Papers of Margaret Grace Cutler

This material is held atUniversity of Manchester Library

  • Reference
    • GB 133 MGC
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1953-2000
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 0.3 linear metres
  • Location
    • Collection available at University Archive and Records Centre, main University Library.

Scope and Content

The material in this collection relates to the personal and religious life of Margaret Grace Cutler (1934-1996). Cutler belonged to the Raven-Taylor-Hales branch of the Exclusive Brethren during the leadership of James Taylor Junior (1959-1970), otherwise known as the 'crisis years' of the organisation. As such, the papers in this collection would be of use to those interested both in Cutler's life and this turbulent decade in Exclusive Brethren history. The collection is largely comprised of manuscript and typescript diaries kept by the author during this decade, but also contains correspondence with family members and biographical information about the author. There is also material relating to the history of the Exclusive Brethren and the meetings they held. Correspondingly, this collection would benefit those researching the Exclusive Brethren, in particular the Raven-Taylor-Hales and Frost branches to which Cutler respectively belonged, at either an individual or an organisational level. More broadly, this collection would be useful to those interested in the Exclusive Brethren presence in Birmingham and the West Midlands during the span of this archive.

Former reference: Christian Brethren Archive: additional papers and record material, boxes 141-143.

Administrative / Biographical History

Margaret Grace Cutler (1934-1996) was born in Birmingham. She was the only child of Brethren parents who attended the Stoney Lane meeting room in Yardley, Birmingham. It was here that, after recovering from a car accident, Margaret 'broke bread' (or, entered into fellowship) at age eleven. Brethren children did not usually enter fellowship until their mid-teens, but Margaret's request to do so was accepted due to the perceived miraculous nature of her recovery. As well as allowing her to enter fully into Brethren life, Margaret's recovery sparked a lifelong interest in biology. After attending King Edward VI High School for Girls, she went on to work at a laboratory attached to Birmingham Children's Hospital, undertaking a BSc at the University of Birmingham at the same time. Her choice to pursue a career in science was discouraged by her family, in part due to the condemnation of universities by James Taylor Junior. However, Margaret nevertheless went on to achieve an MSc followed by a Nuffield Research-funded PhD on the effects of folic acid and the development of cancers (1969), both from the University of Birmingham. After completing her doctorate, she took on a series of temporary posts in Birmingham before transferring to Lecturer in Physiology at the College of Technology, Glasgow (1974).

Margaret's academic career was met with bafflement by many of her fellow Brethren in Birmingham, particularly the older members of the community. However, she still regularly attended meetings at the Harborne, Rathbone Road, and Bingley Hall meeting rooms and maintained friendships with Brethren who lived in these areas. According to her close friend and diary editor, Edwina Hawker, Margaret put her academic career on hold by taking temporary posts in Birmingham largely to witness the conclusion of the 'Aberdeen Brethren' split concerning the necessary degree of separation from the world (1970). She had closely followed the fallout of the 'Aberdeen Incident' and was overjoyed at the discrediting of Taylor Junior's leadership, as evidenced by her enthusiastically detailed diary entries and meeting notes from this period. After the split, the Brethren divided into the 'Renton' and 'Strang' Brethren (1972) and then the 'Frosts' and 'Rogers' (1974), with Margaret moving from the 'Strang' to the 'Frost' position, as did most of the Birmingham Brethren.

After moving to Glasgow in 1974, Margaret advanced in her academic career, supervising numerous PhD students, presenting at conferences, and publishing her work on the 'pleasure centre' in the brain. Here she joined the Glasgow Brethren. The 1991 'Frost split', again regarding the necessary degree of separation, served to distance Margaret from her stepmother and aunt, who adopted the stricter line. Margaret, in part due to a desire to socialise with non-Brethren Christians, became one of the 'de-Frosted'. Shortly afterwards, in 1996, Margaret relocated to Devon, attending meetings and working on her hoped-for breakthrough on the relief of pain. However, the same year, she fell downstairs at home, fatally fracturing her skull. She is buried in her parents' grave in Birmingham.

Arrangement

The original order of the collection was maintained. They follow the order listed below:

  • Diaries
  • Documentation relating to the Exclusive Brethren
  • Meetings
  • Correspondence
  • Biographical information relating to the author

Access Information

The collection includes material which is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018. Under the Act 2018 (DPA), The University of Manchester Library (UML) holds the right to process personal data for archiving and research purposes. In accordance with the DPA, UML has made every attempt to ensure that all personal and sensitive personal data has been processed fairly, lawfully and accurately. Users of the archive are expected to comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, and will be required to sign a form acknowledging that they will abide by the requirements of the Act in any further processing of the material by themselves.

Open parts of this collection, and the catalogue descriptions, may contain personal data about living individuals. Some items in this collection may be closed to public inspection in line with the requirements of the DPA. Restrictions/closures of specific items will be indicated in the catalogue.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Edwina Hawker in 2000.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

The collection contains 3 1/2 inch floppy disks and cassette tapes. The content of the disks will be migrated to another platform for access purposes; content is currently unavailable. Specialist equipment is needed to access the content held on these devices.

Archivist's Note

Catalogue originally written by Lianne Smith, Christian Brethren Archivist, prior to 2021. Catalogue has subsequently been added to and uploaded by Grant Collier, Curatorial Assistant, 2022.

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies and photographic copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

A number of items within the archive remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study.

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Library for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the Head of Special Collections, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH.

Custodial History

The collection was created by Margaret Grace Cutler, with posthumous additions by Edwina Hawker and Kenelm Hawker, and donated to the University of Manchester in 2000.

Accruals

None expected.

Geographical Names