Researching the history of the Guardian

What books have been written on the history of the Guardian?
A number of books have been written on the history of the Guardian including:

Guardian, Biography of a Newspaper
David Ayerst (published by Collins (London) 1971, ISBN 000 211 3295)

CP Scott, 1846-1932, The Making of the Manchester Guardian
AP Wadsworth (ed) (published by Frederick Muller Ltd (London) 1946)

Guardian Years
Alastair Hetherington (published by Chatto & Windus (London) 1981, ISBN 070 112 5527)

Changing Faces, The History of the Guardian 1956-1988
Geoffrey Taylor (published by Fourth Estate (London) 1993, ISBN 185 702 1002)

Newsroom, The Guardian past and present Michael McNay (ed) (published by Guardian Newspapers Ltd (London) 2002)

These books should be available at local libraries via inter-library loan or are available for consultation in the archive reading room at the Newsroom (appointment required). Selected titles are available for sale at the Newsroom.

Where can I undertake research using the original documents?
The majority of the Guardian's historical material, 1821-1970s, is held by the John Rylands University Library of Manchester. An overview of the collection at JRULM can be found on the JRULM website.

A catalogue of the Guardian archive at JRULM can be consulted in the archive reading room at the Newsroom (appointment required). Most, if not all, of the catalogue can be searched online for personal and corporate names on the National Register of Archives website.

Applications to undertake research using the Guardian archive at JRULM should be made in writing in the first instance to Dr James Peters, Archivist, John Rylands University Library, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PP, email james.n.peters@manchester.ac.uk.

The archive at the Newsroom acquires records of the Guardian, the Observer and Guardian Umlimited, as well as individuals and organisations that have made significant impact on the histories or values of the newspapers e.g. former employees/writers. General information on the collections that have been catalogued and are available for research is available at Archives - summary of holdings. You can also search our online catalogue.

A brief history of the Guardian
Guardian interactive timeline
Guardian text timeline