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University of Bradford >> Library >> Special Collections >> W.R. Mitchell Archive
The books and archives donated by Dr Mitchell reflect his career with "The Dalesman", and his lifelong interest in the history and natural history of the Yorkshire Dales and the way of life of its people.
W.R. ("Bill") Mitchell was born in Skipton in 1928. After gaining journalistic experience on the "Craven Herald", he joined "The Dalesman" in 1948, later becoming editor. "The Dalesman" was first published from the Dales village of Clapham in 1939. It features Yorkshire life, past and present. Bill Mitchell also edited its sister magazine, "Cumbria", for many years. He retired in 1988, but continued to write about Yorkshire, producing over 100 books, and many articles for other journals and local newspapers. In 1996 he was awarded the MBE, and, in the same year, the University of Bradford awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.
Most of the books in the collection are Dalesman publications or the Castleberg imprint which Dr. Mitchell set up in 1988. They cover Lakeland, Lancashire, the North York Moors and the Peak District. Subjects include walking and other leisure activities, caving, wildlife, social life and customs, humour, and industrial history.
The collection is fully catalogued, and can be seen on the Library catalogue.
The Archive includes:
Further information about the Archive:
For further information or to use this Archive, please contact the Special Collections staff.
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