NMBL Collections

1892-1938     Manuscripts, notes, letters and notebooks     [PAL1]

1909-1920     Manuscripts, letters, reports, cards, charts     [PBD1]

Summary:

• General correspondence; 
• Correspondence with Treasury, with E.J. Allen and with S. W. Kemp;
• Khedive/Huxley research vessel; 
• Ray Lankester Fund; 
• MBA physiological research; 
• MBA extensions; 
• Association of British Fisheries; 
• Formation of the Company of Biologists; 
• Bottom drifters experiment
• Miscellaneous material.

1892-1937     Letters, notebooks, reports, folders     [PBR1]

• Port Erin, Valencia and Plymouth notebooks (1892-1898); 
• Drawings and descriptions of Medusae. 
• Letters to E.T. Browne. Most of the letters are sorted into envelopes according to writer. There is a catalogue of letters (1892-1903). 
• A further package, mainly relating to Browne's estate, is in Director's Office papers (MD5)

1939-1972     Scientific manuscripts, letters, data and reports     [PCP1]

1900-1936     Letters, reports, data, notebooks, photographs     [PCR1] 

• Includes Plymouth fauna records (1904-1908); 
• English Channel Investigations (1906); 
• Plankton experiments (1912-1913); 
• "Scotia" investigations (1913-1914); 
• Sponge fishery investigations in Cyprus (1929) and the British West Indies (1919-1934), 
• Correspondence, accounts, and photographs; 
• Scientific notebooks and diaries.

1924     Letters, reports and photographs     [PFO1 ] 

Correspondence with J. Stanley Gardiner relating to the Association of British Fisheries. 
Note: Additional material on the Association is in G.P. Bidder papers (PBD12).
 

1909-1931     Letters, papers, press cuttings     [PHR1]

• Material on Cope, Scotia, Stackhouse and Shackleton Antarctic Expeditions; 
• Material on proposed new Challenger Expedition; 

1943-1945     Letters and press cuttings     [PKE1]  

1884 -1888     Letters and reports     [MB2.1]

• Letters from Anton Dohrn, Alexander Agassiz, John Murray, and from Marlborough House confirming that the Prince of Wales would be Patron. 
• Appeals for funds, and responses from Government bodies, City companies, and individuals; 
• Letters of support; memoranda and reports prepared for the MBA Council;
• Evidence to Royal Commission on Trawling; 
• Correspondence with Home Office, Board of Trade, Scottish Fishery Board, Marine Fisheries Society, and Agent General for New Zealand. 

1940-1957     Album, letters, notes, watercolours     [PLE1]

• Volume of drawings, photographs and notes by MBA staff, members and colleagues, presented on her 80th birthday; 
• Documents relating to the collection and the arrangements for the presentation;
• Watercolour sketches of fish, most of them probably done in Bermuda.

1921-1984     Letters, laboratory notebooks, drawings, photographs    [PRU1]

• Scientific notebooks; 
• General correspondence; 
• Plankton, ICES, tunny, young fish, Medusae correspondence, drawings and notes; 
• Fish data and drawings; 
• The Seas (book with C.M. Yonge); 
• Royal Society Defence Services Research Facilities Committee papers; 
• Correspondence relating to George Parker Bidder; 
• Newspaper cuttings
• Obituary material including his memorial service, July 1984. 
• Generally excludes material related to MBA administration. Additional relevant material is in Director's Office documents.

1937-1981     Drawings, notes and journal proofs     [PSM1]

Illustrations and Proofs for Scientific Papers 

Summary: 

• Includes Asterias, Echinus and Littorina material.
• Additional material in Director's Office and Journal Editor's documents.

196- to 198-?     1 folder and 1 envelope     [PWL1]

• His own biographical notes 
• A copy of his Sea life in focus: 60 years of marine photography
• Index of literature on polychaete larvae. 
• Other D.P. Wilson materials are in the photographic and Easter Class archives.

