Cope-Cornford, Leslie, Journalist, 1867-1927.

The papers consist of letters, 1902 to 1927, received by Cope-Cornford from Rudyard Kipling and others, thanking him for copies of his books, discussing the politics of the day and personal matters. The correspondence with Professor Sir Geoffrey Callender (1875-1946), refers to a scheme to establish a national maritime museum and there are many letters from Callender to Mrs Cope-Cornford, 1928 to 1938. Also present are two volumes of press cuttings of his own work, serving as a portfolio of his journalistic career.

Administrative / biographical background
Cope-Cornford was an architect who turned to writing. His contributions to the National Observer attracted the attention of Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), who was to remain a lifelong friend. In 1905 he went to Berlin to gather material on the Imperial German Navy. He became naval correspondent and leader writer of for the Old Standard and, on its demise, joined the staff of The Morning Post as naval correspondent, becoming second leader writer in 1915. He was a critic of Admiral Fisher's (1841-1920) policies. He wrote many articles for Punch, edited the Memoirs of Admiral Lord Beresford by himself (London, 1914) and wrote a number of books on naval and maritime subjects.