The papers of J.H.Hofmeyr, spanning the years 1891-950, with the preponderance between 1913 and 1948, consist of correspondence, diaries, documents, memoranda, speeches, college notes, drafts of published and unpublished writings, scrap-books, postcard albums and photographs.

They are an invaluable source of primary material for the historian researching the political history of South Africa between the two world wars and during the second world war. The correspondence consists mainly of letters to Hofmeyr, although there are some originals and copies of letters written by him, and it is primarily in English with a few in Afrikaans. His correspondents include such politicians as L.Botha, J.B.M.Hertzog, D.F.Malan, F.S.Malan and J.C.Smuts. There is much on the history of the formation of the United Party, its activities from 19341948 and the growth of the National Party.

Correspondent: P.E. Hubbell.

Subjects:

1913 Affairs of Students Christian Association.

1915 Comments on the 1st World War and news of fellow students at Oxford.

Correspondents: M. Bonham Carter, G.S. Corstophine, M.S. Hilley, A.D. Lindsay, D.C. Lusk, J.X. Merriman, J.L. van Eyssen.

Subjects:

The 1st World War and pacifism.

Appointment of Hofmeyr to the chair of classics at the South African School of Mines and Technology, later the University of the Witwatersrand.

Criticism by J.X. Merriman of Hofmeyr's essay History and control of national debts with special reference to their liquidation (Cape Town, 1918).

Comments on a lecture given by Hofmeyr in Pretoria on Kruger, Rhodes and 'Onze Jan'.

Includes draft of letter fron Hofmeyr to Asquith, regretting that Asquith is resigning as prime minister.

Correspondents: A.J.C. Abrahamse, E. Balogh, A.W. Blaxall, H. Clark, V. Coakes, Rev A.J. Cook, W.E. Dalrymple, Democratic League of South Africa, P. Duncan, S. Dyer, L. Egeland, K. Govinthu, A. Vine Hall, G.A. Heard, J.S. Holt, A.A. Hope, R. Kilpin, H. Lawrence, L.R. Mac-Leod, F.S. Malan, B.B. Mdledle, L.G. Murray, T. Naude, H. Podbielsky, B. Rama Ran, G. Saron, R.H.W. Shepherd, H.A.R. Wollenburg.

Subjects:

Congratulations on Hofmeyr's speech at his installation as Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand.

Question of Jewish refugees.

Hofmeyr's resignation from the United Party caucus because of his (and Blackwell's) attitude to the Asiatic Bill and thanks from the Indian community for defending them.

Ouestion of Hofmeyr leaving the United Party and forming a liberal party.

Outbreak of war and appointment of Hofmeyr as Minister of Finance.

Correspondents: Sir Raza. Ali, A. Bailey, E.H. Bazeley, H. Clark, W.H. Clark, L. Egeland, H.W. Fourie, K. Govinthu, J.A. Gray, G. Hartog, R.A. Hockly, F.C. Hollander, E.B. Jones, G. Carleton Jones, J.D. Rheinallt Jones, R.N. Kotze, G. Louw, E. Maggs, L. Maingard, C. Meeser, S.G. Millin, National Council of African Women, O. Pirow, C.S. Richards, Schlesinger, D.L. Smit, M.T. Soga, W.M. Visser, A.W. Wilkie, G.W. Xala.

Subjects:

Thanks from Black women for his interest in Blacks. Congratulations on Hofmeyr's budget speech.

Attempt to obtain the Nobel peace prize for General Smuts. Thanks for allocating extra funds for education for Blacks Congratulations on his radio speech.

Correspondents: P.C. Cilliers, F.R. Emery, Eugenie (Princess Radziwill of Greece), C.H.R. Horwood, G. Rood, J. van Reenen.

Subjects:

Congratulations on his radio talk "Why South Africa fights" Congratulations on his speech in the no-confidence debate in parliament.

Criticism of Hofmeyr's support of the Roman Catholic Church.

Establishment of civilian guard units under the control of Civilian Protection Services.

Correspondents: L. Blackwell, J. Conradie, P.E. Evans, C.J. Gardner, J.A. Gray, A. Hamilton, M. Hofmeyr, C.H.R. Horwood. J.D. Rheinallt Jones, L. Maingard, J. Martin, F.A.C. Millard, B. Solomon, R. Stuttaford, H. Tucker, J.E. Turvey.

Subjects:

Congratulations on a fair budget and a good speech.

Disappointment felt by Blackwell at being excluded from the cabinet.

J.D. Rheinallt Jones' decision not to stand again for the Senate, to allow more time for the S.A. Institute of Race Relations.

Hofmeyr's appointment as acting Prime Minister during Smuts' absence.

Resignation of R. Stuttaford.