The collection is divided into two main sections - writings and correspondence. The writings are comprised of preliminary jottings and drafts, longhand fair copy of final texts; correspondence with publishers; final printed texts; and reviews and articles mentioning Shackle's works. The papers have been arranged by category (books, articles, reviews, etc.) and chronologically within each section. The correspondence consists mainly of letters to Shackle from other academic economists, from the publishers of his books, and from the editors of journals, with some copies of his replies. Shackle selected and arranged the letters prior to their deposit. They are numbered and listed in eleven chronological series, beginning in 1949 and ending in 1982. There are also a few letters from 1938-1948, and a final series of letters c.1978-1992, deposited by Mrs Shackle and arranged alphabetically by the name of the writer. In addition there is a special collection of books and papers (SB), the 'Sybilline Books', an introductory section of material put together by Shackle; miscellaneous material containing items of biographical interest, articles by other people, etc; notebooks and lecture notes.