Where can I undertake research using the original documents?
The GNM Archive acquires and makes accessible the corporate records of the Observer, as well as individuals and organisations that have made a significant impact on the history of the organisation such as former employees and writers. Information on the Observer Archive and personal collections of those associated with the paper can be found on our website and more details can be found on our online catalogue. If you wish to make an appointment to view any material from the Observer Archive please email archives@guardian.co.uk
Please note that few documents relating to the Observer's early years are known to have survived and the majority of those that have survived remain within private collections. The archive of JL Garvin (editor of the Observer 1908 - 1942) is held by the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin. A microfilm of the catalogue is available for consultation in the archive reading room.
What information is available online relating to the history of the Observer?
The GNM Archive has a brief history of the Observer newspaper on its website, as well as an interactive timeline.
What books have been written about the history of the Observer?
A number of books have been written about the history of the Observer including:
The Observer and JL Garvin 1908-1914, A study of a great editorship
Alfred M Gollin (published by Oxford University Press (London) 1960)
David Astor and the Observer
Richard Cockett (published by Andre Deutsch (London) 1991, ISBN 023 398 7355)
The Observer, A short history of the world's oldest Sunday newspaper
Stephen Pritchard (published by the Observer (London) 2002)
The books should be available at local libraries via inter-library loan or are available for consultation in the archive reading room at Kings Place (appointment required).
