Overview
Correspondence and other papers relating to Henry Thrale (a friend of Samuel Johnson) and his daughters.
Dates
- Creation: 1708-1844
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1780-1819
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
Conditions Governing Use
Images linked to this finding aid are intended for public access and educational use. This material is owned and/or held by the Houghton Library, and is provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. Any other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires the permission of the curator.
Extent
.4 linear feet (1 box)This collection includes papers relating to Henry Thrale and his family history, and letters written by three of his daughters: Hester, Susanna, and Cecilia. Perhaps the most significant is a letter from Hester to Samuel Johnson dated 1783 July 24, item (1).
Biographical / Historical
Henry Thrale (1728-1781) was the son of London brewer Ralph Thrale (1698-1758), and assumed control of his father's large business in 1758 . He married Hester Lynch Salusbury in 1763. Only four of their twelve children survived to adulthood: Hester Maria Elphinstone, Viscountess Keith (1762-1857); Susanna Arabella Thrale (1770-1858); Sophia Thrale Hoare (1771-1824); and Cecilia Thrale Mostyn (1777-1857). The Thrales divided their time between two London residences: at the brewery compound in Southwark, and at a larger country house at Streatham Park. After the Thrales were introduced to Samuel Johnson in 1765, Streatham Park became the center of an important coterie of literary, artistic, and political figures. Thrale also served in Parliament from 1765 to 1780.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by name.
Physical Location
b (shelved with MS Hyde 79)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
2003JM-59. Bequest of Mary Hyde Eccles, Four Oaks Farm, Somerville, New Jersey; received: 2004.
Processing Information
Processed by: Rick Stattler
- Title
- Thrale family. Thrale family papers, 1708-1844: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou01750
Repository Details
Part of the Houghton Library Repository
Houghton Library is Harvard College's principal repository for rare books and manuscripts, archives, and more. Houghton Library's collections represent the scope of human experience from ancient Egypt to twenty-first century Cambridge. With strengths primarily in North American and European history, literature, and culture, collections range in media from printed books and handwritten manuscripts to maps, drawings and paintings, prints, posters, photographs, film and audio recordings, and digital media, as well as costumes, theater props, and a wide range of other objects. Houghton Library has historically focused on collecting the written record of European and Eurocentric North American culture, yet it holds a large and diverse number of primary sources valuable for research on the languages, culture and history of indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
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