Sarah Russell fonds
Finding Aid
Sarah Russell fonds. 1st accrual. – ca. 1952-1981. – 1.07 m textual records.
Series 1: School records. – ca. 1952-1979. – 0.72 m textual records.
Series 2: Diaries. – ca. 1955-1980. – 26 cm textual records.
Series 3: Correspondence. – ca. 1954-1981. – 10 cm textual records.
Series groupings and file arrangement were supplied by the processing archivist.
Series 1
School records. – ca. 1952-1979. – 0.72 m textual records.
Series consists predominantly of Sarah Russell’s school notebooks, particularly from her time at Moreton Hall, then an all-girls boarding school in North Shropshire near Oswestry.
Sarah’s primary school years were completed at Kingsmuir School, a boarding school in Sussex. In 1956, when Bertrand and Edith Russell moved themselves and John Russell’s children to Wales, Sarah began attending Moreton Hall (ca. 1956-1961). Later, Sarah attended Dartington Hall, a co-educational boarding school (ca. 1961-1963). In 1966, Sarah commenced a course of studies in English Language and Literature at the University of Reading. She appears to have taken a break in her studies in 1970, returning eventually in 1977. In 1979, Sarah was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in the second division of the second class.
Sarah’s notebooks are typically of a standard size (16.5 x 20.5 cm); most are dedicated to specific subjects. Staples have been removed from all notebooks due to rust. This series also contains Sarah’s Moreton Hall ephemera (newsletters and performance programs), loose notes, and exam preparatory materials (Oxford Local Examinations Board).
Files have been arranged in chronological order based on start date.
Box 1
F.1 [Primary school notebooks—various subjects—1 of 4]. – ca. 1952-1956. – 2 cm textual records.
F.2 [2 of 4]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.3 [3 of 4]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.4 [4 of 4]. – 1 cm textual records.
F.5 [Primary school notebooks—Easter 1953—various subjects—1 of 2]. – 1953. – 2 cm textual records.
F.6 [2 of 2]. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.7 [Primary school notebooks—Summer 1953—various subjects—1 of 2]. – 1953. – 2 cm textual records.
F.8 [2 of 2]. – 1 cm textual records.
Box 2
F.1 [Moreton Hall, Transitional form notebooks—various subjects—1 of 2]. – ca. 1956-1957. – 2 cm textual records.
F.2 [2 of 2]. – 1 cm textual records.
F.3 [Moreton Hall, Lower Fourth form notebooks—various subjects—1 of 3]. – ca. 1957-1958. – 2 cm textual records.
F.4 [2 of 3]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.5 [3 of 3]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.6 [Moreton Hall, Upper Fourth form notebooks—various subjects—1 of 3]. – ca. 1958-1959. – 2 cm textual records.
F.7 [2 of 3]. – 2 cm textual records.
Box 3
F.1 [3 of 3]. – 1 cm textual records.
F.2 [Moreton Hall, Lower Fifth form notebooks—various subjects—1 of 2]. – ca. 1959-1960. – 2 cm textual records.
F.3 [2 of 2]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.4 [Moreton Hall, Upper Fifth form notebooks—various subjects—1 of 2]. – ca. 1960-1961. – 2 cm textual records.
F.5 [2 of 2]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.6 [Moreton Hall, Middle Sixth form (?) notebooks—various subjects—1 of 2]. – ca. 1962-1963. – 2 cm textual records.
F.7 [2 of 2]. – 2 cm textual records.
Box 4
F.1 [Moreton Hall, Upper Sixth form notebooks—various subjects—1 of 2]. – ca. 1963-1964. – 2 cm textual records.
F.2 [2 of 2]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.3 [Moreton Hall, loose rough books—1 of 3]. – ca. 1957-1964. – 1 cm textual records.
F.4 [2 of 3]. – 1 cm textual records.
F.5 [3 of 3]. – 1 cm textual records.
F.6 [The Moretonian newsletter, nos. 23 and 24]. – 1957-1958; 1958-1959. – 1 cm textual records.
