Diary and correspondence of Helen Fraser.
Scope and Contents
Helen Fraser was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, the third of ten children of Scottish parents, and grew up in Glasgow. After hearing a speech by Teresa Billington-Greig in 1906, Fraser became a devoted campaigner and organiser for women's suffrage. During the First World War she was recruited to work for the government, and in 1917-18 was sent on propaganda tours of the United States and France to promote greater understanding of the British war effort and of women in public life. She stood unsuccessfully as a National Liberal candidate in Glasgow Govan, 1922; Lanark, 1923; and Hamilton, 1924. She married in 1938 and emigrated to Australia, where she continued to lecture on feminist subjects.
The papers comprise a personal diary, 1904-1914, of Helen Fraser; a notebook containing handwritten transcriptions of family letters, 1915, to Helen Fraser; correspondence, 1911-1956, relating to journalism; handwritten notes for a speech, 1922; diary notes, 1932, on a tour of the United States; and miscellaneous family papers and photographs.
Dates
- Creation: 1904-1961.
Creator
- Fraser, Helen Miller (afterwards Moyes, women's activist and parliamentary candidate) (1881-1979.) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
6 Folders
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
On receipt in the National Library of Scotland the papers comprised an envelope, containing loose material, and two volumes. The diary notes of Fraser's USA tour of 1932 were loosely inserted within the front cover of her letterbook but are now placed separately.
Custodial History
The papers were obtained from a recycling centre in Ulladulla, Australia, by a friend of the donor. They were found bundled together in a box along with other materials, such as airplane and train tickets, which were not retained.
Bibliography
- 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