Overview
Manuscripts acquired from the library of George Chalmers, a Scottish-born British colonial administrator, writer, and antiquarian. Some papers are in his hand and are original documents, some are copies of documents, and some are in unidentified hands.
Dates
- Creation: 1760-1825
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material. Collection is open for research.
Extent
.5 linear feet (1 box)Collection is predominantly Chalmers's notes and his manuscript transcriptions of documents. Some materials are in the hand of George Chalmers, but not all. Types of materials included are copies of letters, financial records, reports, lists, as well as original research notes. Documents primarily concern exploration of North America, British relations with her colonies (especially America), trade and mercantilism, plantation life, the American Revolution and British loyalists claims, Irish concerns, and many other topics. Time period covered in these materials is 1507 through 1816, but the manuscript transcripts were probably produced circa 1760-1825.
Biographical / Historical
George Chalmers (1742-1825) was a British historian, civil servant, antiquarian, and author. He was born at Fochabers, Moray, Scotland, educated at the parish school at Fochabers and at King's College Aberdeen. He went on to study law in Edinburgh and moved to Maryland in 1763 to practice law in Baltimore. As a devout loyalist, he returned to London in September of 1775 when revolutionary discontent grew in the American colonies. He was appointed chief clerk of the committee of the Privy Council for trade and foreign plantations. He held this post for 40 years, a position that allowed for abundant leisure time to devote to his studies, writings, and antiquary interests. He devoted his life to writing books about Ireland, affairs of America and the British monarchy. He collected a vast library of books, original manuscripts, notes, and manuscript copies of documents used in his research.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by title of document.
Physical Location
b
Provenance:
George Chalmers never married. When he died in London in 1825, his extensive library was bequeathed to his nephew. Upon the nephew's death in 1841, the library was sold in three parts between September 1841 and November 1842.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
No accession number. Purchased with Donation fund: 1847 Sept. 20.
Papers have been titled Chalmers manuscripts since receipt at repository.
Bibliography
- Messrs. Evans (Firm). Catalogue of the very curious, valuable and extensive library of the late George Chalmers...which will be sold by auction by Messrs.Evans... London: Evans, 1841-1842.
Processing Information
Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt
- Title
- Chalmers, George, 1742-1825, collector. George Chalmers collection of manuscripts, circa 1760-1825: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou01914
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.
Houghton Library’s Reading Room is free and open to all who wish to use the library’s collections.
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