Odds and Quads

The "Beveridge Report" (officially the Social Insurance and Allied Services report), which laid the basis for the post-war welfare state, was published 70 years ago this week. This is said to be the death mask of its famous author, Sir William Beveridge.

It now forms part of the collection held at the London School of Economics, where Sir William (1879-1963) was director from 1919 to 1937.

About 500 boxes contain family papers dating back to 1774; diaries, ration books and identity cards; maps and instructions for a game, Naval Tipperary, that he invented in 1914; photographs of a swimming pool he designed and of a post-war visit to Germany; a draft of his report and even papers about it found in Hitler's bunker.

In a welcome address to students, Sir William promised that the life of the LSE had "always been a life of adventure". A small exhibition to mark the anniversary is being held in the atrium.

Send suggestions for this series on the treasures, oddities and curiosities owned by universities across the world to matthew.reisz@tsleducation.com.