These papers cover roughly the years between 1930 and 1971. The collection of two linear feet is comprised of three series. Series I relates to M.P. Shiel, Series II to Redonda, and Series III to Gawsworth

There are four folders for M.P. Shiel, consisting of three photographs, probably given to Gawsworth by Shiel, clippings, and reprints.

There are three folders for Redonda. These contain articles about Redonda, a watercolor of the island made by Gawsworth (who never actually saw it), proclamations and state papers, clippings and reprints about Redonda, among other items.

The remainder of the papers relate to Gawsworth. There are many manuscript poems here, many of them written later in his life and never published. There are over three hundred letters.

A 2009 addendum has added 21 notebooks and several photographs to the collection. These notebooks are mostly from the World War II era and document his experiences in the RAF as well as his literary musings and studies, including a list of authors in North Africa. Though an attempt was made to be thorough not everthing in the notebooks is indexed.