A catalogue of the material deposited by the Ruth First Memorial ...

57 Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London
117/2/1
Correspondence 1947-1976
Includes both personal and professional material.
(*PERMISSION FROM RUTH FIRST TRUST REQUIRED)
4 boxes
117/2/1/1* Friends and acquaintances 1947-1963 [bulk 1962-1963]
Includes copies of letters sent by First and replies. Mainly relating to
her research and the publishing of her books on Africa. Principal
correspondents include Ronald Segal, Mary Benson, 'Kozo' and
Dieter Pevsner of Penguin Books.
130 pages
approx.
117/2/1/2* Friends and acquaintances Feb 1964-Aug 1965
Mainly letters from friends and acquaintances covering subjects
such as the Rivonia trial and First's exile to Britain. Correspondents
include Govan Mbeki, Molly Bernstein and Julius Lewin. Also
included are items from First's daughters and some professional
material.
200 items
approx.
117/2/1/3* Friends and acquaintances [1964-1973]
Correspondents include Bram Fischer, Mac Maharaj, Danny
Schechter, Julius Lewin, often signing himself John/Jay/J etc.,
'Virgilio', 'Dina', Berekete Selassie, Sean Gervasi, Barney Simon,
and 'the other Ruth'. First is sometimes referred to by pseudonyms
such as Rosalind Sloman and Sasha Findlay. Includes copies of
letters which were sent out by First herself. Many of the letters are
undated or have incomplete dates, and these have been placed at the
rear of the file.
280 items
approx.
117/2/1/4 Professional [1964-1974]
Much is correspondence between First and publishers concerning
books and articles. Also included is material relating to conferences
and meetings with academics. Includes copies of replies which were
sent out by First and receipts from publishers. A few items are
undated.
125 items
approx.
117/2/1/5* Family members [1968-1972]
Mainly letters to First from her daughters Shawn, Gillian and Robyn
during their time at university and living abroad. Some material is
addressed to First when she was in African countries such as Libya
and Ghana. Also includes handwritten material between First and
Joe Slovo. Around half of the letters are undated or have incomplete
dates, and these have been placed at the rear of the file.
60 items
approx.
117/2/1/6 Not involving First 1970-1976
Includes a copy of a letter from A.M.Kathrada to 'Navvie' (1974),
copies of two letters from Mac Maharaj (1974) and a letter from
Bram Fischer probably to Joe Slovo using the pseudonym Jonathan
(1974), all of the above being written from prison. Also includes a
letter to Julius Lewin probably from Joe Slovo, using the
pseudonym Jack (1970).
13 items
Archives and Special Collections – Ruth First Papers