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An Ms transcript of the St. Helena Journal, Ts transcript of unpublished journal May-Sep. 1812 and a Hg journal Jan.-Mar.21, 1863; transcript of annotations in Burchell's own copy of his Travels; Hg poem 'Address to "Lot", rock in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.

Transcribed by H.M. McKay.

1803 February 7.

Letter with note addressed to W.J. Burchell by J. Metritz saying: "I enclose you all I can get out of the several Proclamations relative to the boundaries of the districts, which Iam sorry to say is very imperfectly defined by them" relating to the divisions of the Cape Colony and the Tulbagh district in 1803.

2 items, autograph letter signed, original.

1832 August 8 and August 22.

Two letters by Lord Stuart de Rothesay to W.J. Burchell regarding drawing of Brazil.

Autograph letter signed, original.

1832 August 10.

Draft letter of reply by W.J. Burchell to Lord Stuart de Rothesay regarding his Brazilian scetches.

1862 May 25.

Letter by Jane Burchell (sister) to W.J. Burchell, Fulham.

1863 April 16.

Letter by James Burchell to W. Goddard Jackson, his brother-in-law, with envelope.

Autograph letter signed, original.

1864 October 29.

Letter by Prof J. Phillips to W. Goddard Jackson, with envelope.

2 items, autograph letter signed, original.

1864 October 31.

Letter by Prof J.O. Westwood to Miss Anna Burchell, with envelope.

1864 November 23.

Letter by W. Goddard Jackson to Prof J. Phillips.

1865 March 27.

Letter by W. Goddard Jackson to Miss Anna Burchell with Addendum, being a copy of W.J. Burchell's memorandum about his collections and what should happen to them after his death, dated 15 October 1860, which Goddard Jackson had found in one of Anna Burchell's pocket book, and of which had a copy made and sent to her.

Poem "Address to Lot Rock in Island of St. Helena", with transcript done by Robin Castell, August 2009.

Manuscript, original.

"A Tour in 1832 Anna Burchell with WJ. Burchell"; "A Tour in France and Belgium with Mary Burchell in 1850 with W.J. Burchell".

Manuscript, original.

Remarks written at Dresden (originally in Leipzig), from Sammlung Roemer.

Photocopy.

Register of thermometer, wind v weather, Fulham.

Photocopy.