Catalogue Browser
The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill
The Churchill Archive comprises material in almost 2500 boxes, consisting of a variety of formats including paper, photographs and artefacts.
The catalogue was written by, and is maintained by, the Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College, Cambridge. It divides the Archive into two groups, or 'series'. The papers dating from before 27 July 1945, when Churchill's first term as Prime Minister ended, are known as the Chartwell Papers (catalogue reference CHAR) and were originally owned by the Chartwell Trust. The papers dating from after 27 July 1945 (catalogue reference CHUR) are known as the Churchill Papers and were given to Churchill College by Lady Churchill in 1969.
Within these two series the catalogue offers more detailed classifications relating to the type of material, and in many (though not all) cases describes individual documents.
Personal (CHAR 1 and CHUR 1), 1884-1965
The papers of Churchill as a private person. They include correspondence with or about his family and friends on non-public topics and papers relating to Churchill's personal, financial and legal affairs and his social life.
| CHAR 1 | Personal | 1884 - 1945 | select this |
| CHUR 1 | Personal | 1945 - 1965 | select this |
Public and Political: general (CHAR 2 and CHUR 2), 1898-1964
The papers relating to Churchill's activities as a person in public life other than his work as MP for a particular constituency or as a Minister. The content of these classes is very diverse and includes notes and correspondence with colleagues, acquaintances and the general public on topics of contemporary general interest, on party political matters, and on appointments to various positions. These classes also include papers relating to governmental business with which Churchill was not involved as a Minister or a member of the Cabinet.
| CHAR 2 | Public and Political: general | 1898 - 1945 | select this |
| CHUR 2 | Public and Political: general | 1945 - 1965 | select this |
Constituency (CHAR 3-CHAR 7, and CHUR 3), 1900-1964
These classes cover each of the constituencies represented by Churchill (Oldham, North-West Manchester, Dundee, Epping and Woodford). Each class contains correspondence and papers relating to local affairs generally, elections, meetings and speeches. There is correspondence with constituents on general political topics and about Churchill's actions on behalf of local interests.
| CHAR 3 | Political: Constituency | 1900 - 1905 | select this |
| CHAR 4 | Political: Constituency | 1904 - 1908 | select this |
| CHAR 5 | Political: Constituency | 1908 - 1922 | select this |
| CHAR 6 | Political: Constituency | 1923 - 1924 | select this |
| CHAR 7 | Political: Constituency | 1924 - 1945 | select this |
| CHUR 3 | Political: Constituency | 1943 - 1965 | select this |
Literary (CHAR 8 and CHUR 4), 1890-1965
These classes contain correspondence with publishers, editors and printers, and other correspondence in connection with Churchill's huge output of literary and journalistic work both during and after publication. The classes also contain material assembled for writing, notes and drafts, printer's copy, proofs and reviews.
| CHAR 8 | Literary | 1890 - 1945 | select this |
| CHUR 4 | Literary | 1924 - 1965 | select this |
Speeches (CHAR 9 and CHUR 5), 1897-1965
The papers in these classes are arranged (as far as possible) by particular speeches and include notes, drafts, speaking notes, press releases, press cuttings, extracts from Hansard (the parliamentary record of debates in the House of Commons) and printed material.
| CHAR 9 | Speeches | 1897 - 1945 | select this |
| CHUR 5 | Speeches | 1942 - 1960 | select this |
Official (CHAR 10-27, CHUR 6), 1902-1955
There is one class for each office held by Churchill. The departmental classes contain the correspondence, memoranda, prints, and other papers arising out of Churchill's activities as a Minister responsible for particular departments and include correspondence with colleagues, officials, acquaintances, and the general public.
| CHAR 10 | Official | 1902 - 1908 | select this |
| CHAR 11 | Official | 1906 - 1911 | select this |
| CHAR 12 | Official | 1910 - 1911 | select this |
| CHAR 13 | Official | 1911 - 1915 | select this |
| CHAR 14 | Official | 1915 | select this |
| CHAR 15 | Official | 1917 - 1919 | select this |
| CHAR 16 | Official | 1918 - 1921 | select this |
| CHAR 17 | Official | 1920 - 1922 | select this |
| CHAR 18 | Official | 1924 - 1929 | select this |
| CHAR 19 | Official | 1939 - 1940 | select this |
| CHAR 20 | Official | 1940 - 1945 | select this |
| CHAR 21 | Official | 1908 - 1915 | select this |
| CHAR 22 | Official | 1920 - 1929 | select this |
| CHAR 23 | Official | 1939 - 1945 | select this |
| CHAR 24 | Official | 1909 - 1914 | select this |
| CHAR 25 | Official | 1920 - 1939 | select this |
| CHAR 26 | Official | 1914-1915 | select this |
| CHAR 27 | Official | 1917 - 1919 | select this |
| CHUR 6 | Official | 1951 - 1955 | select this |
Other (CHAR 28-30), 1690-1960
Papers acquired at various times by inheritance or gift; miscellaneous papers; obsolete lists
| CHAR 28 | Other | 1690 - 1960 | select this |
| CHAR 29 | Other | 1906 - 1924 | select this |
| CHAR 30 | Other | 1921 - 1952 | select this |