Excellent plan! Devious minds are attracted to Python, like mimes to unappreciative crowds.
Tim Peters, 13 Nov 1998
Python's syntax succeeds in combining the mistakes of Lisp and Fortran. I do not construe that as progress.
Larry Wall (author of Perl), May 12 2004
Python is an experiment in how much freedom programmers need. Too much freedom and nobody can read another's code; too little and expressiveness is endangered.
Guido van Rossum, 13 Aug 1996
And what defines a 'python activist' anyway? Blowing up Perl installations worldwide?
Ivan Van Laningham, June 2005, on comp. lang. python
Python is more concerned with making it easy to write good programs than difficult to write bad ones.
Steve Holden, June 2005, on comp.lang.python
Manuscripts and Special Collections is part of Information Services at the
University of NottinghamThe University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
. It is based at
King's Meadow CampusKing's Meadow Campus is a campus, that is part of the University of Nottingham, and is located in Nottingham. It opened in 1983, as a television studio complex, called East Midlands Television Centre from 1983 till 1994 and Carlton Studios from 1994 till 2005.-East Midlands Television Centre...
in
NottinghamNottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
in
EnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The University has been collecting manuscripts since the early 1930s and now holds approximately 3 million documents, extensive holdings of Special (Printed Book) Collections, and the East Midlands Collection of local material, all of which are available for researchers to use in the supervised Wolfson Reading Rooms.
Records held
Manuscript and archive holdings include the papers of leading Nottinghamshire families and their estates, the records of local businesses and organisations, the personal papers of political, diplomatic, literary, scientific and academic figures, as well as some of the historical records of the University and its predecessor, University College Nottingham.
The most important collections of family and estate papers, with material ranging in date from the 12th to the 20th centuries, include:
- Papers of the Pelham-Clinton family, Dukes of Newcastle-under-Lyne
Earl of Lincoln is a title that has been created eight times in the Peerage of England.-Earls of Lincoln, First Creation :*William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Lincoln and 1st Earl of Arundel Earl of Lincoln is a title that has been created eight times in the Peerage of England.-Earls of Lincoln, First...
, of Clumber ParkClumber Park is a country park in the Dukeries near Worksop in Nottinghamshire, England. It was the seat of the Pelham-Clintons, Dukes of Newcastle.It is owned by the National Trust and open to the public.-History:...
, Nottinghamshire
- Papers of the Cavendish family, Dukes of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a title which has been created three times in British history while the title of Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne has been created once. The title was created for the first time in the Peerage of England in 1664 when William Cavendish, 1st Marquess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne...
and the Cavendish-Bentinck family, Dukes of Portland, of Bolsover CastleBolsover Castle is a castle in Bolsover, Derbyshire, England .-History:It was built by the Peverel family in the 12th century and became Crown property in 1155 when the third William Peverel fled into exile...
and Welbeck AbbeyWelbeck Abbey near Clumber Park in North Nottinghamshire was the principal abbey of the Premonstratensian order in England and later the principal residence of the Dukes of Portland.-Monastic period:...
, Nottinghamshire, including the Portland Literary Papers from the library at Welbeck Abbey
- Papers of the Willoughby family, Barons Middleton
Baron Middleton, of Middleton in the County of Warwick, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1711 for Sir Thomas Willoughby, 2nd Baronet, who had previously represented Nottinghamshire and Newark in Parliament...
, of Wollaton HallWollaton Hall is a country house standing on a small but prominent hill in Wollaton, Nottingham, England. Wollaton Park is the area of parkland that the stately house stands in. The house itself is a natural history museum, with other museums in the out-buildings...
, Nottinghamshire and Middleton HallMiddleton Hall is a Grade II listed building dating back to medieval times. It is situated in the North Warwickshire district of the county of Warwickshire in England, south of Fazeley and Tamworth and on the opposite side of the A4091 road to Middleton village.The Manor of Middleton was held by...
, Warwickshire
- Papers of the Pierrepont family, Earls Manvers
Earl Manvers was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1806 for Charles Pierrepont, 1st Viscount Newark. He had already been created Baron Pierrepont, of Holme Pierrepont in the County of Nottingham, and Viscount Newark, of Newark-on-Trent in the County of Nottingham, in...
