This is one of two grouped corpora of materials in Box 283. This collection comprises around 170 handwritten letters, postcards, personal notes, draft documents as well as more formally typed correspondence and copy letters. The authorities that are represented include, but are not limited to, Thomas Ashby, Eugénie Strong, Edgar Forsdyke. The materials are divided with a filing system composed of various alphabetically denoted sheets, within which we find three main sections between letters A-B (c. 35 docs), G-HI (c. 110 docs.), and M-NO (c.20 docs.). Each section is arranged chronologically, however, the correspondence between the designated alphabetical range and the actual contents is not always consistent. Instead, we can describe the three sections by their various themes and contents.

First, the A-B section, mainly focusses on the payments of subscriptions to the School as well as receipts of book payments and deliveries. The material is mostly in English, however, there are a few instances in Italian and French. There seems to have been a concerted effort towards a financial audit in 1921-22.

Second, the largest section, G-HI, comprises a very broad range of materials. In general, there is much correspondence asking advice of the BSR’s staff, mainly Ashby and Strong, regarding details about visiting Italy and staying in Rome, often requesting guided tours, accommodation at the School or the latest news on special permissions to archaeological sites. Other items of note include: letters concerning the acquisition of photographs and slides; an interesting case of a plaster cast of an ancient inscription at the School; interactions with the Vatican; updates on the Library rules and student engagement; and the packed lecture series of Ashby and Strong in the 1921-22 session, complete with full programmes and lists of students in Rome. The material is mostly in English but there are instances of Italian, French and German.

Third, the smallest section, M-NO, contains a set of correspondence that outlines the organisation of a visit by a group of international teachers to Rome. The ‘League of Empire’ reached out to Strong to supervise a touring holiday of Rome for around 70 teachers during April (and Easter) 1922. In the materials you will find the information regarding the practicalities of organising such a trip and also a full, four-day programme with Strong’s draft notes towards the end.