Record revealed
The Treaty of Versailles
This debated document officially ended the First World War and set out the terms and conditions for peace, and determined the course of the 20th century.
Interwar (1918–1939)
Explore British life between the two world wars. Our records tell the stories of both ordinary lives and the actions of radical changemakers pushing at the boundaries of society. From an LGBTQ+ icon to some of the trailblazing women and people of colour working for the first time in politics.
Stories from the collection
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Focus on
Emily Capper and the 1934 Gresford Colliery disaster
Our records tell the story of Emily Capper's desperate campaign to recover the bodies of the victims, including that of her son. -
The story of
Evelyn Dove
Singer and broadcaster Evelyn Dove (1902–1987) achieved a number of firsts including, in 1925, becoming the first woman of African heritage on BBC Radio. -
Record revealed
Police report on the disappearance of Agatha Christie
This letter details the circumstances of the strange disappearance of famous author Agatha Christie in 1926. -
Record revealed
Virginia Woolf’s death duty record
Death duty records can reveal a great deal about a person’s true feelings. What can we learn about the loves and friendships of author Virginia Woolf from hers? -
Focus on
A queer working-class haven: Lady Malcolm’s Servants Balls
Lady Malcolm’s elaborate Servants’ Balls allowed queer, working-class staff to forge a unique space for themselves. But these events became plagued by scandal. -
Record revealed
The WÃSÙ journal
WÃSÙ was the journal produced by the West African Students’ Union (WASU) and distributed across Europe and Africa from 1926. -
The story of
Sir Learie Constantine
Sir Learie Constantine (1901–1971) was a renowned cricketer, author, politician and persistent campaigner for racial equality and justice. -
Record revealed
Printed circular produced by the National League of the Blind
In 1920, hundreds of members of the National League of the Blind (NLB) marched 200 miles to campaign for support. This printed circular explains what happened. -
The story of
Ivor Cummings
Ivor Cummings (1913–1992) greeted the iconic arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury in 1948. He became known as the 'gay father of the Windrush generation'. -
The story of
Margaret Bondfield
Margaret Bondfield (1873–1953) was a trade unionist and Labour politician. In 1929 she became Britain’s first female cabinet minister. -
The story of
Nancy Cunard
On the Windrush passenger list, white socialite Nancy Cunard (1896–1965) is described as a 'writer', but she was also a staunch activist for Black civil rights. -
The story of
The Caravan Club
The police raid on a secret queer nightclub in 1933 gives an insight into the lives of gay men in interwar London and their defiance in the face of persecution. -
The story of
Shapurji Saklatvala
One of the first MPs of Indian heritage, Shapurji Saklatvala (1874–1936) was an agitator for change, which led to his surveillance by the Security Service. -
The story of
Radclyffe Hall
Radclyffe Hall (1880–1943) lived relatively openly as a lesbian in an era that condemned such relationships. Today she is an icon of LGBTQ+ literature.