May 6, 2025, by uazawm
On trial: London Life, 1965-1966, The Sphere, 1900-1964, Communisms and the Cold War, 1944–1986, Kenya Under Colonial Rule, in Government Reports, 1907–1964 and Slavery, Exploitation, and Trade in the West Indies, 1759–1832.
We are pleased to announce trial access to 5 British Online Archives collections.
London Life, 1965-1966, The Sphere, 1900-1964, Communisms and the Cold War, 1944–1986, Kenya Under Colonial Rule, in Government Reports, 1907–1964 and Slavery, Exploitation, and Trade in the West Indies, 1759–1832.
London Life, 1965-1966:
Launched in 1965, London Life was one of several titles owned by The Illustrated London News (ILN). A reincarnation of The Tatler (1901–1965)—which, from its inception, catered primarily to a wealthy and conservative readership—London Life represented a radical departure from its predecessor. This new magazine endeavoured to “reflect all aspects of the life of London”. Throughout its brief existence, it proved adept at conveying the spirit of the “Swinging Sixties” in the world’s “capital of cool”. Encompassing nearly 5,000 images, this collection contains all 63 issues of London Life, published between October 1965 and December of the following year.
London Life covered a wide range of topics, from music and film to sexuality and the thriving nightlife of London’s West End. It likewise captured the increasingly cosmopolitan nature of British society, documenting the emergence of a more diverse media landscape and audience. Featuring interviews with cultural icons, such as Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger, as well as contributions from rising stars, such as the supermodel, Jean Shrimpton, and the popular entertainer, Anita Harris, London Life remains emblematic of 1960s counterculture. This collection contains essential material for those interested in the cultural history of the 1960s and, more specifically, in Britain’s cultural revolution and the advent of its “permissive society”.
The Sphere, 1900-1964:
Established in 1900 and in circulation until 1964, The Sphere remained under the ownership of The Illustrated London News (ILN) for most of its existence. Clement Shorter—a former editor of the ILN—founded the publication. From its first issue, it adopted a consciously international outlook, aiming to “hold pictures and thoughts from all lands”. Upon its release, it was praised as “a striking advance in illustrated journalism” due to the beauty and artistry of its presentation. It soon became popular. This collection includes nearly 160,000 images and almost 4,000 issues from The Sphere, published between January 1900 and June 1964.
The Sphere reflected a patriotic and staunchly pro-establishment position, expressing support for the British monarchy and for the empire. The publication reported extensively on world events, such as the rise of communism, the First and Second World Wars, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. It printed articles discussing a wide range of prominent personalities from the arts, sciences, and politics—from John Ruskin to Albert Einstein; from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Golda Meir. It also featured contributions from well-known literary figures, such as the acclaimed children’s author, A. A. Milne, and the prolific journalist, Charles Graves. This collection contains vital material for researchers and students of British society, military history, and the legacies of colonialism.
Communisms and the Cold War, 1944–1986:
This collection contains reports and other records compiled by the Communist Party of Great Britain’s (CPGB) International Department between 1944 and 1986. This periodisation begins immediately after the dissolution of the Communist International (Comintern) and ends shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The majority of the documents cover the Sino-Soviet split and the Chinese-Indian disputes of the 1960s and 1970s. There are also materials relating to Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe, the left in Western Europe, and anti-colonial movements in the developing world. They provide a fascinating insight into the competing power blocs which arose throughout the communist world during the Cold War and how British communists reacted to the resulting, internecine disputes.
The collection is accompanied by three contextual essays written by Professor Kevin Morgan, a senior academic at the University of Manchester.
Kenya Under Colonial Rule, in Government Reports, 1907–1964:
Kenya Under Colonial Rule, in Government Reports, 1907–1964 contains papers from the British colonial government in Kenya. The documents in this collection reveal the approach that the British took to colonial rule throughout the country. British settlers exploited Kenya’s natural resources, forcing indigenous farmers onto infertile land and making them work on European-owned farms and plantations.
The government reports contained in this collection cover several important developments and events in twentieth century Kenyan history, including the period that the country was controlled by the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, the Mau Mau uprising that began in 1952, and the achievement of Kenyan independence in 1963. The documentation contained in this collection provides students and researchers with unique insights into the history of Kenya, its experience of British colonialism, and its turbulent path to independence.
Slavery, Exploitation, and Trade in the West Indies, 1759–1832:
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Jamaica was the largest and most profitable island in Britain’s West Indian plantation economy. An estimated one million enslaved Africans were forcibly shipped there to work on the island’s plantations, from which sugar was the main export. In 1759, Nathaniel Phillips of Slebech in Pembrokeshire moved to Jamaica. In 1761, he bought half of the Pleasant Hill plantation. During his time on the island he acquired four plantations and owned hundreds of enslaved people. Phillips’ papers form part of the Slebech Estate records held at the National Library of Wales. They provide numerous, albeit unsettling, insights into the history of slavery in Jamaica.
The documents in this collection date from 1759 to 1832. They cover Phillips’ arrival in Jamaica, his purchase of Pleasant Hill, his return to England as an absentee plantation owner in 1789, his death in 1813, and the subsequent division of his assets between his family. The collection contains a wealth of information regarding his financial activities in the West Indies and, importantly, the documents shed light on the experiences of enslaved people on his plantations. You will also find financial documents, correspondence relating to the management of Phillips’ estates in Britain, legal documents, and diaries. In addition, the collection features correspondence revealing Phillips’ fears—shared by his fellow plantation owners—of potential insurrections by enslaved people. Some letters likewise find him reflecting upon the impact of the Haitian revolution which began in 1791—a successful revolt by self-liberated enslaved people against French colonial rule in St. Domingue.
Slavery, Exploitation, and Trade in the West Indies, 1759–1832, is a rich resource for students and researchers wishing to explore the history of transatlantic slavery, in the development of the British empire. It will also appeal to those interested in the broader, social history of, and relationship between, Britain and the West Indies.
The trial runs until 31st June 2025
Do let us know what you think. Please send your feedback to the Libraries Collections team: collections@nottingham.ac.uk
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