Student theatre (University of Nottingham) and academic papers of Anthony John Burkett (1933-1997), Professor of German Politics at Loughborough University; 1955-1998

The collection consists of both personal and professional papers. The personal papers (BKT 1-4; mostly 1955-1963) include job applications, CVs, etc., containing biographical information about his career development, and a substantial section of material from his time at the University of Nottingham. This includes theatre programmes for productions Burkett was involved in, newspaper cuttings of reviews of plays, correspondence relating to his membership of the Students' Union, memorabilia such as tickets and invitations, photographs, and a series of student newspapers containing articles about his various activities at the University over the years.

Professional papers (BKT 5-12, principally 1973-1990s) include manuscripts of unpublished literary works, articles and books on aspects of socialist, German, British and European politics, including a proof copy of 'The West German Parliament' by Tony Burkett and Suzanne S. Schuettemeyer. Also present is correspondence and associated papers relating to the drafting and publication of 'West Germany: A Federal System', and papers relating to the Committee of Co-operation for European Parliamentary Studies and the Association for the Study of German Politics. There is also a small amount of personal material such as photographs and correspondence, dating from this later period.

Anthony ('Tony') Burkett was born on 12 June 1933 and from 1944 to 1952 was educated at the grammar school in March, Cambridgeshire. He studied politics at The University of Nottingham, attained a BA with honours in 1958, and an MA in 1961. During his time at Nottingham he was heavily involved in theatre, producing a number of student plays; he also held the presidency of the Student's Union. Following a spell as a part-time Workers Education Association lecturer and assistant master of Ellis Bi-Lateral School in Nottingham, Burkett became lecturer in Liberal Studies at Loughborough College of Technology (later Loughborough University) in 1961. He was warden of Loughborough University's Forest Court hall of residence from 1964 to 1977.

Burkett joined the newly established Department of European Studies as a senior lecturer in German Politics in 1971 and was made head of the Department of European Studies in 1978, having played an important role in its development. He was finally appointed to the chair of European Politics in 1983 and remained at Loughborough until about 1995. Professor Burkett specialised in British and German government and politics, and in European political institutions. His publications include: 'Political parties and elections in West Germany: the search for a new stability' (Hurst: London, 1986).

The collection has been arranged into twelve series. Within these series, items have been arranged chronologically where possible. Items from four different files of correspondence have been merged together to create series BKT 1.

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On the World Wide Web:

Catalogue accessible from the website for Manuscripts and Special Collections, Manuscripts Online Catalogue. Copyright on the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

Good

Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

The collection was given to the University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections in three parts during 1998 and 1999.

The University of Nottingham, Manuscripts and Special Collections: Records of Valerie Stevens relating to student theatre at The University of Nottingham, 1960-1961 (Reference: MS 321)