The L.S.E.’s important collection of literature from the pioneering days of the British Birth Control movement contains much rare and hitherto inaccessible material, and is broadly comprehensive, particularly in the early years, of pamphlets and ephemera.
The items fall into five main classes: the early pioneering tracts of Loudon, Robert Dale Owen etc.; the pamphlets produced by the young and struggling birth control movement, such as those of the Malthusian League; the advertising and instructional materials put out by manufacturers and retailers; some early historical sketches by Himes, Talbot and others; and a few examples of polemics, usually fairly abusive, against birth control and its advocates (‘Agate’, Poulson, Watts).
“Contains most of the classic works of The Movement”. Microfilm Review, October 1974.
10 reels
Reference: BCE
| Part A: 19th Century | |
| Reel | Contents |
| 1 | Agate (Peter) M.D. (pseudonym). Sexual economy as taught by Charles Bradlaugh, M.P. London |
| Appeal To The Editors Of The Times, 1845 | |
| Barr, Sir J. The aim and scope… 1911 | |
| Besant, Annie. The law of population. London, 1880 | |
| Besant, Annie. The law of population. London, 1887. Catalogue of works sold by the Freethought Publishing Company Another edition – catalogue of books and pamphlets sold by R. Forder | |
| Besant, Annie. The social aspects of Malthusianism. London, 1880 | |
| Besant, Annie. Theosophy and the law of population. 1904 | |
| Bradlaugh, C. and Besant, A. Defendants in High Court… 1877 | |
| Carlile, Richard. Every Woman’s Book. London, 1892 | |
| Courtney L.H. (1st Baron Courtney) The swarming of men. 1888 | |
| Dampier-Whetham, W.C. Eugenics and unemployment. 1910 | |
| Dampier-Whetham, W.C. and C.D. An introduction to eugenics. 1912 | |
| Darwin, L. Eugenics and national economy. 1913 | |
| De Aula, H. A new theory of poverty. 1872 (“Finsbury Free Press” Poor Laws: two essays on poor laws… 1868) | |
| Drysdale, B.I. Wanted, beautiful babies. 190? | |
| 2 | Drysdale, C.R. The cause of poverty. London, 1890 |
| Drysdale, C.R. Clerical opinions on the population question. London, 1902 | |
| Drysdale, C.R. The life and writings of Thomas R. Malthus (Second Edition). London, 1892 | |
| Drysdale, C.R. Medical 0pinions on the population question. London, 1901 | |
| Drysdale, C.R. The population question according to T.R. Malthus and J.S. Mill. London, 1892 | |
| Drysdale, C.R. The population question… 1892 | |
| Drysdale, C.V. and B.I. A crusade against poverty. 1906 | |
| Drysdale, C.V. The empire and the birth rate. London, 1914 | |
| Drysdale, C.V. Freewomen and the birth rate. 1911 | |
| Drysdale, C.V. Neo-Malthusianism and eugenics. 1912 | |
| Drysdale, G.R. The elements of social science. 1871 | |
| Drysdale, Dr. George. The extinction of war, poverty and infectious diseases. London, 1397 | |
| 3 | Drysdale, Dr. George. The state remedy for poverty. London, 1904 |
| Drysdale, G.R. The state remedy for poverty… 1904 | |
| Edgar, J. Eugenics and patriotism. 1912 | |
| Every Woman’s book or what is love?… 1828 | |
| Feast, R. Bonner. Review of rapid increase. 1869 | |
| Finch, A.E. Malthusiana: illustration of the influence of nature’s law… 1904 | |
| Gaskell, G.A. Social control of the birth rate and endowment of mothers. 1890 | |
| Hawkes, Mrs. R.J.J. What is eugenics? 1910 | |
| Holmes, James Robins. True morality: of the theory and practice of neo-Malthusianism. 1896 Another edition. 1905 | |
| 4 | Holyoake, Austin. Large or small families? London, 1870 |
| International Eugenics Congress. Abstracts of papers read at first I.E.C…. 1912 | |
| Knowlton, Charles. M.D. Fruits of philosophy (and second new edition). London, 1877 | |
| Knowlton, Charles. Fruits of philosophy. Date unknown | |
| Lambert, E. and Son. Special list of domestic and surgical specialities. London, circa 1911 | |
| Liberal (The). A monthly magazine. April/September 1879 | |
| 5 | Loudon, C. The equilibrium of population… 1836 |