, of Holme PierrepontHolme Pierrepont is a hamlet located south of the city of Nottingham in Nottinghamshire, England. It is in the Gamston ward of the Rushcliffe local authority in the East Midlands region....
Hall and Thoresby HallThoresby Hall is one of the Dukeries, four country houses and estates in north Nottinghamshire all occupied by dukes at one time in their history.-History:...
, Nottinghamshire
- Papers of the Monckton-Arundell family, Viscounts Galway
Viscount Galway is a title that has been created once in the Peerage of England and thrice in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1628 in favour of Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde. He was made Earl of St Albans at the same time...
, of Serlby Hall, Nottinghamshire
- Papers of the Drury-Lowe family of Locko Park
Locko Park is a privately owned 18th century country house, near Spondon, Derbyshire. It is a Grade II* listed building.The estate was acquired by William Gilbert from William Byrde in 1563. The oldest part of the house is the chapel of 1669. The main south facing block of the present house, built...
, Derbyshire
- Papers of the Denison family of Ossington
Ossington is a village in the county of Nottinghamshire, England 7 miles north of Newark on Trent.It is centred around the site of Ossington Hall, the ancestral home of the Denison family. The house was demolished in 1964 and all that remains are a few out-buildings and the private chapel which...
, Nottinghamshire, including John Evelyn Denison, 1st Viscount OssingtonJohn Evelyn Denison, 1st Viscount Ossington PC was a British statesman. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1857 to 1872.-Background and education:...
(1800-1873), Speaker of the House of Commons
- Papers of Sir Andrew Buchanan, 1st Baronet
Sir Andrew Buchanan, 1st Baronet, GCB was a British diplomat and baronet.-Family:Buchanan was the only son of James Buchanan of Blairvadoch, Ardinconnal, Dumbartonshire, and Janet, eldest daughter of James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness.He married first, 4 April 1839, Frances Katharine, daughter...
(1807-1882), Diplomat
- Papers of the Mellish family of Blyth
Blyth is a village in the Bassetlaw district of the county of Nottinghamshire, in the East Midlands, north west of East Retford, on the River Ryton.-Geography:...
Hall and Hodsock PrioryHodsock Priory is an English country house in Nottinghamshire, north of Worksop, England and south of Blyth. Despite its name, it is not and never has been a priory. Hodsock is renowned for its snowdrops in early spring.-History:...
, Nottinghamshire
- Papers of the Clifton family of Clifton, Nottingham
- Papers of the Eyre family of Grove
Grove is a small village, lying about 2 miles south-west of Retford, Nottinghamshire. In fact, the parklands of Grove Hall separate it from Retford town, and a set of gates for Grove Hall can be found near the London Road, the A638....
, Nottinghamshire
- Papers of the Holden family of Nuthall
Nuthall is a village located in Nottinghamshire, England, neighbouring Kimberley, Watnall, Cinderhill and Basford.It is part of the Borough of Broxtowe....
Temple, Nottinghamshire
- Papers of the Parkyns family of Bunny, Nottinghamshire
Bunny is a village and civil parish in the Rushcliffe borough of Nottinghamshire, England. The parish has a population of around 600. It is on the A60 south of Nottingham, south of Bradmore and north of Costock.-History:...
- Papers and Correspondence of Charles Brinsley Marlay of Westmeath, Ireland and his family, including the Bury family, Earls of Charleville
Earl of Charleville was a title that was created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1758 when Charles Moore, 2nd Baron Moore, was made Earl of Charleville, in the King's County...
- Correspondence of the Wrench family of Baslow
Baslow is a village in Derbyshire, England, in the Peak District, lying between Sheffield and Bakewell. It is situated on the River Derwent just north of Chatsworth House. A seventeenth century bridge spans the river in the village, alongside which is a contemporary toll house...
, Derbyshire
- Correspondence of Mary Howitt
Mary Howitt was an English poet, and author of the famous poem The Spider and the Fly. She was born Mary Botham at Coleford, in Gloucestershire, the temporary residence of her parents, while her father, Samuel Botham, a prosperous Quaker of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, was looking after some mining...
(1799-1888), writer
Literary collections include:
- The Wollaton Library Collection, containing 10 medieval manuscripts. Items from the Wollaton Library Collection feature in the web resource Wives, Widows and Wimples
- Papers of and relating to D.H. Lawrence
David Herbert Richards Lawrence was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter who published as D. H. Lawrence. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation...
