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Francis Bacon Library Manuscripts Collection: Finding Aid
mssFBL 1-75  
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Table of contents What's This?
  • Overview of the Collection
  • Access
  • Administrative Information
  • Cataloging Decisions
  • Related Materials in the Huntington Library
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content
  • Arrangement
  • Indexing: Subjects and Added Entries
  • Indexing Terms

    • Overview of the Collection

    Title: Francis Bacon Library Manuscripts Collection
    Dates (inclusive): 1460-1967
    Bulk dates: 1510-1650
    Collection Number: mssFBL 1-75
    Extent: 73 pieces in 6 boxes
    Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department
    1151 Oxford Road
    San Marino, California 91108
    Phone: (626) 405-2191
    Email: reference@huntington.org
    URL: http://www.huntington.org
    Abstract: This collection consists of manuscript materials that formed part of the Francis Bacon Library in Claremont, California, created in 1938 by Walter Conrad Arensberg and his wife Louise Stevens Arensberg. The materials mostly relates to English philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Nathaniel Bacon, Nicholas Bacon, the Bacon family, their work, and the Bacon lands in Essex, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1510-1650.
    Language: English. Significant languages represented other than English: Latin also a small amount of French, German, Italian and Dutch.

    Access

    Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

    Administrative Information

    Publication Rights

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Francis Bacon Library Manuscripts Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Provenance

    Gift of The Bacon Library and Foundation, Claremont, California, November 1995.
    The manuscripts and rare printed books of the Francis Bacon Library in Claremont, California, created in 1938 by Walter Conrad Arensberg and his wife Louise Stevens Arensberg, were donated and transferred to the Huntington Library in November 1995 by the successor Trustees of the Francis Bacon Library and Foundation. The manuscripts consisted of an initial transfer of 71 items (now FBL 1-71) including material acquired at the Phillips (London) sale of June 15, 1995, lot 307 (FBL 50-71); six manuscripts from the Isabelle Brown Collection at the original Bacon Library in Claremont were transferred from the Huntington Rare Books Department in March 1998 (FBL 72-75). Subsequent additions to this collection are made from time to time with the continuing support of the Bacon Foundation.

    Cataloging Decisions

    This collection was acquired and cataloged over many years by first, the Bacon Library, Claremont, and, since 1995, the Huntington Library; thus it has resulted in a collection organized by accretion, with each new acquisition added on in sequence at the end of the collection, rather than interspersed with similar or related materials. As a result, there are several separate series containing similar materials.

    Related Materials in the Huntington Library

    Biographical Note

    Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam and 1st Viscount St. Alban (1561-1626), was the noted English jurist, lawyer, philosopher, scientist, and statesman.

    Scope and Content

    This collection consists of manuscripts, correspondence, documents, deeds, indentures, leases, volumes, and ephemera, mostly related to Francis Bacon, Nathaniel Bacon, Nicholas Bacon, the Bacon family, their work, the Bacon lands in Essex, as well as other miscellaneous items. Important authors and addressees in the collection include Francis Bacon, Nathaniel Bacon, Nicholas Bacon, George Villiers (Duke of Buckingham), Thomas Egerton (Baron Ellesmere), Robert Devereux (Earl of Essex), Richard Watson Gilder, and Helen Keller. Some material in Latin, French, German, Italian, and Dutch.
    The papers consist of the following series:
    1. Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents (Boxes 1-2, 4) are arranged by FBL call number. This series includes manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and volumes, mostly related to Francis Bacon, Nathaniel Bacon, Nicholas Bacon, the Bacon family, their work, the Bacon lands in Essex, as well as other miscellaneous items. Important author and addressees include, Francis Bacon, Nathaniel Bacon, Nicholas Bacon, George Villiers (Duke of Buckingham), Robert Devereux (Earl of Essex), Thomas Egerton (Baron Ellesmere), Richard Watson Gilder, and Helen Keller.
    2. Deeds & Documents (Box 3) are arranged alphabetically by county, then chronologically. This series includes deeds, indentures, leases, feoffments and quitclaims.
    3. Oversize Material (Box 5) is arranged by FBL call number; this box includes FBL 2, 8 & 27.
    4. Ephemera (Box 6) is arranged by subject, and includes printed material, provenance information, photographs, negatives, and material transferred from the Francis Bacon Library Archive, Rare Books Department.

    Arrangement

    Organized in the following manner: 1. Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents (Boxes 1-2, 4); 2. Deeds & Documents (Box 3); 3. Oversize Material (Box 5); 4. Ephemera (Box 6); arranged by FBL call number. Other title: Francis Bacon Foundation - Arensberg Collection.
    Indexing

    Additional Note

    Indexing: Subjects
    • Bacon, Edward, 1548 or 9-1618. In London. St. Mary Axe…, [Deed poll…], (1581, Mar. 10). FBL 32.
    • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626. In [-----]. Memorandum of an indentured agreement…, ([1620, May1]). FBL 8.
    • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626. In Great Britain. Court of the Exchequer. [Receipt for £530…], (1622/23, Feb. 17). FBL 10.
    • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626. In Helen Keller, 1880-1968, letter to Richard Watson Gilder, 1804- 1909, (1909, Feb. 17). FBL 11.
    • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626. In R. W. (Reginald Walter) