The Mediaeval Manuscripts number just nine but include Petrus Lombardus' Sententi

This is a collection of material brought together by, or relating to, local nineteenth century collectors John and Thomas Bell. There are four boxes relating to the local book trade, seven more relating to the Port of Tyne, and forty packets of cuttings, correspondence and other miscellaneous items which are useful for local history.

Consists of 42 prints made from James Gillray's original engravings and documents relating to Newcastle University's acquisition of the prints.

Report of the Workhouse Committee upon the subject of the charges brought by Mr Carr, the Clerk of the Board, against Mr Johnson, the Master of the Workhouse, in regards to misappropriation of food intended for the inmates.

The examined evidence includes a vastly detailed record of the finances and the purchases of the workhouse over a six-month period, such as the weekly consumption of different commodities from bread and beef to split peas and soap, which could be of considerable interest to the social and economic historian. Other material includes the detail of Carr's charges, minutes of the meetings at which they were considered, witness statements and documents revealing the care with which Alnwick Workhouse was managed.

This collection of illustrations by local artist Thomas Hair (c.1810-1875) depicts the mining industry and the coal trade in the North East in the nineteenth century. The illustrations are based on Hair's watercolours on the same topic. The illustrations in the collection highlight numerous aspects of the region's mining heritage, including collieries, machinery, and river trade scenes. Many of the illustrations also show the everyday workings of the industry and those involved in it.

The diaries of Thomas Sopwith (1803-1879), mining engineer, land surveyor and philanthropist in the north-east of England, cover the period 1828-1879. We hold both the original diaries, and a copy of the material held on 16 reels of microfilm. They form a meticulous account of the professional life of Sopwith, detailing his work, projects and his travels both for business and for enjoyment. The diaries also include sketches and illustrations of people, views, and buildings and often include descriptions of lectures and conversations with people Sopwith met on his travels.A particularly notable aspect of the diaries is Sopwith's descriptions of journeys he made by rail, often along newly-opened railway lines in a period where rail travel was in its early stages.

The archive mainly comprises correspondence relating to Charles' activities as a Civil Servant and administrator. There are also publications relating to these activities and Charles' wider interests.

There is also personal content, including travel diaries, family correspondence and papers regarding inheritance of the Wallington estate in Northumberland.

The Local Illustrations date from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries and depict a variety of local scenes and structures, such as schools, hospitals, residences, castles and churches. There are views of Newcastle, Durham, Northumberland, Sunderland; portraits; depictions of local life (keelmen playing cards) and a plan of the Grainger Market, Newcastle.

Although George Gibson (1800-1850) was a farm steward to Sir M.W. Ridley, Blagdon, Northumberland, the Gibson Papers are really a literary archive, with some material which may be considered pertinent to the history of education in Gibson's ciphering book (1804) - mathematical problems, solutions and rules; a poem; information about weights, measures and the value of money as well as his many doodles. There are many short poems, such as An address to a mouse that I turned up with the plough on 2nd January 1819, Reflections on hearing the clock strike five and Farewell address to my ink bottle as well as a long poem about the difficult slaughter of a sow which was too heavy to lift, some ecclesiastical poetry, a long, anti-Catholic poem on education in Ireland and some correspondence.

Sir Joseph Swan (1828-1914) was a North East physicist, chemist and inventor who is best known for his innovation in the photographic process and the invention of the incandescent light bulb. This small collection comprises of items retained by various members of the Swan family, until donated to Newcastle University in the 1960s/1970s. The collection includes personal family items such as medals and certificates, original Swan lamps and a silk dressing gown, together with items which appear to come from Sir Joseph Swan's home workshop including a number of photographic prints, presumed to date from Sir Joseph Swan's experiments with various photographic print techniques.