This series contains photographs and one drawing of SOAS staff from the c 1930s to 1986.
Past Directors pictured include Sir Denison Ross (1916-1938), Sir Ralph Turner (1938-1957); Sir Cyril Philips (1957-1976) and Professor C.D. (Jeremy) Cowan (1976-1989); other senior SOAS officials include Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf (Dean 1967-1973, Acting Director 1973-1976), Professor E.H. Simmonds (Dean 1973-1982, Pro-Director from 1981), and Roland Oliver (Dean of Studies 1977-1978, Senior Tutor 1973-1977). Librarians include J.D. Pearson (1950-1972) and Barry Bloomfield (1972-1978).
Other staff pictured: heads of department, senior lecturers, readers and professors; administrative and library staff; and three unidentified members of staff. Notable academic staff include Professor Sir Reginald Fleming Johnston (former tutor to the Chinese Emperor Puyi, P'u yi), and Professor J.R. Firth, considered to be a key figure in the history of Linguistics.