F.7 [The Moretonian newsletter, nos. 25 and 26]. – 1959-1960; 1960-1961. – 1 cm textual records.
F.8 [The Moretonian newsletter, nos. 27 and 28]. – 1961-1962; 1962-1963. – 1.5 cm textual records.
Box 5
F.1 [The Moretonian newsletter, nos. 29 and 30]. – 1963-1964; 1964-1965. – 1.5 cm textual records.
F.2 [Various certificates of completion—“Well Tried” Prize for Kingsmuir School essay competition, 1955; Pianoforte exam certificates for Grades 1 and 2, 1958; “Good Deportment” award, Moreton Hall, 1958; English Speaking Board exam certificates, 1961, 1962]. – 1955-1962. – 1 cm textual records.
F.3 [Worksheet listing inflectional endings—Spanish]. – ca. 1956-1961. – 1 p. textual records.
F.4 [Programs for non-school events; tourist pamphlets for USSR]. – ca. 1957-1964. – 2 cm textual records.
F.5 [Pupil’s registers for musical practice]. – ca. 1958-1961. – 1 cm textual records.
F.6 [Revision notes and exam questions—Moreton Hall]. – ca. 1958-1962. – 2 cm textual records.
F.7 [Moreton Hall event and service programs]. – ca. 1958-1964. – 2 cm textual records.
F.8 [Moreton Hall event and service programs; play scripts]. – ca. 1958-1964. – 2 cm textual records.
Box 6
F.1 [Copy of “My Sunday Missal—n.d.]. – ca. 1960-1964. – 2 cm textual records.
F.2 [Pocket New Testament inscribed by Lucy Russell]. – March 1961. – 2 cm textual records.
F.3 [Revision notes and exam questions—Moreton Hall]. – ca. 1961-1963. – 2 cm textual records.
F.4 [Revision notes and exam questions, Moreton Hall; Revision notes and exam booklets for university entrance exams]. – ca. 1961-1964. – 2 cm textual records.
F.5 [Undergraduate certificate from University of Reading—Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature, Second Division of Second Class; related ephemera and envelope]. – 7 July 1979. – 0.25 cm textual records.
Series 2
Diaries. – ca. 1955-1980. – 26 cm textual records.
Series comprises diaries created by Sarah Russell. Three terms are used throughout to refer to Sarah’s diaries: “diaries”; “pocket diaries”; and “miniature pocket diaries”. “Diaries” are volumes or sheets of loose paper larger than 8 x 12 cm; “pocket diaries” are volumes measuring 8 x 12 cm; and “miniature pocket diaries” measure 7 x 10 cm or smaller. Sarah tended to use her pocket and miniature pocket diaries to record activities or events. Some of Sarah’s diaries are on looseleaf paper; diaries on looseleaf are noted.
Diaries are arranged in chronological order by start date.
Box 6 [cont.]
F.6 [Miniature pocket diary]. – ca. 1955-1956. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.7 [Miniature pocket diary]. – 1955-1956. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.8 [Pocket diary]. – 1956. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.9 [Five-year diary]. – 1959-1962. – 2 cm textual records.
Box 7
F.1 [Five-year diary]. – 1959-1963. – 2 cm textual records.
F.2 [Diary]. – 14 February 1962-1 December 1963. – 2 cm textual records.
F.3 [Diary (loose pages)—1 of 2]. – January-December 1965. – 2 cm textual records.
F.4 [2 of 2]. – 2 cm textual records.
F.5 [Diary]. – January-March, ca. 1965-1970. – 2 cm textual records.
F.6 [Diary]. – March-June 1970. – 1 cm textual records.
Box 8
F.1 [Miniature pocket diary]. – 1974. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.2 [Miniature pocket diary]. – 1976. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.3 [Diary (loose pages)]. – 23 June 1976-30 January 1977; 17 August 1977-12 November 1978. – 2 cm textual records.
F.4 [Miniature pocket diary]. – 1977. – 0.25 cm textual records.