| MacGregor, Margaret. The white slaves of morality. London, 1910 | |
| Malthusian League. The Malthusian handbook… 1893 | |
| Malthusian League. Leaflets. 1906 | |
| Malthusian League. Leaflets. No. 10. 190? | |
| Malthusian League. Opinions of eminent men… 1906 | |
| Malthusian League. Unemployment. 1908 | |
| Malthusian League. 1913 | |
| Malthusian League. The war. 1914 | |
| Marcus. On the possibility of limiting populousness. 1838 | |
| Marcus. Suppressed work: The right of the peer to live… 1839 | |
| Miller, George Noyes. The strike of a sex. London, 1891 | |
| More, A. Fecundity versus civilisation… No date | |
| Moss, A.B. and Quelch, H. A debate, Malthusianism vs. Socialism. 1899 | |
| National Reformer (The). Radical advocate and Freethought journal. 1892 | |
| National Secular Society. The National Secular Society’s almanac for 1879 | |
| On the means of retaining the population. 1820 | |
| Owen, R.D. Moral physiology. 1832 | |
| Owen, R.D. Moral physiology. 1870 | |
| Oxoniensis (pseudonym). Early marriage and late parentage. London, 1906 | |
| Pearson, K. Eugenics and public health. 1912 | |
| Pinsent, E.F. Social responsibility and heredity. 1910 | |
| Poulson, Edward. The history of the elements of social science. London, 1892 | |
| Progress. A monthly magazine. December 1834 | |
| Robertson, John Mackinnon. Over population. London, 1889 Another edition | |
| Robertson, John Mackinnon. Over population. 1900 | |
| Robertson, John. Socialism and Malthusianism. London, 1885 | |
| Routh, C.H.F. The moral and physical evils. 1879 | |
| Saleeby, C.W. Biology and history. The creed of eugenics. 1908 | |
| 6 | Saleeby, C.W. The methods of race regeneration. 1911 |
| Simpson, George. Infantile morality and the birth rate. Salford, circa 1911 | |
| Smith, Henry. A plea for the unborn. 1897 | |
| Trall, R.T. A new theory of population… 1857 | |
| Truelove, Edward. In the high court of justice. 1878 | |
| Queen vs. Edward Truelove for publishing Owen’s moral physiology. 1878 | |
| Truelove, Edward. Reformers’ Library, 256 High Holborn (a catalogue). London, circa 1830 | |
| Vickery, A.D. A woman’s Malthusian league. 1900 | |
| Vincent, G.G. A letter to the editor of The Times… 1844 | |
| Watts, Charlie. A refutation of Mr. Bradlaugh’s inaccuracies and misrepresentations… London, 1877 | |
| Webb, S. (1st Baron Passfield). Eugenics and the poor law. 1909 | |
| Welton, C.J. Marriage and its mysteries. 41st edition. Nottingham, 1908 | |
| Whatham, Rev. Arthur Edward. Neo-Malthusianism, a defence… Walthamstow, 1907 | |
| Windeyer, Mr. Justice William Charles. Is limitation of the family immoral? London, 1889 | |
| Windeyer, Mr. Justice William Charles. On the population question? 1889 | |
| Woodhull, V.C. The rapid multiplication of the unfit. 1891 | |
| Woodhull, V.C. Scientific propagation of the human race. 1893 | |
| Woodhull, V.C. Stirpiculture… 1888 |
| Part B: 20th Century | |
| Reel | Contents |
| 7 | Aldred, G.A. The religion and economics of sex repression. London, 1907 |
| Abortion Law Reform Association Conference. 1936 | |
| Allbutt, Dr. Henry Arthur. The wife’s handbook. London, circa 1917 | |
| Anglo-German Pharmaceutical Products Corporation Ltd. Scientific birth control. London, 1930 | |
| Armstrong, C.W. The only way: a… solution to the problems of over-population… 1921? | |
| Baird, D. Birth control and maternal health. 1937 | |
| Barrett, Lady F.E. Conception control and its effects… 1922 | |
| Billington-Greig, T. Commonsense on the population question. 1914 | |
| Birth Control International Information Centre. Worldwide birth control: An appeal. London, circa 1931 | |
| Birth Control International Information Centre. Margaret Sanger… 1934 | |
| Birth Control International Information Centre. Round the world for birth control. 1936 | |
| Birth Control International Information Centre. Worldwide birth control. 1930 | |
| Blacker, C.P. Birth control and the state… 1926 | |
| Bond, C.J. Some causes of racial decay. 1928) | |
