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- 1891-1970 (Creation)
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This series includes newsletters, magazines and books published by the Regent Street Polytechnic and intended for both an internal and external audience.
The Polytechnic Magazine was the in-house magazine of the Regent Street Polytechnic. Published weekly, fortnightly and then monthly, it forms a wide-ranging record of a unique institution at the heart of London. Quintin Hogg began the magazine in 1879 when his Young Men’s Christian Institute was based in Covent Garden. Initially called Home News, and then Home Tidings from issue 2, in February 1888 it was renamed the Polytechnic Magazine.
Regular subjects included are personal news of members (births, marriages, deaths and emigrations), sports and social clubs reports, commentaries on London events and current affairs, news of the Polytechnic women’s activities and the Old Quintinians, reports from Polytechnic Touring Association holidays, examination results and prizes. There are also advertisements (commercial and small ads), religious articles, lists of library stock, and general letters to the editor. During World War One the Magazine took on an important role by enabling members to contact and keep track of one another, as well as coordinating relief efforts and generally boosting morale. The wartime issues include lists of men who have enrolled, photographs of those who were killed and reports from the Front.
The Magazine has been digitised from 1879-1960 and can be searched online at https://polymags.westminster.ac.uk