Cromwell Collection - Huntingdon Library, Record Office and the Cromwell Museum

The Cromwell Collection - Huntingdon

Introduction:

The Cromwell Collection is a comprehensive collection of materials on 'our chief of men', Oliver Cromwell and his times. This is one of the most significant periods of British history, studied at all levels. The Collection is located in Cromwell's birthplace, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Oliver Cromwell has long been a controversial character, but his importance as a key figure in British history has never been in doubt. He, and his son, Richard, remain to this day the only commoners ever to have ruled in Britain. Cromwell was born in Huntingdon in 1599 and lived there for more than half his life. He later lived nearby at St Ives and Ely. Huntingdon is also home to the Cromwell Museum, the only museum dedicated solely to the memory of the Lord Protector. The creation of the Cromwell Collection, a partnership between the Cambridgeshire Library Service, Archives Service, the Cromwell Museum and the Cromwell Association will make Huntingdon a centre of excellence for Cromwellian studies.

The Cromwell Collection in Huntingdon was created in 2002 with the help of a grant from the Wolfson British History Programme. The existing library collection was augmented with a substantial amount of new material and amalgamated with the library of the Cromwell Association. The resulting collection, together with the resources of the Cromwell Museum and the County Record Office in Huntingdon, provides one of the most comprehensive collections of material on Oliver Cromwell and his times outside academic circles. The Collection is freely available to all regardless of their educational status. It is hoped that the material will be used by students of all ages who are studying this fascinating period of British history.

The catalogue of the Collection includes details of original documents as well as books from the library and museum collections and the Cromwelll Association library. Oliver Cromwell is one of the most written about characters in history. The Collection includes biographies of Cromwell by 50 different authors, as well as a wealth of material on the English Civil War in general. The Collection includes items for loan as well as reference and study material, and is designed to cater for all ages.