Papers of G.D.H. Cole, 1889-1959

Cole was a leading theorist of that form of industrial democracy known as guild socialism and was subsequently prominent in the short-lived guild socialism movement. He was also active as an influential academic, leading Fabian and guiding light of several left-wing groups. Above all, he was a political thinker whose work was highly respected and significant. The collection contains many of his works (including operettas and speeches), correspondence, material on his political activities and involvement in educational movements and governmental committees. There are also bibliographies of his work and those he collected.

G.D.H. Cole was born on 25 September 1889 and died on 14 January 1959. He married Margaret Postgate in August 1918. Cole came to prominence in the years shortly before the First World War. Along with S.G. Hobson and A.P. Orage, he was a leading theorist of that form of industrial democracy known as guild socialism and was subsequently prominent in the short-lived guild socialism movement. For the next half century, he was active as an influential academic, leading Fabian, and guiding light of several left-wing groups. Above all, he was a political thinker, whose work in the last decade of his life was described by Richard Crossman as "still the most creative ... in the Labour movement". Cole was made a Faculty Fellow of Nuffield College in 1939, a Professorial Fellow of the College in 1944 and was elected to a Research Fellowship in 1957. (Source: Oxford DNB)

By sections as follows: A. Publications, with some unpublished matter, B. Personal, biographical, C. Correspondence, D. Political activities, E. Education, F. Government committees, G. Biographical and other papers.

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

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

The papers of G.D.H. Cole were left to Nuffield College on the event of his death.