Jennie Lee collection

Jennie Lee (1904-1988) was a Labour MP and the wife of Aneurin Bevan. She was instrumental in the foundation of the Open University during her time as Minister for the Arts, under the government of Harold Wilson, and subsequently bequeathed her personal papers to the Open University. 

Jennie Lee’s papers contain material regarding both her personal and political life, from her childhood until her death.

Much of the collection relates to her political career, including her time as Minister for the Arts and also her work as an MP. A smaller proportion of the papers relate to her personal life, including relationships with family and friends, her marriage to Aneurin Bevan, and details of her early years, such as her education and teaching career.

The collection also includes a large number of photographs, mostly of Jennie Lee, as well as a small number of Aneurin Bevan's own papers.

Finding Aid

The Jennie Lee Collection Catalogue.

Access

To access the Collection contact the University Archivist to arrange an appointment.

Related Material

Correspondence with Jennie Lee is held within the papers of C.P. Trevelyan at Newcastle University Library Special Collections .

Other collections that hold items relating to Jennie Lee can be found within the A2A (Access to Archives) database.