Exploring the Archives

The Chamberlain family, and in particular Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914), were instrumental in the development of the University of Birmingham from its foundation in 1900.

The Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections holds personal and political papers of Joseph Chamberlain and also of his children and his third wife, all of which are a rich source of information for the study of their lives and careers.

The Chamberlains had a strong connection with the University of Birmingham. Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) had attended its predecessor, Mason Science College, in the 1880s and his sisters, Beatrice, Ida, Hilda, and Ethel, attended modern language classes there. Neville was also heavily involved in the development of the University after his father’s death.

KEYWORDS: Joseph Chamberlain, Birmingham, Archives, University of Birmingham, Books

Download the Full Article (PDF)