ONLINE FINDING AIDS

Gale Primary Sources - Media Guide
In the Collection List, select League of Nations Documents and Serial Publications, 1919-1946. To search for a particular document, it is best to download the reel or author index before entering your search terms.

Research guide from the League of Nations and United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Archives

Searchable archive from the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

RELATED LINKS

United Nations Library and Archives from the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

The LONSEA database, created by historians at Heidelberg University, illustrates the networking activities of the various connections of international organisations. It is based on source material collected by the League of Nations.

The Internet Archive has digitised articles and other historical items from the world’s libraries.

League of Nations publications are still of interest to researchers and students, as a primary source for history of the period, e.g. for international economic developments of the period 1920-1945.

Australia was a member of the League and held two mandates (for trust territories of Nauru and New Guinea) under the League.

What does the library hold?

The Library’s collection of League of Nations publications includes:

  • official papers that were distributed to members of the League
  • sales publications that were of interest to the public
  • archival records of individuals, institutions, and governments e.g. the personnel files of League employees

Because it was a member of the League, Australia received two sets of the League’s publications. The National Library has more than one set of some of the serial titles and two sets of the Documents, which are reports presented to the Council or Assembly. The two sets are separately filed by sales number and Assembly or Council documents number (the official number). Use the following finding aids to locate them:

  • official number
  • sales number
  • Assembly or Council document (e.g. Suplement number of the Official Journal)

Print finding aids

Series and Serial Publications in the National Library’s collections

Portrait of Stanley Melbourne Bruce

Portrait of Stanley Melbourne Bruce [picture]
Australian Department of Information

Stanley Melbourne Bruce (1883-1967) represented Australia at the League of Nations from 1932 to 1939, with a seat on the Council from 1933 to 1936. He was President of the League of Nations Council in 1936.

More information about Bruce and the League of Nations is found at Australia's PMs from the National Archives of Australia.

Search Trove newspapers for contemporary reports such as The First Time Australian President: The League Council from the Launceston Examiner, 20 February, 1936

The National Library of Australia holds several manuscript items for Bruce however not all are relevant to the League of Nations. They include newspaper clippings and a circular, 1921-1939

Not sure where to start?