Idris Cox Papers, (GB 0210 IDRCOX)

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales

Cymorth chwilio | Finding Aid - Idris Cox Papers, (GB 0210 IDRCOX)

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www.llgc.org.uk Idris Cox Papers,

Tabl cynnwys | Table of contents

Gwybodaeth grynodeb | Summary information ...... 3 Hanes gweinyddol / Braslun bywgraffyddol | Administrative history | Biographical sketch ...... 3 Natur a chynnwys | Scope and content ...... 4 Trefniant | Arrangement ...... 4 Nodiadau | Notes ...... 4 Pwyntiau mynediad | Access points ...... 5 Disgrifiad cyfres | Series descriptions ...... 5 1. vtls005288064 ISYSARCHB59, Autobiography,, [pre 1989]...... 5 2-14. vtls005288066 ISYSARCHB59, Correspondence,, 1960-1985...... 5 15-34. vtls005288071 ISYSARCHB59, Lectures, Speech Notes, and Political Writings,, [1930]- [1989]...... 6 34-83. vtls005288086 ISYSARCHB59, Miscellaneous,, [?1937]-[pre 1989]...... 7

- Tudalen | Page 2 - GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers,

Gwybodaeth grynodeb | Summary information

Lleoliad | Repository: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Teitl | Title: Idris Cox Papers, ID: GB 0210 IDRCOX Virtua system control vtls003844689 number [alternative]: Project identifier ANW [alternative]: Dyddiad | Date: 1934-1985 / (dyddiad creu | date of creation) Disgrifiad ffisegol | 0.018 cubic metres (2 boxes) Physical description: Lleoliad ffisegol | ARCH/MSS (GB0210) Physical location: Dyddiadau creu, golygu a dileu | Dates of creation, revision and deletion: Nodyn | Note Title supplied from contents of fonds [generalNote]:

Hanes gweinyddol / Braslun bywgraffyddol | Administrative history | Biographical sketch

Nodyn | Note Idris Cox (1899-1989), Communist and Labour party activist, worked as a coal miner until 1927, when he became a full-time organiser for the South Wales District of the Communist Party of Great Britain. He organised hunger marches in Monmouthshire and Glamorgan in 1930. Cox was active within the party, writing on policy and tactics, and became the editor of the Daily Worker for a time, but returned to South Wales in the late 1930s, helping to develop a North Wales District and establishing an All-Wales Congress. He wrote the pamphlet 'The people can save South Wales' in 1937. He assisted the party's General Secretary, Harry Pollitt (1890-1960), in standing for the seat of Rhondda East in the 1945 general election. The Party was disappointed by its performance in the 1945 and 1949 elections, and in 1951 Cox was removed from his role as Welsh organizer to take up a post in the Party's International Department, for which he moved to London. This may have been partly a response to Cox's outspoken support for Welsh devolution, reflected in his membership of the cross-party "Parliament for Wales" committee from

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 3 GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers, 1950. Cox later returned to Wales, remaining active as a commentator and writer on politics. He died in 1989.

Natur a chynnwys | Scope and content

Papers of Idris Cox, 1934-1985, comprising draft autobiography (unpublished), 'From Coal Mines to Communist Ideals', and photocopy of a more complete version held by Univeristy of Wales, Swansea; correspondence, 1960-1983; pamphlets, lectures and broadcasts by Cox, 1936-1984; Communist Party pamphlets, 1930-1963; and miscellaneous, 1934--1985.

Nodiadau | Notes

Nodiadau teitl | Title notes

Ffynhonnell | Immediate source of acquisition Donated by Dora Cox, Pontypool, in 1990.

Trefniant | Arrangement Arranged into the following: autobiography; correspondence; lectures; speech notes; political writings; and miscellaneous.

Cyfyngiadau ar fynediad | Restrictions on access Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

Amodau rheoli defnydd | Conditions governing use Usual copyright regulations apply.

Rhestrau cymorth | Finding aids A hard copy of the catalogue is available in Minor Lists and Summaries 1991, pp. 17-20, at the National Library of Wales.

