Masterman Family Papers

Papers of Charles Frederick Gurney Masterman, his wife, Lucy Masterman (nee Lyttelton), and other members of the Masterman and Lyttelton families.

This collection includes personal correspondence of both Charles and Lucy Masterman as well as literary and political correspondence. Other papers include Charles Masterman's manuscripts and typescripts, his publishers' agreements, reviews and proofs of articles as well as printed material such as copies of literary magazines. His political papers include agendas for and reports of government committees, electoral expenses papers and material relating to industrial policy. Lucy Masterman's correspondence includes letters from Charles Masterman and others and letters of condolence sent to her on the death of her husband. Correspondence and papers of other Masterman and Lyttelton family members include letters from Charles Masterman to his mother, Margaret Hanson Masterman (nee Gurney) and a series of letters written by Mary Gladstone to her cousin George William Spencer Lyttelton, Lucy Masterman's uncle with two letters to Mary Gladstone from her sister, Helen. Other miscellaneous material, not directly attributable to an identifiable source, is included and it is assumed to have been collected by Charles Masterman.

This collection, when used in conjunction with other related material, especially the Masterman Papers (CFGM), is a significant source of information for researchers of political history, specifically Liberal Party politics and press of the early twentieth century while the letters of Mary Gladstone provide insights into the political world of the previous generation. The breadth of Charles Masterman's personal papers and correspondence also constitute a significant biographical resource encompassing material from his childhood to his death which illuminates his character and personal and professional relationships.

Administrative History
Charles Masterman (1873-1927) was a Liberal politician, who served as a Member of Parliament from 1906 to 1914 and again from 1923 to 1924. He held a series of government posts between 1908 and 1915 and played an important part in the preparation and implementation of the National Insurance Act of 1911 and in the organisation of British government propaganda during World War I. He was a prolific writer, publishing a number of books and contributing articles and reviews to several Liberal newspapers and periodicals of the time. He became literary editor of the Daily News in 1903 contributed regular articles for The Nation including a weekly column on Parliamentary proceedings from 1923 until near his death in 1927.

Lucy Masterman, Charles's wife, (1884-1977), was the daughter of General Sir Neville Lyttelton and Lady Katherine (née Stuart-Wortley). Before her marriage, Lucy had already earned a reputation as a poet. During her lifetime she published several volumes of verse, as well as contributing poetry, reviews and historical articles to newspapers and magazines over a period of 60 years. Her major literary work was her biography of Charles Masterman, published in 1939. After the death of her husband, Lucy continued to lead an energetic political life. She fought the Salisbury seat for the Liberal party unsuccessfully in the 1929 and 1931 General Elections and maintained an active correspondence with Liberal politicians until the 1970s. She had many interests, particularly the role of women, the plight of World War II refugees and prison reform.

Reference: Finding aid to the Masterman Papers (Reference: CFGM); Lucy Masterman's biography of Charles Masterman: 'C. F. G. Masterman' (London: Cassells, 1939)

These papers have been arranged into three sub-fonds: Papers of Charles Masterman; Lucy Masterman; Masterman and Lyttelton family papers.

Open. Access to all registered researchers.

Purchased at auction June 2001

Please see full catalogue for more information.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Director of Special Collections (email: special-collections@contacts.bham.ac.uk). Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

Other collections held at Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections which relate to Charles Masterman and the wider Masterman family include the Masterman Papers (CFGM); Papers of Margaret Braithwaite (MS122); Papers of Lewis Braithwaite (MS123); Microfilm copy of Lucy Masterman's diary (MS159); Papers of Neville Masterman (MS195).