Subject strengths: Economics, Science, Engineering

This collection of books was given to the Library by Gertrude Bell's brother Maurice (1871-1944), most of which previously belonged to Sir Hugh and Sir Lowthian Bell (respectively their father and grandfather) who were both industrialists. The collection consists of approximately 500 books and is strongest in economics and industry, particularly coal mining, railways and chemistry, but also including iron, steel, explosives and oyster fisheries.

Included are Beckly, H. The bankers' panic: a letter to the Right Honourable Benjamin Disraeli, M.P., First Lord of the Treasury (1875), Hole, J. The homes of the working classes, with suggestions for their improvement (1866) and works by two prominent women - the writer on science, mathematics and astronomy, Mary Somerville's Physical geography (1858) and one of the leaders of the suffrage movement, Millicent Garrett Fawcett's Political economy for beginners (1876).

Collection Name and Collection Reference Code:

Collection Name: Bell (Maurice) Collection

Library Search Collection Ref Code: Maurice Bell Coll.

Date Range of Material

1773 - 1941

Type of Material

Rare book collection

Size of Collection

12 Linear Metres of shelving 

How To Order Items From This Collection

The books within this collection are described within the Newcastle University Library Search and can be ordered directly from the catalogue.

This link to the Library Search will show a list of all the items within the collection. Please note this link is available to members of the public as well as University staff and students.

Unable to visit our Reading Room?

If you are unable to visit our reading room, we also have a virtual reading room service and a digitisation service. 

Other resources

Other collections with a family link to Maurice Bell include Bell (Gertrude) Collection and Bell (Gertrude) Archive (his sister) for her library and archive and Plowden (Lady Bridget) Archive (his niece).