From GDP/49 Thomas Harradence Thomas Harradence (1801-1878) was a bookseller in Camberwell. Here’s he records a domestic accident involving one of his children. 31 May 1846 Went with Jim to look at house. Daughter Sarah swallowed a Farthing during my absence – about one oclock – had Boy out with me for the first time – saw Bristow [the doctor] – Sarah to be let alone – NB interestingly Dr J Dee (the famed mathematician, alchemist, Queen's confidante and spiritualist) would meticulously note the ailments of his children. As did the early Renaissance Florentine diarists (who wrote in ricordanze)......

6 June From GDP/32 Anon This anonymous diary was kept as a record of the services its writer attended in various non-conformist chapels in the City of London. This entry refers to a sermon preached on John Ch. 14 v. 22 (the Last Supper) at the chapel at Ropemaker’s Alley in Moorfields. Mr Farmer at Mr Goodwin’s Morn 6 June 1736: 14 John 22 Judas saith unto him (not Iscariot) How wilt thou shew thy self unto us so as not unto the rest of the world -

5 May From GDP/7 DG DG (born 1948) was a nurse in South London, who at the time of this entry was doing a course in Nursing Training. Here, she writes about the storming of the Iranian embassy by the SAS following the taking of 26 hostages by Arab separatists. The diarist’s husband, a member of the Metropolitan Police’s Diplomatic Protection Group, was on the scene when the embassy was stormed. 5 May 1980 B [the diarist’s husband] on 6am. D [the diarist’s son] & I up 10.30ish!! Tried booking hol again – no dice. Rang A! Washed all the [...]

4 May From GDP/7 DG DG (born 1948) was a nurse in South London. Here, she reflects on her domestic situation, and on the election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister. 4 May 1979 Overslept → 8.10!! Kids → school. WON THE ELECTION – Mrs Thatcher is first Woman P.M. in Western World!! Fantastic! → Bromley → R’s [a stable] – rode Horace out – good! Home for lunch [with] B [the diarist’s husband]. Hayes in pm. Drove E’s car back from Bromley for her!!

26 May From GDP/8 John Leeson John Leeson (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. The regular arrivals and departures of servants pepper these diaries. 26 May 1849 Elizabeth Norris [the diarist’s servant] better [from rheumatic fever] + able to come downstairs – very weak – her stomach not right – nothing that she eats stays on [sic] it. I therefore wished her to leave – which she did on Tuesday afternoon – cried – without a servant until Saturday. Saw servant – [...]

3 May From GDP/8 John Leeson John Leeson (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. 3 May 1851 1st – The Chrystal [sic] Palace in Hyde Park opened for the Exhibition by Queen Victoria + Prince Albert – fine day, many persons there. Wednesday – We dined with Mr. Brown + family – Mr. Brown + family came to see the Exhibition opened + spent afternoon with us. Miss Gilbert + Blackburne took tea with us. Sir G. Grey brt. Into House of [...]

Over the past few months, we have been posting weekly entries from diaries in the collection. As a treat we’ve assembled a list of all the excerpts. Why not Tweet/Facebook your favourite? This way we can give you more of what you like. The date for each entry e.g 2 December 1942 is a link to a post. Click on the date to read the post. 2 December 1942 – The Bicycle Thieves. 5 December 1953 – Party party! 15 December and 29 December 1927 – Cold weather and hot politics. 20 December 1851 – How my wife gave birth [...]

19 April From GDP/8 John Leeson John Leeson (1803-1865) owned and rented out property in London. In his diaries, he regularly recorded a mixture of his business dealings, family news, and politics. Here, he relates in unusually effusive terms, his brush with danger in a run-away carriage. 20 April 1861 Mrs. Tunks spent a few days with us - & when we came home from London in a fly – the horse ran away with me alone in it from our house, he providentially stop’d at his old stable nr. Addison Road. I have much cause to be thankful to [...]

12 April From GDP/27 Ida May Berry Ida May Berry (1884-1959) lived in West Didsbury, near Manchester when she wrote this diary. Here, as her family move to a new house, she marks the end of her diary. The New Year has dawned, and my diary has come to an end. All the events chronicled here happened at Northern Grove, and as we are going to remove, there will be no need to keep a further record, as the scenes are changing. We leave the delights of the “Past” behind and hope that the Future still holds Happiness in store [...]

5 April From GDP/31 AR AR (1905-1993) grew up in Stepney. She kept a diary regularly as a young woman, and later made occasional entries when particularly significant events happened. Here, she records her son’s Bar Mitzvah and her daughter’s wedding. July 1949 An exciting year! A [the diarist’s son] got Barmitzvahed on April 24 – we had a lovely party, and he said his speech very well, without any shyness – and everything went smoothly. On July 7th – last week, G [the diarist’s daughter] got married – Its [sic] hard to realize – it seems such a little [...]