Papers comprising manuscripts of books, articles, lectures, research data, diaries, correspondence, press cuttings, photographs, video and audio tape recordings.

The bulk of the collection is formed by Michael Young's correspondence subject files about organisations he was involved in starting up or with existing organisations who collaborated in his ventures. There is also substantial correspondence with individuals, including family, friends, colleagues and financial backers. A full series of articles and lectures is included, most notably a large number of lectures given at Cambridge University, but there is very little material about books. Valuable biographical information is contained in the transcripts, videos and audio tapes of interviews.