Economic History Society

Scope and Content

The collection contains minute books, council papers and correspondence, treasurer's records, correspondence and papers relating to the Economic History Review , correspondence with other academic societies, papers relating to Economic History Society conferences, papers on Society personnel, and surveys relating to the teaching of economic history in schools and universities.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Economic History Society was inaugurated at a general meeting held at the London School of Economics on 14 July 1926. R H Tawney took the chair and, after the resolution to form the Society had been carried unanimously, the meeting discussed the constitution and aims of the Society and proceeded to elect its first officers, with Sir William Ashley as the first President. The publication of the Economic History Review was also discussed and R H Tawney and Mr Lipson were appointed as joint editors. The aims of the Society are:
1. To promote the study of economic history.
2. To issue the Economic History Review .
3. to publish and sponsor other publications in the fields of economic and social history.
4. To establish closer relations between students and teachers of economic and social history.
5. To hold an annual conference and to hold or participate in any other conference or meeting as may be deemed expedient in accordance with the objects of the Society.
6.To co-operate with other organisations having kindred purposes.
The promotion of economic history has mainly been effected through the publication of the Economic History Review and the holding of annual conferences. The Society has also liased with academic funding councils about support for economic history teaching and research and has sought to encourage schools to promote the teaching of economic history.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in the following series: A. Minute books, 1926-1996; B. Council papers and correspondence, 1961-1996; C. Legal matters: constitutions and copyright, 1927-1974; D. Miscellaneous early records, 1926-1939; E. Treasurers' records, 1926-1988; F. Correspondence concerning the cost and business of publishing the Economic History Review , 1926-1990; G. Correspondence concerning the Society's publications, 1947-1990; H. Correspondence and papers concerning other academic societies, 1946-1995; I. Correspondence with the British Academy, 1955-1973; J. Social Science Research Council, 1966-1985; K. Economic History Society conferences, 1960-1994; L. International Conferences, 1960-1994; M. Personnel, 1952-1997; N. Editor's logbooks of articles received, 1951-1988; O. Economic History Review editorial correspondence, 1939-1988; P. Economic History Review rejected articles, 1951-1995; Q. Economic History Review accepted articles, 1951-1997; R. Miscellaneous editorial records, 1980-1991 S. Miscellaneous notes for contributors, 1960-1969; T. Correspondence relating to the T S Ashton Essay Prize, 1971-1982; U. Correspondence relating the Economic History Society archives, 1971-1986; V. Material relating to the state of economic history, 1982-1994; W. Correspondence concerning liaison between the Economic History Society and schools, 1972-1987; X. Correspondence concerning the Public Record Office, 1976-1981; Y. Miscellaneous, 1972-1997; Z. Committees: including the Publications Committee, Initiatives Committee, Schools Committee and Women's Committee, 1971 - 1999; additional accession M3326. DVDs of EHS annual conference 2001 and interviews with economic historians (23 DVDs).

Access Information

Most of the collection is open; several of the most recent accessions are closed until cataloguing has been completed.

Acquisition Information

Numerous deposits have been made by officers of the society or contributers to the Economic History Review.

Other Finding Aids

Detailed catalogue available from Archives staff

Archivist's Note

Output from CAIRS using template 14 and checked by hand on December 11, 2001. Updated Apr 2008.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright remains with individual donors or the Economic History Society.

Accruals

There have been frequent accruals at the rate of several a year between 1997-2001, and are continuing.