Gaster Papers Correspondence and papers of Dr Moses Gaster, his family, and the family of his wife Lucy (née Friedlander), 1796-1973, dating largely from the 1870s to the 1930s, also including some material on Gaster's life and work which post-dates his death. Many papers relate to Gaster's activities in his official posts, notably as Haham, to his interests in Jewish affairs and Zionism, and as a scholar, but the collection touches upon a wide range of topics in late 19th and early 20th century history, including the history of Romanian Jewry and Anglo-Jewry. The bulk of the collection comprises Gaster's correspondence, which includes letters from Jewish and Zionist organisations in Britain, Europe and Jerusalem, from newpapers, periodicals and publishers, and from a large number of individuals outside Gaster's family, including eminent British, European and American Jewish scholars, rabbis and public figures, such as members of the Adler, Gollancz, Mocatta, Montefiore and Rothschild families, and with non-Jewish public figures, but it also includes a wide range of other material. The Correspondence series (GASTER/9) covers letters to Gaster from individuals and organisations; copies of his outgoing correspondence in the form of loose items and copy-books; letters to and from his family including extended family in Romania; and a small amount of material described as "strangers to strangers", which are probably enclosures that have become separated from other letters. A series of bound volumes (GASTER/5) contains press cuttings and other items, largely printed, including circulars and pamphlets, with some letters received and written by Gaster, and relating to various subjects, although much of the material was apparently bound haphazardly; the contents, overall dating largely from 1879-1939 but with items of 1796, 1838-1849, and 1867, include persecution of Jews in Romania and elsewhere; emigration; Anglo-Jewish matters and the Anglo-Jewish Association; hospitals and schools; lectures, weddings, and other functions; the Board of Deputies of British Jews; Shechita; the Slaughter Bill, 1911; the Spanish-Portuguese congregation, including Bevis Marks Synagogue and Gaster's 25th anniversary as Haham, 1912; Independent Order of B'nai B'rith; letters congratulating Gaster on his engagement, marriage and birth of his children, and on the 'Gaster Anniversary Volume' ; Zionism, including the Jewish Colonial Trust, and Zionist Congresses in 1905, 1907 and 1913; Palestine; the Royal Asiatic Society; the Folklore Society. Printed ephemera (GASTER/1), dating from the 1870s to the 1930s, includes invitations to lectures, weddings and other events; visiting and greeting cards and condolences. Papers of 1890-1896, on the Ramsgate affair (GASTER/4) relate to Gaster's association with the Judith Lady Montefiore College, the controversy over his management, and events leading up to his departure in 1896. Papers relating to Zionism (GASTER/3/C) include copies of letters between Gaster and Theodor Herzl at the turn of the 20th century and other Zionist correspondence and papers leading up to the Balfour Declaration of 1917. Printed material and press cuttings (GASTER/8) contains material relating to the Anglo-Jewish Association, conferences, various national and international organisations, Gaster's life and works, and posters for various events. Working papers (GASTER/6) include notebooks, many undated, relating to Gaster's studies (from the 1870s) and later research; typescript and some manuscript reviews, sermons, letters to the press, obituary articles or notices, speeches and articles by Gaster; loose press cuttings of Gaster's reviews and articles, and cuttings on Gaster himself and his areas of interest; reproductions of texts and manuscripts and working notes by Gaster on his scholarly research. 1794-1981