(1885-1930), writer. The collections include original correspondence, artworks and literary papers of D.H. Lawrence, as well as items relating to him, such as research papers, biographical papers, photographs, audio recordings and correspondence of his friends and associates. There is also a Lawrence Special Collection of published works, including first editions, periodical literature and critical literature.
- Papers of Henry Kirke White
Henry Kirke White was an English poet, who died at a young age.White was born in Nottingham, the son of a butcher, a trade for which he was himself intended. However, he was greatly attracted to book-learning...
(1785-1806), poet
- The Cambridge Drama collection of printed works of drama or about the stage. It includes items which had previously belonged to the Cambridge Garrick Club.
- The Cambridge Shakespeare Collection, of editions of Shakespeare’s works, and illustrated volumes with engravings and drawings of characters, actors, and scenes from the plays.
- The Woodward Collection, of printed works concerning the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy
- The Coventry Patmore collection, of printed volumes by and about the poet Coventry Patmore
Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore was an English poet and critic best known for The Angel in the House, his narrative poem about an ideal happy marriage.-Youth:...
(1823-1896)
- The Briggs Collection of pre-1851 educational literature
- The Eiríkur Benedikz Icelandic Collection of printed material relating to Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
, IcelandicIcelandic literature refers to literature written in Iceland or by Icelandic people. It is best known for the sagas written in medieval times, starting in the 13th century. As Icelandic and Old Norse are almost the same, and because Icelandic works constitute most of Old Norse literature, Old Norse...
and VikingThe term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
Studies
Records of local businesses and organisations include:
- Records of the Archdeaconry of Nottingham, 1556-1942, including Marriage Bonds, Churchwarden Presentments to the Archdeaconry Court, and cause papers
- Records of non-conformist
Nonconformity is the refusal to "conform" to, or follow, the governance and usages of the Church of England by the Protestant Christians of England and Wales.- Origins and use:...
churches in NottinghamNottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
and MansfieldMansfield is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the main town in the Mansfield local government district. Mansfield is a part of the Mansfield Urban Area....
- Records of lace, hosiery and clothing manufacturers
The textile industry is primarily concerned with the production of yarn, and cloth and the subsequent design or manufacture of clothing and their distribution. The raw material may be natural, or synthetic using products of the chemical industry....
in the East MidlandsThe East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
, and records of Trade UnionsA trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
relating to the textile industry
- Records of gas and electricity supply companies in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
- Farming records from the East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
- Records of river, drainage and water supply bodies in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
, including records of the Trent RiverThe River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
Catchment Board; Trent River Board; Trent River AuthorityThe Trent River Authority was one of 27 river authorities created by the Water Resources Act 1963 . It took over the powers of the existing Trent River Board and was given additional duties to monitor water quality and protect water resources....
; Trent Fishery Board; Court of Sewers for the Level of Hatfield Chase; and The Hatfield Chase Corporation; Brigg Court of Lincolnshire Commissioners of Sewers; Trent Navigation CompanyThe Trent Navigation Company existed from 1783 to 1940. It was responsible for control of navigation on the River Trent in England.-History:...
; Records of the City of Nottingham Water DepartmentThe City of Nottingham Water Department , formerly the Nottingham Corporation Water Department , was responsible for the supply of water to Nottingham from 1880 to 1974.-Original Nottingham Waterworks Company:...
; and records from Stoke BardolphStoke Bardolph is a village and civil parish in the Gedling district of Nottinghamshire. It is to the east of Nottingham, and on the west bank of the River Trent. Nearby places include Burton Joyce and Radcliffe on Trent....
Sewage works and Bulcote Model Farm
- Records of Nottingham General Hospital
Nottingham General Hospital was the first properly constituted hospital in Nottingham, England.It was part of the area known as Nottingham Park, immediately to the north of Nottingham Castle and near the wharves, and was founded on land of which one half was given by Thomas Pelham-Clinton, 3rd...
; Nottingham Eye Hospital; Nottingham Children’s Hospital; Nottingham Women's HospitalNottingham Women's Hospital, colloquially known as "Peel Street" to residents of Nottinghamshire, was a specialist maternity hospital for women which closed in November 1981. The last baby to be born at the hospital was Louise Michelle Baker, on November 15th 1981. Records of the hospital have been...
