Archives of the Ransome-Grant Literary Club

Description

10 minute books, biographical essay on Arthur James Grant, and envelope containing a few letters, membership list, book list and menus from various dinners.


The archive consists almost entirely of the club’s minute books. Dinner menus and cuttings of members’ obituaries are pasted in, there are lists of books read, and excursions are described in some detail, including on occasion who arrived by what mode of transport. There are also some photographs of the members at various beauty spots around Leeds.

Biography or history

The club was founded in 1889 as the Ransome Literary Club, for conversations and discussions of selected literary works. Their first President was Cyril Ransome, Professor of History at Yorkshire College, father of somewhat more famous Arthur Ransome of Swallows and Amazons fame. The first work the club read and discussed was Othello. When Ransome died in 1897, his successor as Professor of History, Arthur James Grant, became President and the club changed its name to reflect its new head. Gradually the club expanded its activities to include dinners, picnics and excursions as well as readings.

Provenance

Archive was kept by the Club until donated to Special Collections in 2017.

Access and usage

Access

This collection has not been listed in detail and access to parts of it may be protected under the Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation. If you would like to request access to any part of this collection, please contact Special Collections. Upon receipt of your request, a member of the team will discuss your requirements with you and review relevant material accordingly