Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1902-1950 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
Form of materialLetters
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Jan Christiaan Smuts, 1870-1950
Born on the farm Bovenplaats outside Riebeek West, Cape Colony, on 24 May 1870, his education took place at Victoria College, Stellenbosch, and Cambridge, where he read for the bar. He served with distinction in the South African War, 1899-1902, and in the first World War during the East African campaign. Smuts had a distinguished career in politics, being Prime Minister twice. During the second World War he played an important part and helped to draft the covenant for the United Nations.
For a full biography see the Dictionary of South African Biography Volume 1, edited by W. J. de Kock
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The photo copies were deposited at Historical Papers in 1981 by Mrs J.A. Kalley, Jan Smuts House Library.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Correspondence Relating to the Personal Library of General J.C. Smuts 1902-1950.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The inventory with the listing of 530 letters, was first published as part of the SA Institute of International Affairs as part of their “Bibliographical Series” on behalf of the Smuts Memorial Trust. Compiled by Jacqueline A. Kalley, Elna Schoeman and Joy Willers. Introduction by Noel G. Carson
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Some copies of the listed 530 letters are missing in this collection, and have been marked accordingly in the inventory.
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The Jan Smuts letters were originally located in the Jan Smuts House, University of the Witwatersrand, most probably as part of the collection from the private study of the former statesman that was preserved in the library of Jan Smuts House.
The Jan Smuts letters are now part of the holdings of the National Archive of South Africa.
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Alternate title: Smuts, Jan Christiaan
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
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Status
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Dates of creation revision deletion
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Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Jacqueline A. Kalley, Elna Schoeman and Joy Willers
Introduction by Noel G. Carson