The collection contains the papers of William John Burchell (1781-1865), artist, naturalist and traveller. With the exception of few original manuscripts and notebooks, most items consist of transcriptions made by Mrs H.M. McKay.

Correspondence, some originals and some Ms transcripts by H.M. McKay, of early letters 1795-1805, letters from St. Helena 1806-1810, letters from South Africa 1811-1815 and letters between Burchell and his family, friends and scientific colleagues 1824-1865, Names of correspondents include H. Alexander, Earl Bathurst, Earl of Caledon, Sir W.J. Hooker, W. Goddard Jackson, H. Nourse, J. Phillips, Marquess of Salisbury, Lord C.H. Somerset, Sir A. Stockenstroom, W. Swainson, D. Turner and J.O. Westwood.

An Ms transcript of the St. Helena Journal, Ts transcript of unpublished journal May-Sep. 1812 and a Hg journal Jan.-Mar.21, 1863; transcript of annotations in Burchell's own copy of his Travels; Hg poem 'Address to "Lot", rock in the Island of St. Helena'; financial records and copies of family wills; catalogues of the books and pictures in the Burchell estate and other miscellaneous papers.

Also included is the sorted material of research and publications, collected and submitted by H.M. McKay. The material is relating to her extensive study of W.J. Burchell.

16 Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings.

Official of the East India Company, passenger on board the 'Grosvenor', wrecked off the Pondoland coast 4 August 1782

ALS, 9 Apr. 1782, from W. Hosea to Sir R. Chambers (Judge of the Supreme Court of Bengal), written on board the 'Grosvenor', off the coast of Ceylon, and probably posted in Trincomalee, describing the harrowing experiences of Mr. and Mrs. Hosea in their efforts to reach the 'Grosvenor' at Madras, which was besieged by the French, and the subsequent perilous voyage. This letter is quoted in The true story of the Grosvenor East Indiaman by P.R. Kirby, published Cape Town, Oxford University Press, 1960. Also Ts transcript and negative of letter and Ds, 7 Apr. 1784, Calcutta, proving Mr. Hosea's will.

66 notebooks containing his diary from 1888-1959. While primarily a record of personal and family events, the diaries include references to political and social events of the day. Also 10 photograph albums of tours by Hills 1936-1956 to various parts of the world; correspondence with family, friends and others on his journalistic career and on subjects such as religion, education and the labour movement. Correspondents include Bishop G. Clayton, J. Keir Hardie, Sir R. Jones, Bishop A.B.L. Karney, Sir E. Oppenheimer and L. Weinthal.

Also personal documents, printed items and notebooks.

Afrikaans language pioneer

'Sannie Beyers', poem in the handwriting of F.W. Reitz.

Legal journalist

Contains press clippings from local newspapers reporting cases tried in the Eastern Districts court and the Supreme Court.

Writer and economist

'The principles of railway rate-fixing with special reference to South African railways'. c1950.

44 letters and extracts of letters, 1877, inserted into a letter-book, (containing a book-plate of W.F. Littleton and annotations in his own hand) from W.F. Littleton. to his family in England.

87 loose letters & 1 incomplete scrap, 1878-1880 from W.F. Littleton to his family, mainly his mother.

1 letter 1879 April 26, from H. Hallam Parr, Pretoria, to Lady Hatherton, (mother of W.F. Littleton), relating to Sir. B. Frere and his own wish to rejoin his regiment.

1 letter 1879 May 27, from Miss Catherine Frances Frere, daughter of Sir Bartle Frere, Cape Town, to Lady Hatherton, enclosing a telegraph to say that W.F. Littleton was at Bloemfontein.

1 extract of letter 1879 September 25, from Geo. Slade, Junr. United Services Club, to Lady Frere, describing a visit of condolence to the Empress of France, on the death of the Prince Imperial in Zululand.

1 letter 1888 May 28, from B. Frere, son of Sir Bartle, Myinsyan, Upper Burmah, to W.F. Littleton, condoling with him on the death of his father.

W.F. Littleton's letters to his family give a detailed account of political life in South Africa because he accompanied Sir B. Frere to South Africa as Private Secretary and remained with Sir Bartle from 1877-1880 while he was Governor of the Cape, until he was recalled in 1880. These were eventful years and there are interesting comments on the Kaffir War, the annexation of the Transvaal, the Zulu War, the annexation of Griqualand West, the native question and the possibility of Confederation in Southern Africa.

As well as being of considerable political importance, the letters give an interesting account of social life in South Africa. There is an excellent description of a ball given at Government House in honour of the Queen's Birthday. His comments are amusing, and sometimes vitriolic, on notabilities such as President T. Burgers, Bishop Colenso, Cetewayo, General Cunnynghame, Sir B. Frere, J.X. Merriman, J.C. Molteno, Sir T. Shepstone, Saul Solomon and Dr J. Stewart of Lovedale.

London Missionary Society Missionary

'A grammar and vocabulary of the Hinzuan language'. Written during a residence on the island 'Joana' in the years 1821 and 1822.

The original Ms is in the Grey collection, South African Library.

Includes a letter from Oswell, 30 Jan. 1852, Beaufort, to 'Dear Sir', accompanying a map of a journey made with Livingstone. Also 3 letters 1852-1869 from Livingstone to Oswell, relating to his explorations in Africa.