Geoffrey Elton Collection

The collection is an impressive library of primary and secondary material which may be of interest to students of early modern history and British political history. 

Many of the books still include Elton's notes in the margins.

How to access the collection

A selection of materials including 120 books, off-prints and pamphlets on British constitutional history are held in Rare Books and may be consulted at the Borthwick Institute. The rest of the collection is kept on the open shelves on Burton Floor 1.

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About the collection

The collector

Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton (1921-1994) was born in Germany, as Gottfried Rudolf Ehrenberg, to a Jewish family. In 1939 the family fled to Britain where Gottfried continued his education.  

He took courses via correspondence at the University of London and graduated with a degree in Ancient History in 1943. Also in 1943 he enlisted in the army and served until 1946 - during this time he changed his name to Geoffrey Rudolph Elton. After his discharge from the army, Elton took British citizenship in 1947 and studied early modern history at University College London, graduating with a PhD in 1949. His thesis on Thomas Cromwell's administrative work first developed the ideas he would pursue for the rest of his academic career.

Elton taught at Clare College, Cambridge and his former pupils included the historians John Guy, Diarmaid MacCulloch, Susan Brigden, David Starkey, and York's Emeritus Professor Claire Cross. He worked as publication secretary of the British Academy and served as the president of the Royal Historical Society. Elton made significant contributions to debates concerning the philosophy of historical practice.

Acquisition

The collection was acquired from the Royal Historical Society in 1995 by the Borthwick Institute for Archives. In accordance with Elton's wishes, the collection is kept essentially distinct and open to all users of the University Library.

Significant publications

  • GR Elton, England under the Tudors (London, 1955)
  • GR Elton, The Practice of History (London, 1967)

Further information