Papers of Charles Ashleigh (interview), 1892-1974, held in the Small Collection

This material is held atNuffield College Archives, University of Oxford

  • Reference
    • GB 163 ASHLEIGH PAPERS
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1965
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 1 box

Scope and Content

This collection consists of an interview with Patrick Renshaw, giving an account of his work with the IWW and the trial. Charles Ashleigh was born in London in 1892, moving to America in 1912, via South America. He was a poet who published in 'The masses', 'The liberator' and 'The little review', but it was as a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) he found some fame (1). He was among the 101 defendants of the trial of leading IWW members charged with conspiracy against the US government in 1917/1918 (2). He was imprisoned and then deported back to Britain in 1923 where he joined the British Communist Party. He was an active member, contributing to 'The daily worker' into the 1960s. In c1930 he wrote his autobiographical novel 'The rambling kid', which gives an insight into his formative years and leading figures of the IWW. (1) 'Rebel voices', Burns, J., The Penniless Press, Preston. (2) New York Times, 16 Dec 1917.

See Small Collection description for other sub-collections.

Access Information

By prior appointment only. Application in writing (letter or email) to the Archives Assistant. See Nuffield College Archives location page for more details.

Other Finding Aids

The handlist for the Small Collection can be found [online] Link: https://www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/the-college/library/special-collection-and-archives/archive/