Scope and Contents
The Robert Marsham-Townshend Papers consist of letters and diaries containing descriptions of Robert Marsham-Townshend's travels around the world. The collection is arranged into three series: Correspondence , Diaries , and Other Papers , and spans the dates 1853-1910.
Many of the letters are written to him, though there is a group of 22 letters written by him to a relative identified only as Harriet, dated 1856-1864. Correspondents include Henry Alabaster, interpreter to the King in Siam; scientists W. S. Atkinson and Robert Stirling; George Ferguson Bowen, first governor of Queensland, Australia; in addition to numerous family members and other acquaintances. Stirling writes at length from the Sandwich Islands describing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, a particular interest of Marsham-Townshend's. There are also fifteen letters from Youhannah El Karey, a missionary from Nablous, near Jaffa, Palestine.
The 18 diaries span the dates 1853-1876, and carry descriptions of travel to Brazil, Egypt, Hong Kong, the Philippines, China, Japan, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, California, Australia, Indonesia, Siam (Thailand), India, Persia (Iran), the Mideast, South Africa, Russia, and Europe. There is a great deal of geographic and volcanic observation, as well as descriptions of cities, cultures, and peoples encountered.
The papers are accompanied by a bound notebook with notes on volcanoes throughout the world, two passports for Marsham-Townshend to use in Persia, and three contracts and receipts for hiring mules and drivers in Persia.
Many of the letters are written to him, though there is a group of 22 letters written by him to a relative identified only as Harriet, dated 1856-1864. Correspondents include Henry Alabaster, interpreter to the King in Siam; scientists W. S. Atkinson and Robert Stirling; George Ferguson Bowen, first governor of Queensland, Australia; in addition to numerous family members and other acquaintances. Stirling writes at length from the Sandwich Islands describing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, a particular interest of Marsham-Townshend's. There are also fifteen letters from Youhannah El Karey, a missionary from Nablous, near Jaffa, Palestine.
The 18 diaries span the dates 1853-1876, and carry descriptions of travel to Brazil, Egypt, Hong Kong, the Philippines, China, Japan, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, California, Australia, Indonesia, Siam (Thailand), India, Persia (Iran), the Mideast, South Africa, Russia, and Europe. There is a great deal of geographic and volcanic observation, as well as descriptions of cities, cultures, and peoples encountered.
The papers are accompanied by a bound notebook with notes on volcanoes throughout the world, two passports for Marsham-Townshend to use in Persia, and three contracts and receipts for hiring mules and drivers in Persia.
Dates
- 1853-1910
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Robert Marsham-Townshend Papers are the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum on the Edwin J. Beinecke Book Fund, 2001.
Extent
1.67 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Overview
Letters and diaries belonging to Robert Marsham-Townshend containing descriptions of his travels around the world. Many of the letters are written to him, though there is a group of 22 letters written by him to a relative named Harriet, dated 1856-1864. Correspondents include Henry Alabaster, interpreter to the King in Siam; scientists W. S. Atkinson and Robert Stirling; George Ferguson Bowen, first governor of Queensland, Australia; in addition to numerous family members and other acquaintances. Stirling writes at length from the Sandwich Islands describing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, a particular interest of Marsham-Townshend's. There are also fifteen letters from Youhannah El Karey, a missionary from Nablous, near Jaffa, Palestine. The 18 diaries span the dates 1853-1876, and carry descriptions of travel to Brazil, Egypt, Hong Kong, the Philippines, China, Japan, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, California, Australia, Indonesia, Siam, India, Persia, the Middle East, South Africa, Russia, and Europe. There is a great deal of geographic and volcanic observation, as well as descriptions of cities, cultures, and peoples encountered. Accompanied by a bound notebook with notes on volcanoes throughout the world, two passports for Marsham-Townshend to use in Persia, and three contracts and receipts for hiring mules and drivers in Persia.
ROBERT MARSHAM-TOWNSHEND (1834-1914)
Robert Marsham, later Robert Marsham-Townshend, British world traveller, was the second son of Charles Marsham, 2nd Earl of Romney. He was a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, worked in the Diplomatic Service from 1855 to 1859, and served as Lieutenant in the Kent Militia Artillery from 1859 to 1869. Marsham married Clara Catherine Paley in 1877.
- Alabaster, Henry, -1884
- Asia -- Description and travel
- Atkinson, W. S. (William Stephen), 1820-1876
- Australia -- Description and travel
- Bowen, George Ferguson, 1821-1899
- Central America -- Description and travel
- Diaries
- Earthquakes -- Hawaii
- El Karey, Youhannah
- Europe -- Description and travel
- Marsham-Townshend, Robert
- Middle East -- Description and travel
- South Africa -- Description and travel
- South America -- Description and travel
- Stirling, Robert
- Volcanoes
- Voyages and travels
- Title
- Guide to the Robert Marsham- Townshend Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- by Diana Smith
- Date
- March 2001
- Description rules
- Beinecke Manuscript Unit Archival Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
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