Michael Palin donates Monty Python's archive to British Library

Michael Palin has made his own unique contribution to the cultural riches housed at the British Library, donating more than 50 notebooks "containing original drafts, fledging ideas and personal reflections relating to his Monty Python writing", reports the BBC.

It is a collection that dates back to 1965, four years before the cult comedy first aired. As well as the writer and actor's personal diaries from the period, which are more extensive than his published memoirs, the documents also reveal the pay rates the Python team received from the BBC - Palin got 12 guineas, while co-star Graham Chapman was only paid ten.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Palin said the "doodles, notes and scribbles" could give fans an insight into how the Python team worked.

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He said: "People ask me so often, 'How did you start Monty Python?', 'How do you get into writing?' There's no better way than actually looking at the material, the way we did it, and you can see it all here."

He added he had felt "a bit shy" about putting his notes on display, but said it would mean "future generations will know not to make the same mistakes".

The British Library adopts a slightly different stance, saying the "comedy talent of tomorrow may find inspiration from this collection”.

Palin's "contribution to comedy, film and television over the past 50 years has been enormous", it added, and Monty Python had "an unparalleled influence on British comedy and internationally".

The collection will be available to view in the British Library Reading Rooms from spring 2018.