George M. Eckels Collection of Oliver Cromwell

In 1916, Mrs. George M. Eckels presented to the University of Chicago a collection of books and other materials relating to Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) and his times that had been brought together by her late husband, Chicago lawyer George Morris Eckels. The collection, consisting of over 500 books, pamphlets, engravings and other materials, was considered to be the most complete at that time for the study of this turbulent period in British history.

In her letter to University President Harry Pratt Judson, Mrs. Eckels explained that "While Mr. Eckels had no official connection with the University, he followed its development with enthusiastic interest, and I feel that placing this material at the disposal of students of the University engaged in broad and thorough research is an expression, in concrete form, of that interest, and the best of memorials to him."

The Eckels Collection provides contemporary and later perspectives on the political, military and religious issues surrounding the Civil Wars that consumed England, Scotland and Ireland between 1640 and 1660. Royalists, Parliamentarians and Cromwellians are represented here in tracts, decrees of Parliament, histories, biographies and reminiscences of Cromwell, his associates and adversaries.

The abundance of writings focusing on Cromwell's rapid rise to power and tenure as Lord Protector (1653-58); the trial and execution of King Charles I (1600-1649); and the royalist sentiment that surged following publication of Eikon Basilike (1649), the meditations of Charles's last months, suggests that these events will continue to be reinterpreted by writers seeking to understand their impact on British history and national identity.

For further information on the George M. Eckels Collection of Oliver Cromwell, please contact:

Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 E. 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637
SpecialCollections@lib.uchicago.edu.

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