Alport of Colchester, Cuthbert James McCall, Baron, 1912-

This collection comprises the political, personal and family papers of Lord Alport of Colchester, (b.1912-d.1998), MP, minister, diplomat and peer. Cuthbert Alport's career can be summarized in brief as follows: educated at Haileybury School and Cambridge; elected Conservative M.P. for the Colchester division of Essex, 1950-61; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Commonwealth Relations Office, 1957-1959; Minister of State, Commonwealth Relations Office, 1959-1961; British High Commissioner in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, 1961-63. In 1967 Alport was appointed British Government Representative to Rhodesia and in this position he played an important role in attempting to solve the crisis resulting from Ian Smith's proclamation of Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence in November 1965.

In his later life, Alport continued his political life as a peer in the House of Lords. His various roles included: Deputy Speaker, House of Lords, 1971-82, 1983-94; Adviser to the Home Secretary, 1974-82.

In addition to his parliamentary career, Alport was involved in local civic politics, High Steward of Colchester, 1967-.

The papers in the collection cover all aspects of Alport's life, and as such provide a useful insight into the politics of post-imperial Central and Southern Africa and into the post-war Conservative party, especially the 'One-Nation' group of Tory MPs which he helped to found.

From the guide to the The Alport Papers, 1912-1995, (University of Essex: Albert Sloman Library)