University of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections

Manuscripts and Special Collections is part of Information Services at The University of Nottingham and is located at King's Meadow Campus.

Our printed, manuscript and archive collections together provide a rich resource for studies at all levels for a wide range of subjects. The Library has been collecting manuscripts since the early 1930s and now holds approximately 3 million documents, extensive holdings of printed collections, and the East Midlands Collection of local material.

Our website includes further information, online catalogues, online exhibitions, learning resources, research guidance resources to assist users of original material, and other digitised content.

This archive has Designated Collections of national importance: the Portland (London), Portland of Welbeck and Newcastle of Clumber family and estate papers, and the D H Lawrence Collection.

The D.H. Lawrence, Portland (London), Portland of Welbeck, and Newcastle of Clumber papers have been Designated as Outstanding Collections by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

The latter collections comprise family, estate, political and literary papers, 12th – 20th centuries. These collections are of outstanding significance for the study of how the two families influenced the political, literary and economic history of England. The families represented in these collections are significant to national and international life.

The D H Lawrence collection comprehensively covers the work of D H Lawrence and is particularly strong in original material relating to his native Nottinghamshire. It demonstrates the significant cultural impact of Lawrence on the latter half of 20th century, including that on the publishing industry and demonstrates his status as a figure of both national and international importance.

Manuscript holdings include the papers of leading Nottinghamshire families and their estates, the records of local businesses and organisation, including those of the Archdeaconry of Nottingham, 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 Wollaton Library Collection of medieval manuscripts and printed books is the subject of current projects.

The printed collections include the subject areas of 18th to 19th century drama, children's educational literature, the history of medicine, Icelandic literature, the French Revolution, and D.H. Lawrence. Collections acquired from institutional libraries are also held, as well as a general special collection of early or rare books many of which have been transferred from general library holdings.

The East Midlands Collection contains books, pamphlets, periodicals and other materials on the historic counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

Collection details

Literature, Archives

Key artists and exhibits

• D.H. Lawrence
• Cavendish-Bentinck family, Dukes of Portland, of Welbeck
• Pelham-Clinton family, Dukes of Newcastle, of Clumber
• Medieval manuscripts
• Archdeaconry of Nottingham
• Designated Collections