Access

At the discretion of the Archivist. Strictly by application only, with two references taken up beforehand. Written inquiries welcome. A general 30-year closure rule is in operation and certain categories of documents are closed for longer periods. Photocopying fees are charged.

Background to the archive

The News International Archive and Record Office is the largest newspaper publishing archive in the United Kingdom. It represents a unique resource in which documentary evidence of newspaper history and the evolution of the profession of journalism is systematically collected, conserved, catalogued and made available for research.

The department's holdings are based on the archive of The Times and its supplements, principally The Times Literary Supplement. However the holdings have evolved with the company and the archive now holds records related to all its other current titles (The Sunday Times, News of the World and The Sun) and associated past publications and publishing companies.

The status of The Times as a newspaper of record created a fertile environment for the creation of an archive. Awareness of the need to maintain documentary evidence of the newspaper's history dates from the 19th century, but it was not until the 1930s that relevant material was brought together for the publication of the early volumes of the official history of the paper. The Times thus became one of the first businesses in the United Kingdom to recognise the importance of its own archive.

Scope

The archives of The Times are wide ranging and contain records of every aspect of news gathering and newspaper publishing. Among its collections is correspondence from most of the major political figures of the last 150 years, as well as from many literary and church figures and from senior military personnel. The breadth and content of the material reflects the central role of The Times in British life and its standing abroad during this period. The archive is consulted by a wide range of researchers studying political, social, literary and economic topics as well as researching individual members of staff or contributors.

Description of holdings

Major collections:

Please note that the back files of the newspapers and the cuttings collections are the responsibility of the company's Reference Library, which is not a public library.

Acquisition policy

The department continues to build on the achievements of the past and to expand its collections based upon clear archival principles. The collections are sustained and expanded by:

Once accepted for the archive, material is listed and where necessary becomes part of an extensive conservation programme. The state-of-the-art storage and research facilities will ensure that records are stored in the correct environment to guarantee their long-term survival.