Richard Crossman Papers

MSS.154

Richard Crossman Papers

1923-1974

Correspondence and subject files, 1926-1974; Crossman's publications, 1937-1973; papers re: Crossman, by other people, 1923-1976; diaries, 1928-1974; press cuttings, 1945-1974; photographs.

The deposit also includes some of the papers of his third wife Anne, his father-in-law A. P. McDougall, and his literary agent, Helga Greene. These have all been placed in category 6. Crossman's letters to his second wife, Zita, and her replies have been kept together in category 3.

Catalogued by Christine Woodland, May 1997

Crossman arranged his papers in various subject/correspondent files and that arrangement has been kept, with some slight modifications for consistency. The Centre's usual classification scheme has been followed, so that Crossman's subject files are arranged under category 3, his diaries under category 8, and press-cuttings under category 10. Some of the diaries were published but all the material relating to the published versions has been kept together in category 8, rather than putting it into category 4.

English

6 series, 29 sub-series

Preferred citation: Richard Crossman Papers (MSS.154), Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick

The diary transcripts and cassettes are only open after a written application has been approved by the vetting committee. Permission to read Crossman's correspondence with his second wife, Zita Baker is subject to a copyright agreement. Crossman's consititutency correspondence (MSS.154/3/COV/1-10) is available for research from 2005, but these files will need to be checked for sensitive personal data. Researchers wishing to use these files should contact the Centre for further information in advance of a visit. The rest of the collection is open to research.

The collection was deposited with the centre in several stages, between 1977 and 1996, by Crossman's widow, Mrs. Anne Crossman.

Richard Crossman was born in 1907. Member of Oxford city council, and leader of the Labour group, 1934-1940; German propaganda specialist, Special Operations, 1940-1941; Labour Member of Parliament for East Coventry, 1945-1974; member of Labour Party National Executive Committee, 1952-1967, and Chairman, 1960-1961; Minister of Housing and Local Government, 1964-1966; Leader of the House of Commons, 1966-1968; Secretary of State for Social Services, 1968-1970; editor of the New Statesman, 1970-1972; author of political and philosophical works, and the posthumously published political diaries. He died in 1974.

Reference: Michael Stenton and Stephen Lees, Who's Who of British Members of Parliament volume 4: 1945-1979, (Sussex, 1981)

References Anthony Howard, Crossman. The pursuit of power (Jonathan Cape, 1990)

Richard Crossman, The diaries of a cabinet minister. Volume 1, Minister of Housing 1964-1966 (Hamish Hamilton and Jonathan Cape, 1975)

Richard Crossman, The diaries of a cabinet minister.Volume 2, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, 1966-1968 (Hamish Hamilton and Jonathan Cape, 1976).

Richard Crossman, The diaries of a cabinet minister.Volume 3, Secretary of State for Social Services, 1968-1970 (Hamish Hamilton and Jonathan Cape, 1977).

Hugo Young, The Crossman Affair (Hamish Hamilton and Jonathan Cape, in association with the Sunday Times, 1976)

Edition Janet Morgan, The backbench diaries of Richard Crossman (Hamish Hamilton and Jonathan Cape, London, 1981).