The papers consist mainly of the private and semi-official correspondence of the first Earl Granville, and of his son the second earl. There are in addition some documents belonging to the first earl's father (the second Earl Gower and first Marquis of Stafford, president of the council 1767-1779 and 1783-4) and mother, and to the second earl's first wife, besides a few belonging to the first earl's grandfather (the second Lord and first Earl Gower) and others attributable to the latter's predecessors.

The bulk of the first Earl Granville's papers relate to his embassy to the courts of Russia (1804-1807) and of France (1824-1841). The papers of the second earl include much correspondence with the Queen and the Cabinet, reflecting his various offices as Foreign Secretary, Lord President of the Council and Colonial Secretary, an extensive series of private correspondence with British representatives abroad and with foreign representatives accredited to the court of St James, and many volumes of Foreign Office Confidential Print.

Also includes a few papers dated 1783-1784 relating to the Company of Merchants Trading to Africa (PRO 30/29/3/8)