 280 South Hill, Park Road, Liverpool 30 June 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/06/30(I)
Dates of Creation 30 June 1869
Physical Description7 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

The first number of our Magazine Now-a-days" is out .... The education of girls as well as boys has at last been brought before the attention of our Parliament.... A book has just been published by J. Stuart Mill The subjection of women " wch has electrified the public by its boldness" . Also mentions recent publication of Woman's work and woman's culture and includes a copy of the prospectus for Now-a-days" for 1st July 1869 with a list of contributors

Copy of a letter to Mme Nad. Stassoff made by Rosa Bruker 280 South Hill, Liverpool 1 July 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/07/01(I)
Dates of Creation1 July 1869
Physical Description4 p

Note

Scope and Content

On promoting women's cause we are one half of the human race, and if in rising above all national jealousies and restrictions, we show ourselves a little more advanced than the other half ... we cannot fail to influence by our example" and spiritual basis of her work

On IDC fiche

Copy of a letter to Mme Troubnikoff made by Rosa Bruker Meiningen 1 Aug 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/08/01(I)
Dates of Creation1 Aug 1869
Physical Description4 p

Scope and Content

On arrangements to meet in Switzerland, and opposition to women in Berlin and St Petersburg

Note

On IDC fiche

Copy of a letter to Mme Troubnikoff made byRosa Bruker Mürren 10 Aug 1869

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1869/08/10(I)
Dates of Creation10 Aug 1869
Physical Description1 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

On arrangements to meet in Switzerland

Letter to Mama [Sarah M. Butler] Newcastle 3 Jan 1870

Reference Number(s)JB 1/1 1870/01/03(I)
Dates of Creation3 Jan 1870
Physical Description4 p

Note

On IDC fiche

Scope and Content

I have been about on a sort of preaching tour on behalf of a question of social importance of a rather sad & painful kind. I speak mostly in the Quakers' Meeting houses or a Church School room, & only to women. My expenses are all paid"

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