; Highbury Hospital; and Ellerslie House Home
- Records of the Nottingham Medico-Chirurgical Society
The historical records of the
University of NottinghamThe University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
, formerly University College, Nottingham until the Royal Charter granted full University status in August 1948, relate particularly to the development of the University from the 1920s to the 1960s: coverage of the early years following the opening of the College in 1881, and of the last 50 years is less comprehensive. The records include administrative files, accounts, correspondence, minutes, plans, student registers, newspaper cuttings, ephemera, photographs, papers of the Students’ Union and various other student and staff societies, and professional and personal papers of several former members of staff.
Catalogues and Digital Resources
Catalogue records of the Special Collections are available through the University of Nottingham Library Online Catalogue.
Catalogue records of the manuscript and archive collections are available on the University’s own
Manuscripts Online Catalogue.
The official
website of Manuscripts and Special Collections includes more detailed descriptions of collections and subject areas, online exhibitions, e-learning resources, and digitised versions of visual material.
Manuscripts and Special Collections has contributed 42 catalogues to the national
Access 2 Archives programme.
Over 400 collection level descriptions are also available on the
Archives HubThe Archives Hub is a gateway to descriptions of archives for education and research. It represents archives held in UK universities, colleges and other institutions. It holds over 20,000 collection level descriptions of archives on all manner of subjects, and also has thousands of descriptions of...
History
The collection of manuscripts and local archives in the University Library was encouraged initially by G.E. Flack, the first College Librarian. References in minutes of the University Council from the 1930s refer to the University Library's accession of significant gifts and deposits of archival materials, a process which accelerated after the war. The first archivist was appointed in 1948, and a separate Department of Manuscripts was established within the University Library in 1958 under the management of a newly appointed Keeper of the Manuscripts.
Subsequent developments have added conservation facilities. With the move into new library premises in 1973 (the Hallward Library) the Department acquired purpose-built accommodation and facilities which supported a steady expansion in its holdings and activities.
Early or rare imprints of printed books formed the basis of Special Collections in the areas of arts and social sciences, science and engineering, medicine, agriculture and food sciences, and law. In addition, several of the subject libraries acquired particular named Special Collections, devoted to particular subjects or preserving the libraries of particular individuals and institutions. The East Midlands Collection was developed to serve both as a reference and loan collection for local studies and a special collection of early and rare imprints concerning the region.
In 1989 the Department of Manuscripts became the Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections, with a common reading room and staffing. Since then subject collections from the medical and law libraries have moved into Special Collections. The most substantial internal transfer was the acquisition in 1995 of the library of the former Institute of German, Austrian and Swiss Affairs, including both published and archival holdings.
In 2006 the department moved to new premises at
King's Meadow CampusKing's Meadow Campus is a campus, that is part of the University of Nottingham, and is located in Nottingham. It opened in 1983, as a television studio complex, called East Midlands Television Centre from 1983 till 1994 and Carlton Studios from 1994 till 2005.-East Midlands Television Centre...
, the University's new campus at Lenton Lane. This provided a reading Room, Store, Conservation, reprographical digitisation workshops and offices, with space for more expansion.
The office has been appointed by the
Lord ChancellorThe Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
as a repository for specified classes of public records (hospital records; British Coal, research report series). It has been approved for the custody of collections of national significance accepted in lieu of tax. It is recognised by the
Master of the RollsThe Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal...
as a repository for manorial documents. It is also approved by the
Bishop of Southwell and NottinghamThe Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham is the diocesan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham in the Province of York.The diocese covers including the whole of Nottinghamshire and a small area of South Yorkshire...
as a repository for the archive of the former Archdeaconry of Nottingham.
In October 2005, the Portland (London), Portland of Welbeck, and Newcastle of Clumber papers won recognition through the Designation Scheme of the
Museums, Libraries and Archives CouncilThe Museums, Libraries and Archives Council is a non-departmental public body in England and a registered charity with a remit to promote improvement and innovation in the area of museums, libraries and archives...
(MLA), as being of outstanding national and international importance. The
D.H. LawrenceDavid Herbert Richards Lawrence was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter who published as D. H. Lawrence. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation...
Collection was similarly recognized in February 2008.