Constitution-Maker: Selected Writings of Sir Ivor Jennings

Sir Ivor Jennings (1903-65), Downing Professor of Law at the University of Cambridge, was one of the twentieth century’s most famous and significant constitutional scholars and the author of numerous well-known texts. Beyond his prestigious roles in Britain, Jennings was also very influential internationally as an advisor on constitutional questions during the 1950s and 1960s. This volume brings together for the first time previously unpublished letters, memoranda, diaries and confidential evaluations of constitutional issues, political elites and critical events in Ceylon, Ethiopia, India, Malta, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Rhodesia, Singapore, South Africa and Sudan. Also included are candid and forthright assessments on Britain’s constitutional influence abroad and Jennings’ direct experience of constitution-making. This collection sheds light not only on Jennings’ work and influence, but also on British ideas about democracy and on institutions across the globe during the climactic era of decolonisation.