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The College Archives, Magdalene College Cambridge

The College Archives

The College Archives provide a record of Magdalene as an institution and its current and former Members. It hold records dating from the sixteenth century up to the present day.

The collections comprise several types of records including:

  • Records relating to the administration and governance of the College.
  • Records relating to the College’s estates and buildings.
  • Drawings, plans, maps and photographs relating to the history and development of the College.
  • Personal papers of past and present students and Fellows.
  • Records relating to student groups and organisations associated with the College.
  • Photographs of College buildings, people and events.

Notable collections include the papers of several former Masters of Magdalene College, among them Daniel Waterland (1683-1740), Peter Peckard (1718-1797), and A. C. Benson (1862-1925), as well as the papers of other well-known alumni, such as George Mallory (1886-1924).

The Archives are housed in a the purpose-built Archive Centre in the New Library, to ensure their preservation for future generations. The Centre includes a reading room for students and researchers, to widen access to the Archives’ holdings.

Enquiries

Enquiries relating to the College Archive collections should be directed to the Archivist. We do not offer a research service and are unable to undertake in-depth research on your behalf. We may recommend that you visit us in person.

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Visiting the Archives

The Archives are available for use by students, staff and Fellows of Magdalene College, the wider academic community and the public. Researchers wishing to consult items in the collection must contact the Archivist in advance to arrange an appointment.

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Mallory Papers

This collection consists of records relating to George Mallory's time as a student at Magdalene and his career as a schoolmaster at Charterhouse. The bulk of the collection consists of letters written between him and his wife from 1914 until his death on Everest in 1924.

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Photographing, Copying or Publishing material from the Archives

Photography is not permitted in the Archives. Images can be purchased for private use from the Archives subject.

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Further Information

Further information about the Archives of Magdalene College.

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