This collection of the papers of the Glasgow poet Tom Leonard includes manuscript and typescript drafts of his poetry, as well as research papers and notes concerning his interests in literary theory, literary history and the Middle East.

The poetry drafts include many works for inclusion in his 'Outside the narrative' (Word Power Books, 2009), as well as audio and visual elements for his performance piece 'My name is Tom' (Good Elf Publications, 1978). There are also files of 'poster poems' in draft form and poems from across his career, arranged in preparation for recording.

The papers concerning literary history include material relating to his academic career, including his term as joint Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, a post he shared with Alasdair Gray and James Kelman. Research materials and notes concerning James Thomson would form the basis of his "Places of the mind: the life and work of James Thomson ('BV')" (Cape, 1993).

His collection of political research material reflects his lifelong interest in Palestine, and his wider interest in western military intervention in the Middle East. Many of his writings on this subject would form the basis of his 'Definite articles: selected prose 1973-2012' (Word Power Books, 2013).