Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c. 19th Century - 1950 (Creation)
Level of description
Archive Collection
Extent and medium
2 linear metres, 11 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Watson was one of the founders of the Durham College of Physical Science, and President of Armstrong College.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Consists mainly of letters to Robert Spence Watson. Topics include, but are not limited to, British politics and the Liberal party, contemporary Europe, Armstrong College (later Newcastle University), the Peace Society, lectures at the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, and contemporary literary and scientific achievements. Other regular recipients of letters include Elizabeth Spence Watson, Frederick Weiss, and Charles Prestwich Scott.
The Spence Watson's wide-ranging public activism, make their correspondence a valuable source of opinions on the social and political matters of the day from a wide range of prominent persons.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Letters grouped in alphabetical series (alphabetized surnames) with items arranged chronologically. Additional items grouped thematically in further series (family correspondence/the arts/science/education).
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission to make published use of any material from Newcastle University's Special Collections must be sought in writing from the Special Collections Librarian (email: lib-specenq@ncl.ac.uk) and from the copyright owner if appropriate. The library will assist where possible with the identification of copyright owners, but the responsibility to obtain copyright clearance rests with the user.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Where name of addressee is unknown or ineligible, item is marked unaddressed. Where signature of correspondent is unknown or ineligible, item is marked unsigned. Where no date is specified, the dates of creation given are intended to give realistic scope.