Stanley Dumbell Papers

The Dumbell papers are a small collection of manuscripts relating to the shipping and slave trade, the majority of the papers consist of original documents such as papers relating to the fitting out of 18th century vessels. One contains information on trade with West Africa gathered by a Liverpool merchant in the 1830's, the collection also includes manuscripts relating to eight slaving voyages from Liverpool to Africa between 1782 and 1807, these give a full account of cargos carried, with prices, disbursements for equipment and services, lists of seamen, sales of slaves, and owners instructions to the masters. The collection also includes a notebook of Stanley Dumbells on the cotton trade, economics and education which includes newspaper cuttings and proofs of articles written by Dumbell.

Stanley Dumbell was born in Liverpool in 1896, he was educated at Collegiate school and attended the University of Liverpool, although his time at university was interrupted by the First World War, he obtained a first-class degree in the Honours school of Economics. In 1920 he began his career as a lecturer in the Department of Commerce and also researched the mercantile history of his home city. In 1931 Dumbell was asked to become the sole Assistant Registrar and in 1937 he became the Registrar of the University of Liverpool. He was awarded with the Order of the British Empire and given an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University after his retirement as Registrar in 1962. Stanley Dumbell was interested in economic history, especially that of his beloved city of Liverpool, this collection was part of his research papers.

The collection is arranged according to its original order

Access is open to bona fide researchers, an appointment must be made in advance of any visit.

The collection was bequeathed to the University of Liverpool Library by Stanley Dumbell in 1966 .

A finding aid is available for consultation in the reading room

This collection-level description was created for the Archives Hub in December 2003

The University of Liverpool Library, Special Collections and Archives hold several small collections relating to the slave trade, including the Swire Family Papers (MS25. 1-15), Sanderson Papers which include research notes on Liverpool shipping and the later Liverpool slave trade (ref. no. D514)

Reproduction and licensing rules available on request

All of the material in the Dumbell Papers has been preserved.

Prior to their deposit with the University, the papers were in the private collection of Stanley Dumbell.

There are no anticipated accruals