Catalogue description PAPERS OF SIR JAMES MATTHEWS.

The papers listed here were deposited in the Record Office at various times, (Accession Nos. 252, 322, 328, 329, 332, 417, 427, 1096, 1162, 1285, 1370, 1717, 1793 and 3099), and the files have been regrouped into broad subjects for easier reference.

Matthews, James, Sir, 1887-1981, of Southampton

• Southampton

James Matthews, a Quaker, was born on 25th March, 1887, and started his working life as an apprentice in Portsmouth Dockyard.

He soon became interested in educational activities, and joined his first Workers' Educational Association class in 1909 in Portsmouth. In 1919 became the Hon. Branch Secretary and chairman of the newly formed Hampshire Federation. In 1921 he became secretary of the new Southern District of the W.E.A., and full-time Secretary 1924-1952, but continued after that on the Central Executive of the W.E.A., and as Vice President of the National Institute of Adult Education. Besides W.E.A. lectures by other people, he also gave many himself on a variety of subjects.

He came to Southampton in 1929, and became a member by co-option of the Southampton Borough Education Committee in 1930. He fought and lost 5 elections as a Labour candidate before becoming Councillor for the former Town Ward in 1934. He was Councillor 1934-1945, Alderman 1945 - 24th May, 1967 and an Honorary Freeman 1958 and Honorary Alderman of the City of Southampton 1967.

His main spheres in the Council were Education and Town Planning, but he was also Chairman of the Art Gallery Committee from 1953 (Art Gallery and Museums Committee from 1958) to 1967. He was a Council member of the Education Committee from 1934 and of various of its sub-committees, and Vice-Chairman in 1966. He has also played an active part on a number of University committees.

He played a prominent part in rebuilding the blitzed Town as Chairman of the Town Planning Committee 1945-1967. In 1957 he became leader of the Labour group of Councillors in succession to Alderman Thomas Lewis, and was knighted for public services in 1966. A commemorative plaque to Sir James was unveiled in the Civic Centre in 1977.

Sir James was granted an honorary M.A. degree by Bristol University in 1949, and an honorary doctorate of law by Southampton University in 1962. He was also a Magistrate for the County, retiring in 1962. In 1978 Sir James retired from his remaining University and other committees. He died in 1981

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