Letters and other manuscript items representing a wide range of prominent figures in nineteenth century British literature, theater, and art, as well as nineteenth and early twentieth century socialism, reform politics, and medicine. About two thirds of the correspondence was received by Blanchard Jerrold and by Adolphe and Alice Smith; letters to other recipients include several to Mrs. and Miss de Fonblanque.
Some letters in Series III may also be to Adolphe or Alice Smith, but were filed in that series because the recipient could not be conclusively identified.