• Director's reports to Council.
  1888-1893     Manuscript reports     [MD 1.1] 
  Summary: Reports of G.C. Bourne (October 1888 to April 1890); G.H. Fowler (as Interim Director) (November 1890); W.L. Calderwood (January 1891-1893). Generally submitted monthly.
• Early scientific work.
  1889-1893     Letters, reports and record sheets     [MD 1.2] 
  Summary: Includes oyster culture, with letter from Luis Falero and apparatus specification; letters regarding the establishment of a marine pond for fish hatchery in Plymouth Sound; Record sheets of MBA survey of North Sea fishing grounds (/892-1893); letters regarding Sheerness Moat, mainly from W.H. Shrubsole; letters regarding the MBA trawling in Whitsand Bay; quotation from James White, Contractors to the Admiralty, for supply of So. machine.
• William Roach's reports to the Director on the trawler fishery in the Plymouth area.
  1889-1893     Letters, notebook and record sheets    [MD1.3] 
  Note: William Roach was the MBA Fisherman.

• F.B. Stead's Memorandum into the results of investigations into the contents of certain bays on the South coast of Devon.
  189- ?     Booklet     [MD2.1]
  Note: Assistant Naturalist 1894-1897.
  Summary: Submitted for the information of the sub-committee of enquiry appointed by the Devon Sea Fisheries Committee.
• Report on fishery statistics.
  1896     3 booklets     [MD2.2]
  Note: Prepared for the MBA Council by the MBA Naturalists.
  Summary: Includes confidential proof of the version of the report to be presented by the MBA Council to the Board of Trade. with suggestions for improving the adequacy and accuracy of fishery statistics.
• S.S. Ariel: damage to MBA pipe in Plymouth Sound.
  1896-1897     Letters     [MD2.3]
  Summary: S.S. Ariel was driven ashore causing damage to an MBA pipe. MBA claimed negligence; owners claimed that it was an Act of God.
• Reports of the Committees of Inspection of the Plymouth and Lowestoft laboratories.
  1906     2 leaflets     [MD2.4] 
  Summary: The Plymouth committee consisted of H.R. Mill and G.C. Bourne; the Lowestoft committee was H.R. Mill, J.A. Travers, G.P. Bidder and E.J. Allen. One leaflet entitled "Work of the Lowestoft laboratory" reviews the history and current activities.
• Transportation of young fish to New Zealand: E.J. Allen papers.
  1909-1913     Letters and reports     [MD2.5] 
  Summary: Report by A.E. Hefford (1909) on experiments on the effect of low temperatures on turbot; correspondence with T. Anderton, Curator of Portobello Fish Hatchery, and the New Zealand High Commissioner, regarding successful shipments of lobsters, crabs and turbot to New Zealand; herring also sent, but did not survive. 
• Visit to Bridport net manufacturers.
  1914     4 manuscript sheets     [MD2.6] 
  Summary: Lists small meshed nets manufacturers, with descriptions of their machinery and products.
• Wood treatment tests for S.A. Walton: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1917-1918     Letters     [MD2.7]
  Note: 1 folder.
  Summary: Correspondence and report concerning tests carried out regarding treatment of wood against crustacean borers (gribble).

