John Pitcairn Mackintosh (1929-1978) was a political scientist, professor of Politics at Edinburgh University and a Labour MP for Berwick and East Lothian (1966-1974, 1974-1978). He was pro-Europeist and pro-devolutionist and campaigned in favour of a yes vote during the 1979 Referendum on a Scottish Aseembly.

The material consists of the personal and academic papers detailing Mackintosh’s political and academic career. The papers document his many academic ventures including his time as an undergraduate at Edinburgh University as well as notes detailing his academic career (1960-1978) including lecture notes from his time at Ibadan, Strathclyde and Edinburgh University. The papers also document his varied political career (1956-1978) including constituency files and papers regarding his work in the House of Commons. A section of the material also covers his literary career detailing his research and correspondence regarding his publications. As Mackintosh was a dedicated constituency MP the material also includes a large amount of correspondence from his constituency members as well as the local authorities.