Sir Angus (McKay) Fraser Collection
Contains records with digital mediaPlease note
The catalogue titles or descriptions in this collection may contain terminology and phrases that would now be considered unacceptable. Where present these original terms continue to be included to preserve historical accuracy and provide social and historical context.Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.
See the Access and usage section below for further details.
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: Sir Angus (McKay) Fraser Collection
Classmark: BC MS Rom/Fraser
Original reference: BC MS Rom/Fraser/1-4
Creator(s): Fraser, Angus M()
Date(s): 1562 - 2001
Language: English; Spanish; German; Romany; French; Latin; Italian; Hebrew
Size and medium: 30 boxes; papers; books; pamphlets; black and white photographs; cassette tapes; colour photographs; index cards; newspaper cuttings; letters; vinyl records; VHS videos; manuscript papers
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/611596
Collection group(s): Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
Description
Personal papers, printed works, manuscripts, correspondence and research material referencing Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in UK and Europe as collected by Sir Angus (McKay) Fraser in the course of his role as Assistant Editor of the Gypsy Lore Society and as author of the book, "The Gypsies." (1992/1995).
Subjects include but are not limited to national legislation in European countries, history, language/dialects, culture, representation in the Arts, religion, the Holocaust [Porajmos] the work of the Gypsy Lore Society and Romani Studies/scholarship.
Includes a large volume of official Spanish documents dealing with laws relating to "Gitanos" [Roma] in Spain.
Also references the transfer of leadership of the Gypsy Lore Society to its North American Chapter.
Biography or history
Sir Angus McKay Fraser (1928-2001) was an honoured British Civil Servant who in his personal life also became a recognised authority and writer on both the life and works of George Borrow and what has become known as Romani Studies (interdisciplinary studies of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma). In 1992 he published his major work 'The Gypsies; The Peoples of Europe.'
Born in Maxwelltown, Dumfries (10 March 1928) Fraser was educated at Falkirk High School and studied Modern Languages at Glasgow University. During this time he developed an interest in the books of George Borrow (19th Century travel writer whose works often featured Gypsies, Travellers and Roma).
He was a longstanding member of the Gypsy Lore Society and became Assistant Editor for its Journal, (c.1956-1973 and again in 1991-1992 at a time when its leadership moved to the North American Chapter of the Society). He published numerous articles, a script and became a world recognised authority who was consulted by various organisations involved in projects with Gypsies, Travellers and Roma (e.g. National Geographic). In doing so, he bridged the gap between the more traditional sometimes romanticised 'Gypsylorist,' approaches of the Society's early members to more contemporary studies of the realities for many of these communities, particularly with reference to the fate of some of these communities in the Holocaust. He became part of network of world leading Romani scholars such as Thomas Acton (UK, Europe) and Ian Hancock,(USA) speaking at and attending International Conferences and contributing to Romani Studies courses/seminars and was in correspondence with a number of these
contemporaries.
Throughout, Fraser also carved out a distinguished career as a civil servant (receiving a CBE in 1981 and a knighthood in 1985). Beginning in 1953 at Customs and Excise, he was later involved in the negotiations for British entry into the EEC (1960s-70s), appointed First Civil Service Commissioner, (1981) served as Chairman of Customs and Excise (1983 -1987) and lastly was Efficiency Adviser to the Prime Minister(1988-1992).
He retired in 1992 and on approaching /during his retirement he was able to devote more time to these outside interests. In 1991 he became instrumental in founding the George Borrow Society and in 1992 'The Gypsies' was published.
During his life Fraser collected a wealth of research material and original works/documents referencing Gypsies, Traveller and Roma. In doing so he appears to have consulted two key sources, George Fraser Black's "Gypsy Bibliography" and the "Leeds University Romany Catalogue," [Romany Collections of Dorothy Una Ratcliffe] with many items citing these cross references.
With an aptitude for languages he accumulated many European documents, (particularly legislation). A large number focused on Spain, possibly influenced by Borrow's "The Zincali" -("Account of the Gypsies of Spain") and Borrow's time working (for the Foreign Bible Society) and living in Spain (staying on in Seville to finalise “The Zincali.”)
Fraser was President of the Borrow Society at the time of his death in 2001.
Provenance
The Archive was deposited along with Fraser's library of books, [shelfmark pre-fix BC Rom/Fraser] by the executors of his estate in December 2001. Some manuscripts were catalogued in 2011 with an accompanying handlist and made available via online catalogue (BC MS Rom/Fraser 1-4).
However a large amount of material remained uncatalogued. In 2017 this material along with the partially catalogued material (BC MS Rom/Fraser 1-4) was catalogued/re-catalogued as part of the National Cataloguing Grant project , "Collectors and Activists."
New references have been allocated to items, with any original references now listed under, "alternative references."
System of arrangement
The Collection has been ordered in series by the Archivist (2016/17). Some series reflect the original handlists supplied by Sir Angus M. Fraser [for details see 'system of arrangement' ].
Access and usage
Reproduction
Access
This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.
The catalogue titles or descriptions in this collection may contain terminology and phrases that would now be considered unacceptable. Where present these original terms continue to be included to preserve historical accuracy and provide social and historical context.
View the Cultural Collections sensitivity policy
Notes on terminology and spellings
Please note that there may be differences in the terms used to describe the particular communities represented in this collection, many of which have changed over time and may continue to change.
At the time this catalogue was created there are many definitions that identify different cultural and ethnic groups with their varied histories, traditions and associations with a travelling life.
These can include but are not limited to those that have been recognised in UK law as ethnic groups; English and Welsh (Romany) Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers; and non-ethnic groups that consider themselves distinct even if these have not been recognised in UK law, e.g. New Travellers, Showmen and Bargees. Outside of the UK 'Gypsy' may also be considered offensive and ‘Roma’ is often used instead as the universally preferred term although this term also represents a wide range of distinct groups, (e.g. Sinti, Manouche).
It is our intention to respectfully and (where possible) accurately refer to these different communities in the catalogue. For this reason we ask you to note the following with regards to the descriptions in this catalogue that have been based on these current definitions:
1) As many of these definitions have only come into being since the collection was created/1st catalogued, please be aware that original descriptions may not accurately reflect the group to which it refers, (e.g. the word 'Gypsy,' may have been used to describe those now recognised as Irish Travellers/Roma). Therefore it is worth searching under various terms, e.g. 'Romany' and 'Traveller,' to broaden the scope of search results as well as using the alternative historical spellings, 'Gipsy,' 'Gipsie,' or ‘Romani.’
2) Where no original description exists and it is not possible to properly identify a distinct group they will be described as "Gypsy Traveller" (within UK setting), "Roma" for those living/recently originating outside the UK or "Gypsy, Traveller, Roma " for origin/locations unknown. References to any non - ethnic groups will similarly be capitalised to respectfully acknowledge all groups.
Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.
Some parts of this collection are in copyright. Photocopies or digital images of the material in copyright can be supplied for private study purposes only. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder’s permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.
On our website
Collection guide: Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
The Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections consist of separate collections that reference a variety of both ethnic (eg Romany/Irish Traveller) and non-ethnic (eg New Traveller) communities with a nomadic culture, history or lifestyle.