Disgrifiadau deunydd | Related material Further materials, including a fuller copy of the autobiography and a recorded interview with Idris Cox, are held by the Univeristy of Wales Swansea.

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 4 GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers, Ychwanegiadau | Accruals Accruals are not expected.

Nodiadau eraill | Other notes • Statws cyhoeddiad | Publication status: Published • Dynodwr sefydliad | Institution identifier: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales

Pwyntiau mynediad | Access points

• Communist Party of Great Britain. • Communist Party of Great Britain. Wales District. • Communist Party of Great Britain. South Wales District. • Cox, Idris -- Archives. (pwnc) | (subject) • Communism -- Wales. (pwnc) | (subject) • Political campaigns -- Wales. (pwnc) | (subject) • Politicians -- Wales -- Biography. (pwnc) | (subject)

Disgrifiad cyfres | Series descriptions

Ffeil / rhestr eitemau | File / item list Cod cyfeirnod | Ref Teitl | Title Dyddiadau | Statws mynediad | Cynhwysydd | code Dates Access status Container 1. vtls005288065 File - 'From Coal Mines to Communist [pre 1989]. 1. ISYSARCHB59 Ideals': unpublished autobiography of Idris Cox (pp. 21-40 and pp. 131-196 missing). Also included is ..., Cyfres | Series 2-14. vtls005288066 ISYSARCHB59: Correspondence, Dyddiad | Date: 1960-1985. (dyddiad creu) | (date of creation) Lleoliad ffisegol | Physical location: ARCH/MSS (GB0210) Nodyn | Note: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 5 GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers,

Preferred citation: 2-14.

Ffeil / rhestr eitemau | File / item list Cod cyfeirnod | Ref Teitl | Title Dyddiadau | Statws mynediad | Cynhwysydd | code Dates Access status Container 2-4. vtls005288067 File - Letters from Jack Jones, 1960. 2-4. ISYSARCHB59 Blaenclydach to Dora and Idris Cox, April, 5. vtls005288068 File - Letter from Brian Archer to Idris 1973. 5. ISYSARCHB59 Cox, December, 6. vtls005288069 File - Letter from Basil Davidson to Idris 1977. 6. ISYSARCHB59 Cox, May, 7-14. vtls005288070 File - Correspondence between Idris 1983-1985. 7-14. ISYSARCHB59 and Dora Cox and Bill (WJ) Rees, February 1983 - December 1985, mainly concerned with Bill Rees's ..., Cyfres | Series 15-34. vtls005288071 ISYSARCHB59: Lectures, Speech Notes, and Political Writings, Dyddiad | Date: [1930]-[1989]. (dyddiad creu) | (date of creation) Lleoliad ffisegol | Physical location: ARCH/MSS (GB0210) Nodyn | Note: Preferred citation: 15-34.

Ffeil / rhestr eitemau | File / item list Cod cyfeirnod | Ref Teitl | Title Dyddiadau | Statws mynediad | Cynhwysydd | code Dates Access status Container 15-17. vtls005288072 File - Pamphlets written by Idris Cox on [1930]-1948. 15-17. ISYSARCHB59 behalf of the Communist Party in Wales, relating to problems in South Wales during ..., 18-20. vtls005288073 File - Peace issues: A Oes Heddwch, 1950. 18-20. ISYSARCHB59 1950 (18); speech to the Welsh Congress at Cardiff, June 1950 (19); speech to the ..., 21. vtls005288074 File - How Capitalism Robs the Workers' 1950. 21. ISYSARCHB59 lecture at Swansea, March, 22. vtls005288075 File - 'History of the Communist Party: 1959. 22. ISYSARCHB59 lecture in Norwood, January, 23-4. vtls005288076 File - 'Socialist Concepts in 1920s and 1950. 23-4. ISYSARCHB59 1930s': 2 lectures written after, 25. vtls005288077 File - Lecture on Colonialism written [post 1950]. 25. ISYSARCHB59 after 1950: 'New Stage in the Libertian Struggle Against British Imperialism'. (See also 'Neo-Colonialism and National ...,