F.5 [Diary]. – 1 February-16 August 1977. – 1.5 cm textual records.
F.6 [Diary]. – 17 November 1978-18 October 1979. – 1 cm textual records.
F.7 [Miniature pocket diary (Collins Needlewoman diary)]. – 1979. – 1 cm textual records.
F.8 [Pocket diary]. – 1980. – 1 cm textual records.
Series 3
Correspondence. – ca. 1954-1981. – 10 cm textual records.
Series comprises letters sent and received by Sarah Russell. Sarah’s most frequent correspondents included Edith Russell (usually signing letters on behalf of Bertrand Russell), grandmother Dora Russell (née Black), and various friends. Several letters relate to Sarah’s sale of a gold intaglio ring via a Christie’s auction in 1980, as well as her account with Lloyds Bank.
Letters have been grouped by the processing archivist into files. All files, and letters within files, are arranged in chronological order. Undated letters and some items of ephemera are included at the end of the series.
Box 8 [cont.]
F.9 [Cards from Bertrand and Edith Russell]. – ca. 1954-1966. – 5 cards.
Birthday card. – n.d.
Greeting card. – n.d.
Christmas card (dove shape). – n.d.
Postcard from Aberdaron. – 10 August (?) 1954.
Birthday telegram. – 16 January 1966.
F.10 [Letters sent, 1963]. – 1 letter.
To Janet V. Toadson. – 7 September. – 10 pp. with envelope.
F.11 [Letters received, 1966]. – 1 letter.
From Aileen Sturdy [?]. – 2 pp. with envelope.
F.12 [Letters received, 1978]. – 1 card.
From Katharine Tait. – 1 card with envelope.
F.13 [Letters received, 1979]. – 11 letters; 2 cards.
From R.W. Palmer. – 10 February. – 2 pp. with envelope.
Receipt listing Sarah’s goods for sale, Christie’s (South Kensington). – 9 October. – 4 pp. with envelope.
Receipt form listing Sarah’s goods for sale, Christie’s. – 5 November. – 2 pp.
From Amabel Williams-Ellis [?]. – 20 November – 1 p. with envelope.
From Coward Chance firm representative [Bunny?]. – 28 November. – 1 p. with envelope.
From Grandma [Dora Russell]. – 29 November – 1 p. with envelope.
From Grandma [Dora Russell]. – 4 December. – 1 p. with envelope.
From Daphne [?]. – 4 December. – 2 pp.
From Christie’s representative. – 7 December. – 1 p. with envelope.
From Geoffrey [?]. – 9 December. – 5 pp. with envelope.
From Daphne [?]. – 13 December. – 2 pp. with envelope.
From Siân Williams-Ellis and Seran [?]. – 19 December. – 1 card.
From Susan and Euan Williams-Ellis. – 20 [?] December. – 1 card with envelope.
Box 9
F.1 [Letters received, 1980]. – 6 letters.
Credit note from Lloyds Bank. – 18 January. – 1 p. with envelope.
Account statement from Lloyds Bank. – 19 February. – 1 p. with envelope.
From Coward Chance firm representative. – 29 February. – 1 p. with envelope.
Workshop schedule and information sheets from Kalptaru Rajneesh Meditation Centre (London). – 12 March. – 6 pp. with envelope.
From Freda [?]. – 1 p. with envelope.
Receipt of sale from Christie’s. – 19 March. – 4 pp.
F.2 [Letters received, 1981]. – 1 letters and card.
From Margaret and Michael [?]. – 14 December. – 1 card, letter, and envelope.
F.3 [Letters and cards received, undated]. – 3 cards; 1 letter.
From David Sturdy. – 27 June. – 1 postcard.
From Aileen Sturdy. – 21 August. – 2 pp. with envelope.
From Lucy Russell. – 1 postcard.
F.4 [Empty envelopes and ephemera, including draft of poem about schizophrenia (possibly in Lucy Russell’s handwriting]. – n.d. – 0.25 cm textual records.
