[Lord Simon [John Allsebrook Simon, 1st Viscount Simon], Liberal Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Chancellor.] Two Typed Letters Signed to the future Sir W. D. Ross, regarding university settlements and the foundation of Barnett House, Oxford.

See the entries on Simon and Ross in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing Ross was a Fellow of Oriel College. Barnett House in Oxford was established in 1914 as a result of an appeal to academic and political figures, mainly through the actions of another Oriel fellow, Sidney Ball (1857-1918). It was named after Canon Barnett, founder of the university settlement Toynbee Hall. Barnett House was intended as a ‘citizens’ house’ - a centre for economic and social enquiry, and between 1957 and 2004, as a department of the university, was a centre for the training of social workers. See G. Smith, E. Peretz and T. Smith, ‘Social enquiry, social reform and social action’ (OUP, 1914). Each of the two items is 1p, 4to. Both in good condition, lightly aged (the first more than the second) and worn. Both folded once. Both are addressed to ‘W. D. Ross, Esq. / Oriel College. / Oxford.’ Each signed ‘John Simon’. ONE (2 May 1911): He cannot make ‘an absolutely binding engnagement’ for a date as far ahead as 27 October, but is ‘putting the suggested engagement down in my diary and if nothing intervenes which makes it impossible’, will be glad ‘to come to speak with Lord Selborne on behalf of University Settlements on that evening’. TWO (14 November 1914): Signed ‘Yrs trly / John Simon’ and with ‘Enclosure’ written by him at top left (no enclosure present). He is sorry for not responding to Simon’s letter of 3 October more promptly. ‘I enclose my cheque for £50, being the donation (not a periodical subscription) which I promised to the fund being raised to start Barnett House. I hope you will get what you need.’