| Description | Correspondence, notebooks, diaries and miscellaneous papers which belonged or related to Anne Chamberlain, Neville Chamberlain's wife.
The series includes a large amount of correspondence including letters from politicians and their wives, peers and their wives, and various other incidivuals. These cover a variety of topics including political matters; messages of congratulations and support; historical studies of Neville Chamberlain following his death, particularly Keith Feiling's biography; social engagements; and personal matters. A small number of letters addressed to Neville Chamberlain and others, for example Neville's daughter, Dorothy Lloyd, have also been placed in this series.
A variety of Anne Chamberlain's own notes such as her diary of Neville Chamberlain's final days before his death at Highfield Park and notes of visits to First World War widows are also contained in the series.
The series also contains some drafts or transcripts of speeches by Anne Chamberlain; articles written by others about Anne Chamberlain; some press cuttings; and some items she was presented with by the Italian and Japanese ambassadors. |
| Administrative History | Anne Vere Cole, who was known as 'Annie' among her family and friends, was born in 1882, the daughter of William Utting and Mary [née de Vere] Cole. She married Neville Chamberlain in January 1911. She keenly supported her husband in his political career, helped with election campaigning, gave speeches, was involved in the women's groups of the Conservative and Unionist Party, attended various public engagements, and hosted various parties and dinners. Following Neville's death, she was greatly involved with her husband's historical legacy. This included her help with the publication of the official biography of Neville Chamberlain by Keith Feiling and she contacted various colleagues, friends and relatives of her husband in order to obtain copies of correspondence and other documents for use in the book. She died in 1967. |