Part I. Correspondence

The correspondence numbers 3767 letters of which 2013 are carbon copies of letters from Davies, and 1754 are originals to him. The bulk date from 1931. A few earlier items relate to the Bibliography of British History (1928). Planning for this book began in 1909, and these represent responses from early contributors. Davies acquired them in 1923 when he was nominated editor of the book. There are also a few letters dating from 1921-23 relating to tutorial students at Oxford. It is evident, however, that on leaving Chicago in 1930 Davies disposed of his correspondence except the above, and the letters from Firth.

For inclusion in the Library Catalogue of Manuscripts, the names of the historically important correspondents listed in Parts I and III of the Index-Outline Guide have been starred. The criteria used to distinguish these correspondents are: (1) for British persons, representation in the Dictionary of National Biography including supplements to 1985; and (2) for American persons, representation in the Dictionary of American Biography including supplements to 1965, together with such later persons as seem likely to be included in later supplements to that work. In short, general preeminence is the rule regardless of the significance of the correspondence in question.

In the list of correspondents, British titles are shown, even when conferred after the correspondence was written. Women's married names are shown even when married after the correspondence took place.

Letters are filed alphabetically by author; in the case of Davies's outgoing letters the order is alphabetical by addressee. Within each sub-group the order is chronological.