Papers of Robert Rendall

This collection is composed of the papers of Robert Rendall between the years of 1920 and 1965. These papers include 2 detailed notebooks of spiritual reflections by Rendall, a substantial correspondence with a number of persons including John Watson, sermon notes, theological papers, and other related documents.

Robert Rendall was a poet, amateur naturalist and prominent member of the Open Brethren movement, He was born in Glasgow in 1898 but lived most of his life in Kirkwall, Orkney. He worked in the family draper business but was known primarily for his poetry and as an authority on island flora and fauna. He was a committed Christian in the Open Brethren tradition whose writings and poetry were deeply influenced by his faith. He kept extensive notes and records of his own spiritual and scriptural reflections, as well as maintaining a strong correspondence with many individuals. He died in 1967 and was viewed by many as a figure of great personal character and distinction.

This collection has been divided in to the following series:

• Notebooks
• Correspondence
• Papers and notes
• Sermon notes

The collection is open to any accredited reader.

The collection includes material which is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998. Under Section 33 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), The University of Manchester Library (UML) holds the right to process personal data for research purposes. The Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2000 enables the UML to process sensitive personal data for research purposes. In accordance with the DPA, UML has made every attempt to ensure that all personal and sensitive personal data has been processed fairly, lawfully and accurately. Users of the archive are expected to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will be required to sign a form acknowledging that they will abide by the requirements of the Act in any further processing of the material by themselves.

Open parts of this collection, and the catalogue descriptions, may contain personal data about living individuals. Some items in this collection may be closed to public inspection in line with the requirements of the DPA. Restrictions/closures of specific items will be indicated in the catalogue.

Photocopies and photographic copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

A number of items within the archive remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study.

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Library for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the Head of Special Collections, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH.

None expected.

Neil Dickson, An Island Shore: The Life and Work of Robert Rendall (Kirkwall: The Orkney Press Ltd., 1990).