Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1795 - 1865 (Accumulation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
142 items
Context area
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The Burchell papers were most likely deposited by H.M. McKay, who received them from N.G. Jackson, Duddington, England, grandson of Harriet, William Burchell's sister, who married W. Goddard Jackson.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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An Ms transcript of the St. Helena Journal, Ts transcript of unpublished journal May-Sep. 1812 and a Hg journal Jan.-Mar.21, 1863; transcript of annotations in Burchell's own copy of his Travels; Hg poem 'Address to "Lot", rock in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.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The 16 boxes of sorted material of research and publications, collected and submitted by H.M. McKay forms the second part of this collection.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
There is an informal inventory of the16 boxes relating to H.M. McKay, which can be downloaded in PDF format - see item 6.
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Originals of some of the papers are in the Hope Department, Oxford University Museum.
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Alternate title: Burchell, William John