Orange Prize archive given to Kingston University

The archive of the Orange Prize for Fiction has been acquired by Kingston University to further research into women's literature.

Material spanning the 20 years since the prestigious literary award was first conceived to the modern day and information on the educational, lifelong learning and literacy projects it funds are included in the collection.

Alison Baverstock, a senior lecturer in publishing at Kingston University, highlighted the significance of the archive to researchers, journalists and authors, commenting: 'At a time when so many resources can be accessed online, the importance of being able to study firsthand, specific content is invaluable.'

Literary agent Jane Gregory, co-founder of the Orange Prize, added that the collection allows the rise in popularity of women's literature, which has been especially prominent over the last 15 years, to be charted.

Last month, it was confirmed that historian, author and presenter Bettany Hughes will chair the 2011 Orange Prize, while actress and writer Helen Lederer, journalist and broadcaster Susanna Reid and novelist Tracy Chevalier are among those on its judging panel.