Series J - Correspondence

Jeffreys's correspondence was found in a number of separate sequences and parts of sequences, in individual folders, plastic bags and loose. Correspondence found together can include letters from family members, family friends, former students, scientific colleagues and fellow Girtonians. For ease of reference these various groups of correspondence and individual letters have been consolidated into series of correspondence arranged alphabetically and a chronological sequence. In addition there is a series of postcards which Jeffreys kept separate, and references and recommendations, again kept separately. Subjects vary widely, from family and personal news, topics in the history of science and information about individual scientists, to detailed mathematical questions. Some of the correspondence is to both Sir Harold and Lady Jeffreys (initiated before Sir Harold's death in 1989) and occasionally exchanges are begun with Sir Harold alone and then continued by Lady Jeffreys. The great bulk of the correspondence is incoming. Jeffreys's outgoing correspondence is sparsely represented by rough manuscript drafts or occasionally a typescript carbon copy. A discrete sequence of correspondence with Girtonians has been retained in section B.