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 6 GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers, 26. vtls005288078 File - Biographical sketch of 'Niclas y [1970]-[1989]. 26. ISYSARCHB59 Glais' (T E Nicholas), c 1970s-1980s, 27. vtls005288079 File - 'Nationalism': lecture given to 1970. 27. ISYSARCHB59 Islington YCL, April, 28. vtls005288080 File - 'National Problem in Wales': [1950]-[1959]. 28. ISYSARCHB59 lecture, ?1950s, 29. vtls005288081 File - List of book reviews and articles by 1953-1974. 29. ISYSARCHB59 Idris Cox in three journals, 30. vtls005288082 File - 'Lewis Jones': lecture, 1981. 30. ISYSARCHB59 31. vtls005288083 File - 'Maerdy Lecture': autobiographical [1980]-[1989]. 31. ISYSARCHB59 sketch, c 1980s, 32. vtls005288084 File - 'Scotch Cattle Movement': lecture 1981. 32. ISYSARCHB59 given at Pontypool, 33. vtls005288085 File - Prepared draft of radio interview in [?1984]. 33. ISYSARCHB59 Welsh, [?1984], Cyfres | Series 34-83. vtls005288086 ISYSARCHB59: Miscellaneous, Dyddiad | Date: [?1937]-[pre 1989]. (dyddiad creu) | (date of creation) Lleoliad ffisegol | Physical location: ARCH/MSS (GB0210) Nodyn | Note: Preferred citation: 34-83.

Ffeil / rhestr eitemau | File / item list Cod cyfeirnod | Ref Teitl | Title Dyddiadau | Statws mynediad | Cynhwysydd | code Dates Access status Container 34-42. vtls005288087 Otherlevel - Various Communist [?1937]-[1979]. 34-42. ISYSARCHB59 Articles, Lectures and Reports, 34-7. vtls005288088 File - Four lectures on the History of [?1937]. 34-7. ISYSARCHB59 Women by Dora Cox, [?1937], 38. vtls005288089 File - Summary of the South Wales 1939. 38. ISYSARCHB59 Congress report, 1939 (photocopy), 39. vtls005288090 File - Memorandum: 'The Problem of 1950. 39. ISYSARCHB59 Welsh Nationality and the Communist Solution', probably written by Bill (WJ) Rees, October, 40. vtls005288091 File - Article: 'British Communists and 1954. 40. ISYSARCHB59 the Colonies', New Commonwealth, 24 June, 41. vtls005288092 File - 'Neo-Colonialism and National 1963. 41. ISYSARCHB59 Liberation': Report of a seminar organized by the Communist Party's National Student Committee, 19 July 1963. (Opening ..., 42. vtls005288093 File - Photocopy of list and brief [1970]-[1979]. 42. ISYSARCHB59 description of 'Ultra-left Journals and Groupings', ?1970s, 43-67. vtls005288094 Otherlevel - Communist pamphlets 1934-1947. 43-67. ISYSARCHB59 relating to Wales (mainly the South Wales District),

