Correspondence with Norman Leys

This material is held atUniversity of Manchester Library

  • Reference
    • GB 133 GDN/A/L42
  • Dates of Creation
    • 31 Mar 1919-4 Jul 1931
  • Physical Description
    • 43 pieces; 52 sheets

Scope and Content

Correspondence with Norman Leys (1875-1944), doctor and Africanist, relating to an offer by Leys to act as a correspondent, reviewer, and interpreter of information on East African affairs for the Manchester Guardian, with discussion of previous experience in the region, which is accepted. Also included is a letter of introduction for Leys from Gilbert Murray, classical scholar and internationalist.

There are requests by Scott for articles by Leys on a statement made by [Leopold Charles Maurice Stennett] Amery, politician and journalist on the conscription of native labour for construction of the Uganda railway, and on political affairs in Kenya, and for reviews of books relating to Kenya, which are provided. Also included is discussion of arrangements for the provision of articles, their length and form, and the period of notice given for articles requested. There is discussion of Leys' involvement with the Labour party advisory committee on Imperial Affairs, the provision of information on Kenya for political debates by Leys, of proposals to federate the British dependencies in East Africa, and of representation within the Legislative Council of Kenya. There is correspondence relating to the provision of thanks by Scott for the assistance provided by Leys in relation to coverage of Kenya in the Manchester Guardian, and praise of Leys' book, [Kenya]. Also included is thanks from Leys for the support of the Manchester Guardian, with reference to [Kenya], and to coverage in the paper of current affairs in Kenya.

There is correspondence relating to a request by Leys for advice as to whether to bring a libel action against the Daily Express for allegations of falsehoods in his book,Kenya. There is a draft of a non-party policy for the Kenya colony and other East African dependencies, written by Leys. Also included are suggestions by Leys for articles trade unions, race relations and the potential for violence in South Africa. There is discussion of sources of information and potential articles from Kenya, and reference to Archdeacon [Walter Edwin] Owen, missionary.

There is discussion of Leys' proposals for qualitative enfranchisement in Kenya, regardless of race. There is also a request by Leys that a letter to the editor by Frederick C. Linfield, politician, defending his involvement in the report of the East Africa Parliamentary Commission, be published in the paper, which is refused. There is also correspondence with Sir James Currie, educationist, discussing Currie's refutation of an article by Leys on education in Uganda.

There is correspondence between Leys and E.T. Scott, relating to an article by Leys entitled 'The Uganda Amalekites; a Case for Inquiry', on an incident which took place in Kalagala in which 5 Amalekites lost their lives in a church, with reference to government drives for inoculation in the region. There is discussion of the incomplete nature of the information Leys was able to obtain, the sources of information, and a complaint from the acting Governor of Uganda [Edward Blackwell Jarvis?], for which an apology is issued by E.T. Scott.

GDN/A/L42/9 is an internal employment history index card for Leys, 1925.

GDN/A/L42/20 is a letter to the editor by Francis William Dry, zoologist entitled 'Planters and Natives in Kenya' in the Manchester Guardian, 1926.

GDN/A/L42/36 is a letter to the editor by S.E. Howarth entitled 'The Situation in Uganda' in the Manchester Guardian, 1929.

GDN/A/L42/42 is a letter to the editor by Percy W. Perryman, Chief Secretary to the Uganda government, entitled 'Uganda Amalekites; The 'Incident' of Last July' in the Manchester Guardian, [1930].