| Bromley, D.D. Birth control and the depression. 1934 | |
| Canavan, J. The economic aspects… 1927 | |
| Chance, J. The case for the reform of the abortion laws. 1936 | |
| Conference On The Giving Of Information On Birth Control By Public Health Authorities Report. London, 1930 Another edition. London, 1930 | |
| Daniels, E.S. Birth control and poverty. London, 1925? | |
| Daniels, E.S. The children of desire. London, 1925 | |
| Darwin, L. Eugenics during and after the war… 1915 | |
| Darwin, L. Memorandum on the consideration of heredity. 1919 | |
| Darwin, L. Report of an add… 1914 | |
| Dawson, B. (1st Viscount Dawson of Penn). Love-marriage – Birth-control. 1922 | |
| Dawson, John (i.e. Arthur Clements). Price lists of domestic and surgical appliances… London, circa 1923 | |
| Drysdale, Bessie Ingman. Labour troubles and birth control (an advertising leaflet). London, 1920 | |
| Drysdale, B.I. Labour troubles and birth control. 1920 | |
| Drysdale, B.I. The Malthusian League… 1921 | |
| Drysdale, Bessie Ingman. To working men and women! London, 1915 | |
| Drysdale, Bessie Ingman. War babies. London, 1915 | |
| Drysdale, Charles Vickery. D.Sc. (London). M.I.E.E. The Malthusian doctrine and its modern aspects (Part 1). London, 1917 | |
| Drysdale, C.V. The neo-Malthusian ideal… | |
| Duplex Novelty Co. Dr. Kelly expanding douche. Clapham SW, circa 1925 | |
| Family limitations or methods of birth control. Bradford, 1919? | |
| Fifth International Ne0-Malthusian & Birth Control Conference. Preliminary programme. London, 1922 | |
| Fifth International Ne0-Malthusian & Birth Control Conference. Two leaflets advertising a public meeting. London, 1922 | |
| Goodman, Dr. D (pseudonym?). My views on birth control. London, 1937 | |
| Haire, N. How I run my birth control clinic. 1929 | |
| Haire, Norman. Ch.M. M.B. and others. Hygienic methods of family limitation. London, 1922 | |
| Hancock & C0. Ltd. The shadow of the stork. London, 1933 | |
| Himes, N.E. The birth control handbills of 1823. 1927 | |
| 8 | Himes, N.E. Eugenic thought… 1921 |
| Himes, N.E. Eugenic thought in… 1929 | |
| Himes, Norman Edwin. John Stuart Mills’ attitude towards neo-Malthusianism. London, 1929 | |
| Himes, Norman Edwin and (Hokanson, afterwards), Himes, Vera Carola. Birth control for the British working classes. New York, 1929 | |
| Holmes, James Robins. An illustrated price list of neo-Malthusian appliances and hygienic requisites. 1914 Another edition. F.J.R. Holmes’ supplementary price list of… 1922 Another edition. A descriptive price list of… Another edition. A short list or the more important articles which are used in the practice of… 1936 | |
| How-Martyn, Edith and Breed, Mary. The birth control movement in England. 1930 | |
| Hygienic Stores Ltd. Revised catalogue of high class rubber, medical, surgical goods and domestic appliances. London, circa 1923 Another edition. Revised catalogue of… London, circa 1937 | |
| International Neo-Malthusian Bureau of Correspondence & Defence… 1915 | |
| International Neo-Malthusian Bureau of Correspondence & Defence. Report and accounts. 1916 | |
| Knowlton, C. Fruits of philosophy (reprint). 1937 | |
| Le Brasseur Surgical Manufacturing C0. Ltd. Catalogue D. Birmingham, 1937 | |
| Liberator (The). A journal advocating birth control. Bradford, 1920 | |
| McCann F. The disastrous influence of a declining birth rate… 1929 | |
| Malthusian (The). Extracts reprinted from the January (1917) issue of the ‘Malthusian’. 1917 | |
| Malthusian League. Birth control! What it aims at. 1922 | |
| Malthusian League. Fortieth (the 42nd) annual report. London, 1918 (1920) | |
| Malthusian League. Jubilee Year. London, 1927 | |
| Malthusian League. The M.L. 1877 – 1927. 1927 | |
| Malthusian League. Practical methods of family limitation. London, 1920? | |
| Malthusian League. Public meeting at Kensington Town Hall. London, 1922 | |
| Malthusian League. A recruiting leaflet. London, 1915) | |
