The fund was created in 1952 in memory of Jan Christiaan Smuts, Chancellor, 1948-50. Its income was to be devoted to the advancement of Commonwealth Studies, through the funding of a Professorship, Readership, Memorial Lectureship, Visiting Fellowships and Studentships in his name, the provision of graduate student travel grants and the purchase of books and periodicals for University libraries. For further information see Cambridge University Reporter 5 Feb. 1952, pp.719-21 and 30 July 1952, pp.170-1. Secretarial assistance was originally provided by the General Board. Responsibility was transferred to the Board of Graduate Studies in the 1980s.