NPG - Personnel records

This material is held atNational Portrait Gallery Archive

Scope and Content

This series includes personnel files, 1857-1960, and other personnel information, including: events for staff, mainly viewing royal processions, 1897-1902; information on specific staff roles, including the Director and the clerk, 1883-1893; personnel policies and procedures, including rules and regulations and staff handbooks, 1897-; employee surveys 2006- and one employee address book, 1896-1947.

This is not a comprehensive series - see 'Related Material' section.

Files may include any of the following types information: letters of application for work; references from previous employers and/or character references; Civil Service Commissioners' certificates of qualification for employment; memos and correspondence from staff relating to aspects of their work; summary records of pay and uniforms received; applications for superannuation (pensions) and related forms and correspondence; correspondence, summaries, and forms relating to taxation; correspondence and papers relating to promotions; correspondence and papers relating to military service, work as special constables or transfers to other government departments during the First World War and the Second World War; references from the National Portrait Gallery for other employers; correspondence and papers relating to casual employment after retirement; correspondence relating to the award of the Imperial Service Medal; press cuttings about staff members; correspondence and notifications of pensioners' deaths.

Administrative / Biographical History

Personnel files relate mainly to warding and security staff. The majority of these staff were men who had previously worked in the military or the police and joined the National Portrait Gallery upon their discharge or retirement. The Gallery had no female warding staff until 1973.

Access Information

Available to view by appointment in the Heinz Archive and Library Public Study Room, to make an appointment contact Archive Reception . Although records are generally available for public consultation, some information in them, such as personal data or information supplied to the Gallery in confidence, may be restricted.

Other Finding Aids

The complete catalogue for this archive can be searched via the NPG Archive Catalogue .

Conditions Governing Use

Personal photography is permitted for research purposes only. Photocopying is not permitted.

Related Material

Further information about personnel can be found in the series National Portrait Gallery Warding and security staff records (NPG82).