T Sociology

DATE: 1933-1964

LEVEL: Series

This series contains records, reports and correspondence primarily concerning a series of publications through the Dartington Hall Studies in Rural Sociology, and other publications and sociological studies connected with Dartington. It includes various reports on the Trustees' proposal for the research and writing of an early history of the Dartington Hall experiment, including those by Maurice Ash. Also of interest is research undertaken by Kirk and Frankenberg concerning the impact of new industrial development upon the villages and towns of the Torbay area, and the reports to Trustees for the Farm Management Research Department by John Nalson. Other material includes correspondence and reports with the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations documenting the relationship with Leonard Elmhirst and collaboration with the Dartington Hall estate, including a report (doc No 171) about the estate. There are also records of the contracting of academic experts including anthropologist Adam Curle to undertake rural social research at Dartington; W M Williams to undertake a survey of rural industries; John Saville researching and reporting on rural depopulation; and David St John Thomas on rural transportation. There is correspondence concerning publications by E W Martin, Isabel Emmett, Zoltan P Dienes, and publications edited by H A T Child.

Lastly, the series contains correspondence, memoranda and other material relating to the Nuffield College Social Reconstruction Survey (1941-1944). Dartington Hall Arts Administrator Christopher Martin was the Chief Local Investigator appointed for the Social Reconstruction Survey in the Devonshire area, and there are records and reports in this series by Martin and others.

The Nuffield College Social Reconstruction Survey took place during 1941-1944. According to G D H Cole, chairman, the general purpose of the Survey was to prepare the ground for the formulation of plans governing what should be made to happen in post-war Britain. This was to be accomplished by gathering information and impressions about what had occurred during the war. Christopher Martin was the Chief Local Investigator for the Devonshire area.

Leonard Elmhirst and the Trustees wished to see a programme of sociological research undertaken at Dartington and after the war approached the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations with a proposal to finance a survey. This led to the appointment of Adam Curle, the first of a series of social investigators.

For further information relating to Adam Curle, G Duncan Mitchell, John Saville, W M Williams, R Frankenberg, M Kirk, David St.John Thomas, E W Martin and Isabel Emmett see 'The Enterprise of Dartington Hall, First supplement (to the Main Report) 1956-65 by Victor Bonham-Carter (pg 98-119).

A series of books in the series Dartington Hall Studies in Rural Sociology were published by Routledge and Kegan Paul. Further books were published with the help of the 'Official Fund' administered by Victor Bonham Carter.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847200
yvonne.widger@dartington.org

This information is copyright The Dartington Hall Trust