Records of the Chairman, 1940 - 2008
Dates
- Creation: 1940 - 2008
Scope and Contents
The New Ulster Movement records show the organization's efforts to promote peace in Northern Ireland through moderate political policies between 1969-1978. These records were largely created or collected by founding chairman Brian W. Walker and, to a lesser extent, treasurer Cecil Hull.
Correspondence illustrates the discussions of NUM leadership and the organization's efforts to bring their message to members of the British, Irish, and Northern Irish governments. Lengthier memorandum addressed to specific government leaders elucidate the details of proposed policy. Walker's long-running correspondence with G.B. Newe, who served as the Northern Irish Minister of State between 1971-1972, documents willingness to work across the religious spectrum. The response of the public and religious leaders to NUM is evident in external correspondence through their criticism of NUM's public statements, membership inquiries, and invitations to speak. Most correspondence dates to the period when both Walker and Hull were living in Northern Ireland, 1969-1973. A small amount of correspondence received by Walker at Oxfam from 1974 shows his gradual disengagement from the work of the NUM.
The remainder of the collection is largely Walker’s executive records and writings. The executive records include NUM annual reports, committee drafts, minutes, position papers, and pamphlets. The writings series contains a memoir, articles, lectures, and speeches, as well as a few of Walker's earlier lectures on personnel management and industrial relations. Walker maintained files on aligned groups--such as the Community Conference, Peace Point, and the United Nations Association--and served on many of them. These files document the major Northern Ireland political parties and religious groups working for peace. The Alliance Party is well documented, particularly in Hull's records, as he remained affiliated with it longer than Walker. Otherwise Hull's records mirror Walker's exective and organization files but in lesser volume.
Finally, the NUM records feature a good number of contemporaneous newspaper articles, position papers, reports, and speeches regarding politics in Northern Ireland, which served as a reference for the formulation of NUM policy. Most are typescripts that circulated outside of published distribution.
Creator
- From the Collection: Walker, Brian W. (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research. One audio cassette has been digitally copied; all original media was retained, but may not be played due to format. Digital use copies can only be accessed in the Burns Library Reading Room.
Extent
7.25 Linear Feet (16 containers)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com