Personal and political papers of Eustace George Willis, Labour MP and Minister of State for Scotland, with some photographs and memorabilia.
Scope and Contents
Personal and political papers, memorabilia and photographs, 1911–1976, of Labour politician Eustace George Willis (1903–1987). Willis was educated at the City of Norwich Secondary School. He served in the Royal Navy from 1919 until 1930. He was a bookseller and lecturer for the National Council of Labour Colleges from 1932 until 1964.
Willis was elected as Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North in the 1945 General Election but was defeated in 1950. He contested again Edinburgh North at the 1951 General Election but was unsuccessful. He was returned to the House of Commons as MP for Edinburgh East in a 1954 by-election and served until his retirement in 1970. Willis was Minister of State for Scotland from October 1964 until January 1967, and Chairman of the Scottish Labour Party from 1954 until 1955.
The personal papers (1911–1953) mostly relate to his school education and his service in the Royal Navy. There are also some family letters, mostly from his wife. The political correspondence (1936–1976) reflects his nomination as Labour parliamentary candidate for various Scottish constituencies and his connections with fellow Labour politicians such as Emrys Hughes, George Mathers and Ernest Bevin. The collection also includes some interesting photographs and memorabilia.
Dates
- Creation: 1911-1976.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Extent
0.24 Linear metres (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The papers have been arranged into the following series:
Personal papers
Political papers and correspondence
Literary papers
Photographs
Memorabilia
Miscellaneous papers and printed items
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The papers are mostly in good condition.
Other Finding Aids
Online inventory available.
Custodial History
The papers were previously stored in a skip at the Harmeny School, Balerno.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 2010, the Harmeny School, Balerno.6 October 2010
Appraisal
All material has been retained.
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk