Personal political papers, mainly consisting of personal messages received by Whitelaw

The collection is mostly open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Researchers wishing to publish excerpts from the papers must obtain prior permission from the copyright holders and should seek advice from Archives Centre staff.

Whitelaw served as the Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border Division of Cumberland, 1955-83. He was the Chief Opposition Whip, 1964-70, and Lord President of Council and Leader, House of Commons, 1970-2. He was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, 1972-3, and Employment, 1973-4, then Deputy Leader of the Opposition and spokesman on home affairs, 1975-79, and Home Secretary, 1979-83. He was elevated to the House of Lords in 1983, becoming Lord President and Leader of the Lords, 1983-88.

He published "The "Whitelaw memoirs" (1989).