IAS Book Launch: Pioneering Women Archivists

ABOUT THE BOOK
Pioneering Women Archivists tells the story of four remarkable women who laid the foundations of English local archives in the early twentieth century: Ethel Stokes, Lilian Redstone, Catherine Jamison and Joan Wake. The book analyses their professional historical work, alongside their educational, social and family contexts, to reveal their place in the history of the archival profession.

Although this book focuses on the history of archives in early twentieth century England and on the contribution of women, it will also be of interest to anyone interested in the history of archives internationally. The book makes a new contribution to the growing literature about the role of women in the development of modern professions, such as medicine, nursing and psychoanalysis, and of disciplines including history, philosophy, literary and musical composition. It brings out the hidden voices of women in archival history which has previously been the history of great men, institutional archives, government commissions and reports and professional infrastructure. It also tells the story of women’s struggle for independence and education, of the ways in which women established independent cultural, social and family networks and shows how these women used their scholarly skills to earn a living.

Pioneering Women Archivists in Early 20th Century England was published by Routledge in June 2025. 

ABOUT THE EVENT
Elizabeth Shepherd (Professor Emerita, UCL Department of Information Studies) will speak about her research into women in archives and present the main themes of the book; Lucy Brownson (Lecturer in Archives and Records Management, UCL Department of Information Studies) will speak about her research into women, archival practices, and knowledge work at Chatsworth. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and questions involving Elizabeth and Lucy, chaired by Mari Takayanagi (historian, archivist and author).