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 7 GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers, 43. vtls005288095 File - Monmouthshire Hunger March of 1934. 43. ISYSARCHB59 1933, Abertillery, 44. vtls005288096 File - South Wales in the March of 1937. 44. ISYSARCHB59 History, Tonypandy, 45. vtls005288097 File - Letter from Exchange to Parish 1934. 45. ISYSARCHB59 to the PAC For Decency instead of Destitution by Lewis Jones, Tonypandy, 46. vtls005288098 File - A Programme for Life and Health [c 1937]-[c 46. ISYSARCHB59 and Work for South Wales, Cardiff, [c 1938]. 1937]-[c. 1938], 47. vtls005288099 File - Tuberculosis: The White Scourge, [c 1937]-[c 47. ISYSARCHB59 Cardiff, [c 1937]-[c 1938], 1938]. 48. vtls005288100 File - Llwybr Rhyddid y Werin, Bangor, [c 1931]-[c 48. ISYSARCHB59 [c 1931]-[c 1937], 1937]. 49. vtls005288101 File - A Town on the Dole, Abertillery, [c 1937]-[c 49. ISYSARCHB59 [c 1937]-[c. 1939], 1939]. 50. vtls005288102 File - Make Cardiff a Capital City, [c 1937]-[c 50. ISYSARCHB59 Cardiff, [c 1937]-[c 1938], 1938]. 51. vtls005288103 File - The Lore of the People: Eisteddfod [?1937]. 51. ISYSARCHB59 Genedlaethol Cymru, Cardiff, [?1937], 52. vtls005288104 File - Tuberculosis: The White Scourge, 1940. 52. ISYSARCHB59 the War and Wales, Cardiff, 53. vtls005288105 File - A Brighter Future for Abertillery [c 1940]-[c 53. ISYSARCHB59 and District, Abertillery, [c 1940]-[c 1945]. 1945], 54. vtls005288106 File - The Way Forward For South 1943. 54. ISYSARCHB59 Wales. Report of the South Wales Congress of the Communist Party, Abertridwr, 55. vtls005288107 File - Your Water. How. When?, 1943. 55. ISYSARCHB59 Abertridwr, 56. vtls005288108 File - When War Jobs Finish, Abertridwr, 1944. 56. ISYSARCHB59 57. vtls005288109 File - For a Speedy Victory and a New 1944. 57. ISYSARCHB59 Life for South Wales, Tonypandy, 58. vtls005288110 File - Wales in the New World, 1944. 58. ISYSARCHB59 Abertridwr, 59. vtls005288111 File - The Flame of Welsh Freedom: 1944. 59. ISYSARCHB59 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Abertridwr, 60. vtls005288112 File - Siartr y Chwarelwyr, North Wales [c 1939]-[c 60. ISYSARCHB59 District Communist Party, [c 1939]-[c 1945]. 1945], 61. vtls005288113 File - Report of the Welsh Committee 1943-1944. 61. ISYSARCHB59 to the First All-Wales Congress of the Communist Party For September 1943 - December 1944 ..., 62. vtls005288114 File - Communist Policy for the People 1945. 62. ISYSARCHB59 of Wales, Abertridwr, 63. vtls005288115 File - Bridgend Looks to the Future, 1946. 63. ISYSARCHB59 Cardiff, 64. vtls005288116 File - Pamphlet of Communist candidates 1946. 64. ISYSARCHB59 in the 1946 County Council Elections, Abertridwr,

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 8 GB 0210 IDRCOX Idris Cox Papers, 65. vtls005288117 File - Make 1947 a Real New Year in 1947. 65. ISYSARCHB59 Wales, Abertridwr, 66. vtls005288118 File - Communist Plan For Cardiff, [c 1946]. 66. ISYSARCHB59 Abertridwr, [c 1946], 67. vtls005288119 File - Fighters for the People: A [c 1946]. 67. ISYSARCHB59 Record of the Activity of Communist Councillors in Wales, Abertridwr, [c 1946], 68-70. vtls005288121 File - Extracts, including some relating [1936]. 68-70. ISYSARCHB59 to the Hunger Marches 1936, from the Daily Worker, 72-6. vtls005288122 File - Memorial notices of T. Francis [pre 1989]. 72-6. ISYSARCHB59 Jarman, Dafydd Francis, George Baker and T E Nicholas (y Glais), 77-80. vtls005288123 File - Newsletters, including material on [pre 1989]. 77-80. ISYSARCHB59 the devolution campaign in Wales, 81. vtls005288124 File - Report: Pulmonary Tuberculosis in [1952]. 81. ISYSARCHB59 the Rhondda Fach, by A L Cochrane, T. Francis Jarman and J. Glyn Cox, 82. vtls005288125 File - Extracts from an Anglo-Welsh [1979]. 82. ISYSARCHB59 political magazine, 83. vtls005736926 File - Postcard from the South Wales [pre 1989]. 83. ISYSARCHB59 Miners Library,

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