The collection is composed of correspondence relating to the Scottish Anti-Vaccination League, Kirkcaldy, 1896-1897.
Correspondence relating to the Scottish Anti-Vaccination League
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 237 Coll-723
- Dates of Creation1896-1897
- Language of MaterialEnglishEnglish.
- Physical Description1 bundle of circa 150 letters.
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Throughout the 19th century there had been serious outbreaks of highly infectious smallpox in the UK which was most severe among children. The disease was most commonly found in densely populated districts. Compulsory Vaccination was introduced in Scotland from 1 January 1864, whereas in England, the first Vaccination Act of 1840 made vaccination available but it was provided on a request basis only. In 1854 it was made compulsory, although it was not properly enforced until the 1874 Vaccination Act which made registration of births compulsory within 6 weeks, something which occurred in Scotland from 1855.
In 1896, parents in England and Wales were permitted to register their conscientious objection to compulsory smallpox vaccination by making a statutory declaration and registering this with the local registrar of births marriages and deaths. The Scottish Anti-Vaccination League was established to campaign for this right, which was granted in Scotland when the Vaccination Act (Scotland) came into force from 28 August 1907.
Access Information
Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.
Acquisition Information
Material purchased from Broughton Books, Edinburgh, November 1989, Accession no. E89.75.
Other Finding Aids
Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.
Archivist's Note
Top-level descirption created by Graeme Eddie. Updated by Aline Brodin in September 2020.
Accruals
Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.