• British Instructional Films: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1922-1924     Letters and agreement     [MD3.1] 
  Summary: Correspondence and agreement with British Instructional Films Ltd, Elstree, regarding the production and sale of films on marine biology.
• Interdepartmental Conference on Fishery Investigations: E.J. Allen papers.
  1924     Letters and reports     [MD3.2] 
  Note: Meeting held at MAFF, London on 12 August 1924.
• Fishery expert for New Zealand: E.J. Allen papers.
  1924     Letters and reports     [MD3.3] 
  Summary: Correspondence with the Dominion of New Zealand London offices regarding selection and interview expenses for the appointment of a Fishery Expert for the New Zealand Marine Department. A.E. Hefford was appointed.
• Zoological Record: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1924-1925     Letters and reports     [MD3.4] 
  Summary: Correspondence with the Zoological Record Association relating to the MBA Council guaranteeing any deficit on Zoological Record, 1924 and following volumes, to a maximum of 5 guineas.
• Seawater samples for Prof. F. Haber: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1924-1925     Letters     [MD3.5] 
  Summary: Correspondence with Professor F. Haber of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institut fur Physikalische Chemie und Elektrochemie, Berlin, regarding the collection and supply of seawater samples.
• Newfoundland fishery research: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1929     Letters and reports     [MD3.6] 
  Summary: Correspondence with the Empire Marketing Board, London, with documents relating to the need for fishery research in Newfoundland
• Documents relating to grants, gifts and bequests.
  1920-1976     Letters and reports     [MD3.7]
  Note: Additional material is in Finance Office records.
  Summary: Includes British Association grant (1920-1921); Fishmongers Company grants (1922-1928);Rockefeller Foundation grants (1930 and 1937-1946), and $30,000 grant (1954-1963); Royal Society grants (1920-1937); Florence Buchanan legacy (1936-1938); Albert R. T. Momber bequest (1933-1954); Mrs T.H. Riches' gift of books, microscopes and apparatus (1935-1936); Wellcome Trust grant for electron microscope (1964-1966).
• British Association for the Advancement of Science grant.
  1920-1921     Letters     [MD3.8]
  Summary: Grant of £200 to Special Fund
• Royal Society grants.
  1920-1937     Letters and reports     [MD3.9]
  Summary: Includes regular grants, miscellaneous small grants, and Gore Fund grants.
• Florence Buchanan legacy.
  1936-1938     Letters and reports     [MD3.10]
  Note: Dr Florence Buchanan (University College, London) was an MBA member.
  Summary: The legacy of £150 for physiological apparatus was used towards the Constant Temperature Room, which was funded mainly by the Rockefeller Foundation. Allen and Kemp correspondence, with some letters from A. V. Hill.
• Albert R.T. Momber bequest.
  1933-1954     Letters and legal documents     [MD3.11] 
  Note: Albert Reginald Theodore Momber died in 1911. The MBA was one of a number of institutions and societies to have a share in the residuary estate.
  Summary: Allen, Kemp and Russell correspondence with solicitors. The MBA received approximately £1100 in 1953-1954.
• Mrs T .H. Riches gift.
  1934-1936     Letters     [MD3.12] 
  Note: Thomas Henry Riches was a Founder Member of the MBA, and a visiting worker. He died in 1935.
  Summary: E.J. Allen correspondence with Katherine A. Riches and with Professor P.A. Buxton, Honorary Secretary of the Freshwater Biological Association. Mrs Riches gave books and journals, microscopes and apparatus; similar gifts were made to the FBA.
• Fishmongers Company grants. 
  1922-1928     Letters and forms.     [MD3.13]
  Summary: Grants to the MBA and Inland Revenue tax recovery documents.
• Rockefeller Foundation grants.
  1930-1963     Correspondence and financial documents     [MD3.14] 
  Summary: Grants (1930 and 1937-1946), and $30,000 grant (1954-1963). Includes some letters from A. V. Hill.
• Wellcome Trust grant for electron microscope.
  1964-1966     Letters and accounts     [MD3.15] 
  Summary: Grant of £17, 750 for purchase of an electron microscope; £1,229 being used towards laboratory conversion.
• Development Fund memoranda and reports. 
  1919-1939     Letters and reports     [MD3.20] 
  Summary: Treasury Development Fund, Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research, and Development Commission papers concerning financial support for the Plymouth Laboratory.
• Newspaper reports of MBA interest.
  1923-1984     3 parcels     [MD3.21]
  Summary: Collected mainly by Director, Director's Secretary, and D.P. Wilson.

