Stories from the collection

What was the everyday reality for LGBTQ+ people in the 80s and 90s living under the infamous Section 28, and how was it eventually repealed?

Anne Lister and Ann Walker's romantic relationship defied societal norms of their time, as we can encounter through the archival material they left behind.

Ivor Cummings (1913–1992) greeted the iconic arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury in 1948. He became known as the 'gay father of the Windrush generation'.

April Ashley (1935–2021) was a pioneering model, campaigner and key figure in trans history.

This petition marked an unprecedented moment in British history: 1,500 women directly demanding the vote.

This drawing of the New York shows a small settlement on the verge of violent protests and dramatic change.

This previously unknown letter from Adrienne de Lafayette reveals her unfailing love for her husband.

The 1951 Festival of Britain transformed London’s South Bank with an array of new buildings and gardens. What happened after it closed?

Discover how a ship's surgeon unknowingly recorded a critical event that reshaped Siam’s government forever.

In May 1926 over 1.5 million UK workers went on strike, bringing Britain to a standstill. Our records provide an insight into its origins and impact.

Explore this love letter from John Laurens, one of George Washington’s most trusted soldiers, expresses his love for his wife during the American Revolutionary.

This letter tells the story of a daring attack on a British town during the American Revolutionary War.

This record explores how airwomen spent their work and leisure time at a Royal Air Force base during the Second World War.

Buried among a collection of official documents curated by William III are an unusual find: expressions of love.

Letters from Mary Parker, a trader based in London whose business spread across the Atlantic, reveal her fascinating story as a woman merchant during wartime.