Dominions Royal Commission diary letters

Manuscript letters written by Harding on his overseas visits with the Royal Commission, 1913-1916; a typescript transcript of the letters, made in 1988, 1 volume; several pages of notes; and 'Royal Commonwealth Society library notes', nos 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 and 127.

Sir Edward John Harding (1880-1954) became Secretary of the Royal Commission on the Natural Resources, Trade and Legislation of Certain Portions of His Majesty's Dominions in December 1912. He accompanied the commission on all of its overseas visits: Australia and New Zealand (1913), South Africa (1914) and Canada (1914 and 1916). During these trips, he wrote long, informal letters to members of his family, constituting a diary of his experiences and views.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Presented by Sir Harry Batterbee, brother-in-law and executor of Sir Edward Harding.

Includes index.

MSS 11; Case A72

Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 31.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

An extended summary of the material, with quotations, can be found in 'Insight on a Royal Commission' in 'Royal Commonwealth Society library notes', nos 115, pp. 1-3; 117, pp. 1-4; 119, pp. 1-3; 121, pp. 1-3; 123, pp. 1-4; 125, pp. 1-5; and 127, pp. 1-5.

This collection level description was created by RAS.

Harding, Sir Edward John, 1880-1954, Knight, colonial administrator