• Carnegie United Kingdom Trust: unsuccessful application by E.J. Allen for funds : for the library.
  1930     Letters     [MD4.1] 
  Summary: Application for £1,000 for publications, at the time of the appeal for funds for the new library building. 
• Admiralty Hydrographic Department: E.J. Allen correspondence relating to the new ship "HMS Challenger".
  1930-31     Letters    [MD4.2]
• Anti fouling and corrosion: E.J. Allen and F.S. Russell correspondence and reports on tests undertaken and advice provided by the MBA.
  1931-1951     Letters     [MD4.3] 
  Summary: Includes Birmabright Ltd (1931-32); LMS Railway (/932 and 1934); Iron and Steel Institute (1932-36); HMS Vernon (1934); GW Railway (/937); Devonport Dockyard (1932-51).
• Zostera investigations: correspondence and reports.
  1933-37     Letters and reports    [MD4.4 ] 
  Note: Some additional material is in E.J. Browne's Zostera file.
  Summary: T. Tutin was the investigator and financial records and his reports are included
• Marine wood borers: E.J. Allen correspondence with DSIR Forest Products Research Laboratory.
  1934-35     Letters and reports     [MD4.5] 
  Summary: Includes proposals for research into Teredo and other marine wood borers to be carried out by the MBA.
• Sponge fisheries in the Bahamas: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1935-36     Letters     [MD4.6] 
  Summary: Correspondence with the Colonial Office, MAFF and others regarding the appointment of staff for sponge fisheries investigations in the Bahamas.
• Oil pollution: E.J. Allen correspondence.
  1936     Letters     [MD4.7] 
  Summary: N.K. Adam of the Chemistry Department of University College, London, carried out an investigation of oil pollution causey by discharges from ships, at the request of the Royal Society.
• Mackerel Investigations: correspondence and progress reports.
  1936-48     Letters and reports     [MD4.8]
  Note: The MBA received a MAFF grant-in-aid for "directed" research.
  Summary: Includes the appointment of the research assistant (Peter G. Corbin) in 1936, and correspondence with the ICES Mackerel Sub-Committee.
• E.W. Sexton's Gammarus work: S.W. Kemp correspondence.
  1937     Letters     [MD4.9] 
  Summary: Letters mainly to and from Julian Huxley regarding the mistaken impression that Mrs Sexton was to discontinue her work on Gammarus.
• Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee: S.W. Kemp and F.S. Russell correspondence and reports.
  1937-49     Letters and reports     [MD4.10]
  Note: Kemp, followed by Russell, were members of the Committee.
  Summary: Includes committee reports and background papers.
• International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES): S.W. Kemp correspondence.
  1938-42     Letters and reports     [MD4.11]
  Summary: Includes letters and memoranda from A.C. Hardy and other scientists.
• Hong Kong fisheries: S.W. Kemp and F.S. Russell correspondence.
  1938-47     Letters     [MD4.12] 
  Summary: Material relating to the establishment of a fisheries research station and aquarium. Includes letters to and from Hong Kong Civil Affairs Staff, London, Hong Kong Development Secretariat, Hong Kong, and Geoffrey Herklots, Secretary for Development, Hong Kong.
• Marine Corrosion Sub-committee (Iron and Steel Industrial Research Council):reports and background papers.
  1941-46     Letters and reports     [MD4.14]
  Note: A sub-committee of the Corrosion Committee of ISIRC.
  Summary: Includes background papers by MBA staff (W.R.G. Atkins, H. W. Harvey and F.A. Stanbury).
• Indian fisheries: S.W. Kemp and F.S. Russell correspondence regarding the development of Indian fisheries and fisheries research.
  1939-45     Letter and reports     [MD4.15] 
  Summary: Correspondence with British and Indian government and state offices, and individuals, with comments on various reports.
• Interdepartmental Committee on the Post-war Regulation of Fisheries: S.W. Kemp correspondence and reports.
  1940-41     Letters and reports     [MD4.16]
• Bermuda Biological Station for Research: S.W. Kemp and F.S. Russell correspondence.
  1940-46     Letters and reports     [MD4.17]
  Note: Related material is in the papers of the Royal Society Browne Research Fund 
  Summary: Correspondence, reports and memoranda relating to the Bermuda Station and the deliberations of the Bermuda Committee of the Royal Society.
• Seaweed Survey of the British Isles: S.W. Kemp correspondence relating to the survey undertaken by V.J. Chapman.
  1941-42     Letters and reports     [MD4.18] 
  Note: See also: papers of R.A. Richens (PR11); JMBA,26, 37-60, 1944 (Chapman, V.J.); and the book: Richens, R.H.; Fogg, G.E.; Lewin R.A. Strictly marginal. British Phycological Society, 1995 (BK.1/R).
  Summary: Material relating to the Ministry of Supply contract for a seaweed survey, undertaken by V.J. Chapman with the assistance of G.E. Fogg, R.A. Lewin and R.H. Richens, mainly in relation to supplies for the production of calcium alginate by factories of Cefoil Ltd., of Oban.
• British Celanese tests: S.W. Kemp correspondence.
  1941-45     Letters and reports     [MD4.19] 
  Summary: Seawater immersion and biological tests of fabrics, cords and ropes, for British Celanese Ltd., London.
• Indian Jute Mills Association: S.W. Kemp correspondence.
  1942     Letters     [MD4.20] 
  Summary: Correspondence relating to tests carried out for the Sandbag Advisory Committee.
• The fishes and fisheries of the Gold Coast, by F.R. Irvine: S.W. Kemp correspondence relating to the printing and publication of the book.
  1942-45     Letters and proofs     [MD4.21] 
  Note: Irvine, F.R. The fishes and fisheries of the Gold Coast. xiv, 352p. London: Crown Agents for the Colonies, for the Government of the Gold Coast, 1947 (Printed by Cambridge University Press) "Dedicated gratefully to the memory of the late Dr Stanley Kemp, F.R.S."
• Proposed oceanographic expedition off south west Ireland: S.W. Kemp and F.S. Russell correspondence.
  1943-47     Letters and reports       [MD4.22]
  Note: Related material IS in the Royal Society Browne Research Fund papers.
  Summary: Includes memoranda and comments to F.S. Russell (as convenor) from N.A. Mackintosh, G.E.R. Deacon, R.B. Seymour Sewell, A.C. Hardy, and others.
• Correspondence and memoranda on post-war research programmes and requirements.
  1944-1949     Letters and reports     [MD4.23] 
  Summary: Includes papers by S. W. Kemp; L.H.N. Cooper; F.E. Fritsch; H. W. Harvey; O.D. Hunt; M Knight; M V. Lebour; F.S. Russell; A. Sand; D.P. Wilson.
• Plankton sampler from Fred Schueler: F.S. Russell correspondence.
  1946-47     Letters     [MD4.24] 
  Summary: The purchase and import of a plankton sampler from Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
• Weather ships in the North Atlantic: F.S. Russell correspondence.
  1946-1951     Letters and reports     [MD4.25] 
  Summary: Correspondence with Meteorological Office, British marine scientists, ICES Plankton and Hydrographical Committees regarding the use of Weather Ships for the collection of oceanographic and plankton data.
• Advisory Council on Scientific Policy Committee on Foreign Seaweeds: F.S. Russell papers.
  1949-50     Letters and reports     [MD4.26]
  Summary: Material relating particularly to concerns about the introduction of Macrocystis.
• Letters from Lord Moyne to S.W. Kemp regarding cruise by J.S. Colman on Lord Moyne's yacht.
  1937     Letters and telegrams     [MD4.27]
  Note: Lord Moyne was a former MBA President.
• Challenger Society for the Promotion. of the Study of Oceanography: correspondence with E.J. Allen and F.S. Russell, and related documents.
  1928-1955     Letters, meeting agendas and reports, circulars     [MD4.28] 
  Note: Earlier material of a similar nature is in E.T. Browne papers. For Plymouth meetings 1954, 1961 and 1971 see MG3 
  Summary: Correspondence, with leaflets, reports and meetings documents.
• Postcard to Dr Kemp from D.(?)E. Davies regarding the disappearance of Commander Carey from R.R.S. Discovery in 1933.
  1939     Postcard     [MD4.29] 
  Summary: From Harscombe, Shaugh Prior, addressed to Dr Kemp, Discovery Committee. Colonial Office, London, and referring to a previous letter regarding the Board of Trade Inquiry into the circumstances attending the disappearance of Commander Carey.

