Research papers of Dr David M. Smith (b 1936), geographer, comprising photographs of industrial sites in the East Midlands, 1959-1962

Scope and Content

The collection comprises:

Three binders described as 'The industrial landscape of the East Midlands', an annotated collection of photographs compiled by D.M. Smith. The photographs, taken between 1959 and 1961, are black and white. They are accompanied by typescript titles and notes for each photograph and typed introductions to the various classes of industry illustrated. Photographs show housing, buildings and other man-made features that were constructed for industrial use in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Part 1: Manufacturing industry divided into domestic hosiery, silk, cotton, lace, factory hosiery, iron, footwear industries and 20th century industrial buildings. Part 2: Mining and quarrying divided into coal mining and other mining. Part 3: Transport and communications relates to roads, canals and rail. 1962 (MS 627/1);

Black and white photographs depicting mills and other industrial buildings, mainly in and around Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. c.1962 (MS 627/2);

Card index entitled 'Cotton Mills in the East Midlands'. It records details about the mills including their date of establishment and operation, mode of power and material of construction, c. 1962 (MS 627/3).

Administrative / Biographical History

David Marshall Smith was born in 1936. He studied for his PhD. at The University of Nottingham and his thesis, 'The East Midlands industrial area: a regional study of industrial location' is dated 1961. The photographs and index cards in this collection were created in the context of this early research which he followed with The industrial archaeology of the East Midlands: Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and the adjoining parts of Leicestershire (Dawlish: David and Charles, 1965).

Since then, as a university academic, he has written in whole or in part over twenty monographs on various aspects of geography, including Moral geographies: ethics in a world of difference (Edinburgh University Press, 2000).

Arrangement

The binders (MS 627/1/1-3) are arranged into three parts entitled 'manufacturing industry', 'mining and quarrying' and 'transport and communication'. Within these parts, the photographs are further sub-divided into more specific industry types such as 'lace industry' and 'cotton industry'.

Access Information

Accessible to all readers.

Other Finding Aids

Copyright in the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

Online: Detailed catalogue available on the Manuscripts Online Catalogue, accessible from the website of Manuscripts and Special Collections.

In the Reading Room, King's Meadow Campus: Typescript Catalogue, 33pp

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Good

Conditions Governing Use

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

Custodial History

The collection was acquired by The University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections in March 1992.