| Mann, Dr. Oster. Birth control (husband and wives handbook), London, 1926 Another edition. Birth control etc. London, 1938 | |
| Marchant, Sir. J. Cradles or coffins? 1916 | |
| Maurice, Dr. St. Clair. Advice to married women. London, 1937 | |
| Mitchison, N.M. Comments on birth control. Circa 1930 | |
| Money, Sir L.G.C. The peril of the white. 1925 | |
| 9 | National Birth Control Association Annual Reports. 1930 – 1936 |
| National Birth Control Association. Interim report on progress | |
| National Birth Control Association. Parenthood. 1934 | |
| National Birth Rate Commission. Problems of population and parenthood… 1920 | |
| National Council of Public Morals. The declining birth rate… 1916 | |
| Neale, Douglas. Guide for husbands and wives. Birmingham, circa 1935 Another edition. Guide for husbands and wives etc. Revised 1937 | |
| Pack, Ernest. Sexual economics… Bradford, circa 1920 | |
| Palmer, D. Defendant – birth control trial. 1938 | |
| Payne, D.R. (pseudonym?). Private words to women… London, 1927 Another edition. Private words to women, etc. London, 1937 | |
| Phelps, Mrs. Annie. Birth control and what it means. London, 1922 | |
| Phelps, Mrs. Annie. Children by desire. London, 1925 | |
| Practising Physician (A). Medical views on birth control… London, circa 1925 | |
| Queens Hall Meeting On Constructive Birth Control: Speeches and impressions. London, 1923 | |
| Report on conference on giving of information… 1930 | |
| Reynolds, Thomas H. Birth control: its use and abuse… London, 1933 Another edition. Birth control etc. London, 1937 | |
| 10 | Rout (afterwards Hornibrook), Ettie A. Sexual health and birth control. London, 1925 |
| Saleeby C.W. Ministry of health and the racial poisons: a lecture. 1918 | |
| Sanger, Margaret. Family limitation. London and Glasgow, 1920 | |
| St. Pancras Birth Control League. A publicity leaflet. London, circa 1927 | |
| Sharpe C.H. Lady Astor and birth prevention. 1928 | |
| Society For Constructive Birth Control. Constructive birth control. 1921 | |
| Society Of Friends. Marriage and parenthood… 1925 | |
| Society For The Provision Of Birth Control Clinics. Annual report 1932 – 1933 | |
| Society For The Provision Of Birth Control Clinics. Annual reports. 1932 to date | |
| Society For The Provision Of Birth Control Clinics. Birth control and public health. 1932 | |
| Society For The Provision Of Birth Control Clinics. Observations… 1937 | |
| Steward, Dr. Grayling. Wedlock and birth control. London, circa 1939 Another edition. Wedlock and birth control etc. Birmingham, circa 1941 | |
| Stewart, Thomas William. Some opinions on birth control… London, circa 1920 | |
| Stopes, H.C. Early days of birth control. 1922 | |
| Stopes, Marie Carmichael. Preliminary notes on various technical aspects of the control of conception… London, 1930 | |
| Stopes, H.C. Equipping a birth control clinic. 1934 | |
| Stopes, H.C. Some new concepts… 1934 | |
| Swasey, George H. Large or small families? Bradford, 1919 | |
| Talbot, Bertram. Points for propagandists… London, 1925 | |
| Thurtle, D. Abortion: right or wrong? 1940 | |
| U.S. Congress. Birth control hearing… 1934 | |
| Wakefield, Rt. Rev. Henry Russell, Bishop of Birmingham. The ethics of birth control. Leicester, 1919 | |
| Walker, Gladstone. Practical eugenics. 1924 | |
| Warren, Stewart. The wife’s guide and friend… London, 1927 | |
| Whitehead, George. Birth control and race culture. London, 1925 | |
| Workers Birth Control Group. Memorandum on birth control. 1924 |
| Appendix | |
| Reel | Contents |
| 10 | Daniels, E.S. Autograph letter, signed, to Hubert Cutner. 23 January 23 1947 |
| Dunlop, Binnie. Two autograph letters, signed, to Herbert Cutner. 9 January 1920 and 9 May 1920 | |
| Field, James Alfred. Two autograph letters, signed, to Ambrose G. Barker. 20 and 23 November 1913 | |
| Jenks, Hilda M. Autograph letter, signed, to Herbert Cutner. 28 January 1959 | |
| Malthusian League. A receipt. 8 January 1920 |