• War damage, and letters of condolence.
  1940-1941     Letters and reports    [MD4.31] Receipts and payments balance sheets.
  1941     Manuscript sheets    [MD4.32]
• Library valuation, 1941.
  1940-1941     Letters and lists     [MD4.33]
  Note: Related material is in Library archives.
  Summary: Valuation was undertaken by R.R. Trout of Store Street, London. Estimated value was £15,754.
• Removal of the library to Hawkmoor House.
  1941-1944     Letters and legal documents     [MD4.34]
  Note: Additional material is in Library archives.
  Summary: For safety from potential bomb damage, the library's books and journals were removed to Hawkmoor House, Tavistock.
• The Laboratory's cars in wartime.
  1941-1946     Letters and forms     [MD4.35]
  Summary: Includes permits and issue of petrol coupons.
• Proposed laboratory hostel. 
  1944-1946     Letters     [MD4.36] 
  Summary: The possibility of purchasing property in St. James' Terrace or Athenaeum Street.
• Lists of documents in the safe, and backfiled correspondence.
  1921-1958     Loose-leaf book and 3 handwritten sheets     [MD4.13] 
  Summary: Lists of leases, certificates, agreements, policies. List of papers in the deed box (1921); List of documents in safe (1925); List of documents in safe (1936). The loose-leaf book (1958) contains details of documents in the safes in the Director's office, with alphabetical lists of current and backfiled correspondence.

