Morris (John) Papers

Correspondence and working papers, 1944-1977 and undated, of John Morris, including notes, proofs, manuscript and typescript drafts, comprising material on Roman sources and history, Christianity, Saxon, Celtic and Arthurian sources and history, including Nennius and Gildas; photographs of Anglo-Saxon archaeology, particularly a site at Mitcham, Surrey; typescript of Morris' 'Londinium: London in the Roman Empire'; correspondence and papers relating to 'Past and Present' including articles submitted to Morris for publication and related correspondence; academic correspondence with correspondents in the UK and abroad; papers and correspondence relating to Morris' visit to India, including academic matters and Indian politics and papers relating to Morris' political interests and activities, particularly the Institute for Workers' Control, including printed material.

Born, 1913; read Modern History at Oxford University; served in World War Two; joined University College London as Lecturer in Ancient History, 1948; founder and first editor of 'Past and Present', 1952; visited India as a lecturer for the Indian University Grants Commission, 1968-1969; Senior Lecturer, University College London, 1969; involved in several socialist organisations, particularly the Institute for Workers' Control; died, 1977. Publications: 'The Age of Arthur' (1973); co-editor and translator of the Phillimore edition of 'The Domesday Book'; co-editor with A H M Jones and J R Martindale of the 'Prospography of the Later Roman Empire' (from 1971); 'Londinium: London in the Roman Empire' (1982), revised by Sarah Macready and published posthumously.

The first and second accessions has been arranged in the following sections: Academic papers (Roman, Gildas, Arthur, Nennius, Celtic, 'Liber Landen', Anglo-Saxon) (Refs: A-G); 'Past and Present' (Ref: H); Correspondence (Ref: J); India (Ref: K); Political Papers (Ref: L); Miscellaneous (Ref: M). The third and fourth accessions remain in the original order.

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This collection is not yet catalogued and some sections may be restricted under data protection legislation. Please contact Special Collections for further information.

Acquired from the family in 1979, with later accruals in 1986. 'Past and Present' was received from Eric Hobsbawm in 2003.

A handlist is available for parts of the collection. Please contact Special Collections for further information.

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

The bulk of the papers were deposited by John Morris' widow, Mrs Susan Morris, in 1979. An additional deposit, the typescript for 'Londinium', was received by arrangement with Mrs Morris in 1986, a deposit of papers on Arthurian sources was received from Morris' son also in 1986 and a further accession of papers relating to 'Past and Present' was received from Eric Hobsbawm in 2003.

University College London Special Collections also holds Morris's appointment file (Ref: GO 1567) and superannuation file (Ref: GO 1470).