Janus: Minutes of meetings of the Cambridge University Socialist Society and its precursor, Cambridge University Fabian Society, signed

University contains:
<-- See earlier
SOC.58.1	Audience book of the Cambridge University Nutrition Society
SOC.59.1	Minutes of the meetings of Cambridge University Riding Club, occasionally signed
SOC.60.1	Minutes of meetings of the Cambridge Scandinavian Society, signed
SOC.61.1	Executive secretary's papers for the Cambridge University Social Services Organisation
SOC.62	Records of the Cambridge University Agricultural Society
SOC.63.1	Score Book of the Cam Archery Club
SOC.64	Records of the Cambridge University Bowmen
SOC.65	Minutes of meetings of the Chit-Chat Club, occasionally signed
SOC.66	Records of the Cambridge University Church Missionary Union
SOC.67	Minutes of meetings of the Confraternity of the Holy Trinity, signed
SOC.68	Records of Cymdeithas Y Mabinogi (Cambridge University Welsh Society)
See later -->

Minutes of meetings of the Cambridge University Socialist Society and its precursor, Cambridge University Fabian Society, signed

Title	Minutes of meetings of the Cambridge University Socialist Society and its precursor, Cambridge University Fabian Society, signed
Reference	GBR/0265/SOC.47 (former reference: Ms.Add.7451-5 B)
Creator	Cambridge University Socialist Society
Covering Dates	1911–1958 (1911-25, 1956-58)
Extent and Medium	6 volumes; paper
Repository	Cambridge University Archives

Content and context

The society began life in 1905 as the Cambridge University Fabian Society but restyled itself the Cambridge University Socialist Society on 9 June 1915. It existed to assist in attaining the socialist objective of ''complete political and industrial democracy... [and] supersession of the capitalist system''. On 11 March 1920 it was incorporated into the new Cambridge University Labour Club, within which it continued to function as a study circle. Volume SOC.47.1.3 is of a rather later date than the other five volumes and uses the name Socialist Club rather than Socialist Society. It is not apparent whether this represents a change of name or the creation of a new club. Rupert Chawner Brooke (King's College) was a member as an undergraduate.

The records that survive are all minute books with a few items such as publicity leaflets enclosed.

The records were transferred to the University Archives from the Manuscripts Department on 3 October 2007.

Items SOC.47.1.1-2 and 2.1-3 had been deposited by Cambridge University Labour Club with the Manuscripts Department on 8 July 1954 and had been given the classmark Ms.Add.7451-5. They had previously been in the possession of George Darling, MP.

Item SOC.47.1.3 had been deposited with the Archives Department on September 1999 by Philippa Bassett, Archivist, Birmingham University Library. It had been found among the books bequeathed to Birmingham University Library by Alan F. Stanway, a former student at Cambridge University. It was accessioned as 2000/016 and given the classmark Ms.Add.7455 B.

Access and Use

Please cite as Cambridge University Archives, Minutes of meetings of the Cambridge University Socialist Society and its precursor, Cambridge University Fabian Society, signed, SOC.47

Further information

See also items originating from the Cambridge Fabian Club at SOC.44, the Cambridge University Labour Club at SOC.101 and the Cambridge University Constituency Labour Party at Ms.Add.8881. Additionally there are printed records in the Rare Books Department, Cambridge University Library (classmark: Cambridge Papers J 7976 and Cambridge Papers 2nd series, Societies 26).

Indexed

The online catalogue entry for Janus was completed in October 2007 and emended in November 2007.

Index Terms

Political Pressure Groups

Politics and Government

Social Systems

Cambridge University Socialist Society

University/SOC.47 contains:

SOC.47.1

Minutes of meetings of the club's committees.
3 volumes; paper.

1911–1958

SOC.47.2

Minutes of business meetings.
3 volumes; paper.

1913–1925