A TREASURE trove of books about illustrious Keighley historian and Enigma codebreaker Asa Briggs has come to light.

The Historical Association has presented books about the late teacher, writer and researcher to Keighley Local Studies Library.

Prof Briggs was one of Keighley’s foremost citizens, who became a well-known and remarkable historian who inspired others through his research, teaching and writing.

Born in Emily Street in Keighley in 1921, he was educated at Keighley Boys Grammar School before going on to study at Cambridge.

His father was an engineer in a local mill.

During the Second World War, Asa Briggs served in the Intelligence Corps and worked in the section deciphering Enigma messages from the German Army and Luftwaffe.

After the war, he followed an academic career at Worcester College Oxford, Leeds and Sussex Universities.

Throughout his life. Asa remained a staunch Yorkshireman. He was created life peer as Baron Briggs in 1976. In 1987 he was President of the Bronte Society.

Asa died in March 2016 aged 94.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “At Keighley Library, the young Asa developed his skills to become such an influential social historian.

"In his book Special Relationships he traces his love of history back to his days in Keighley.

“He said of Keighley Library ‘It was there that I first studied the politics that I was to introduce into my own version of social history.’

“It is fitting that these books will be added to the archives and made available for the benefit of future researchers and historians.”

The Local Studies Library, which is upstairs in the Keighley Library building on North Street, is for the next three weeks showing a display of books and local information about Asa Briggs.

The books were presented recently by Professor Tony Badger, President of the Historical Association, to Maggie Pedley, the council’s Head of Libraries, Museums and galleries.

Also present at the event were Dr Trevor James, Editor of The Historian journal, and historian Philip Johnston.

The books donated to the museum were based on the special spring edition of The Historian’ journal of the Historical Association, which celebrated the life of the late Professor Briggs.

Dr James, of the Historical Association, said that when Professor Asa Briggs died in 2016 the association lost a very dear and loyal friend.

He said: “The decision was made to publish a special edition of the Historical Association journal, The Historian, to celebrate the life of Lord Briggs.

“The intention was to focus on his work and achievements as an historian, in the widest possible sense of being someone who shaped the discipline as well as inspiring others through his research, teaching and writing.

“It is clear that his influence was enormous and highly valued.

“It is fitting that these books will be added to the archives and made available for the benefit of future researchers and historians.”