• Memoranda on the work of the Plymouth Laboratory, 1946-1964.
  1950-1964     Letters and reports     [MD6.8] 
  Summary: Five-year reviews and forward looks; F.S. Russell memorandum on scientific policy (1955); reports on need for a fast launch, electron microscopes, radioactive substances research, R. V. Sarsia, the work of the research ships, seawater circulation, aquarium improvements, and the proposal for a Natural Resources (sic) Research Council.
• Forms, notices, descriptive leaflets and memoranda.
  1945-1964     Reports, leaflets, forms    [MD6.9]
  Note: F.S. Russell's file.
  Summary: Includes Laboratory and Library regulations, meetings, social functions, microscopes, opening of the new aquarium (1959).
• Letters of thanks from visitors to F .S. Russell.
  1945-1966     Letters     [MD6.7] 
  Summary: 351 letters, 1945-1959, in 2 envelopes; 189 letters, 1960-1966, in 1 envelope. Formal, informal and personal letters, with comments on research activities, people and institutions.

• Programme Review by NERC Visiting Group, December 1976.
  1976-1977     Letters and reports     [MD8.2] 
  Summary: Background papers, correspondence, report, and material concerning NERC Council meeting at the MBA (September 1977).
• Programme Review by NERC Visiting Group, December 1982.
  1982     1 box file and 1 parcel     [MD8.3]
  Summary: Background papers.
• Programme Review by NERC Visiting Group, December 1986.
  1986     2 volumes in 1 box file     [MD8.4]
  Summary: Background papers.
• Inswork Point (Millbrook/ Tamar) proposed generating station Public Inquiry.
  1970-1971     1 folder and 1 envelope     [MD8.6] 
  Summary: MBA and IMER evidence submitted to the inquiry by Dr Molly Spooner, with background documents.

• Royal Society committees: S.W. Kemp and F.S. Russell correspondence and reports.
  1937-49     Letters and reports     [MD12.1]
  Note: Kemp and Russell were active members of several Royal Society committees.
  Summary: Includes reports and background papers of Publications Committee (1938); Biological Expeditions Committee (1937-39); Naval and Airborne Research Committees (1944-48); and Browne Research Fund Committee (1947-49).
• Royal Society Correspondence.
  1938-1972     Letters, circulars and reports     [MD12.2] 
  Summary: Files cover the years 1938-1956, 1956-1963 and 1964-1972. Includes grant applications.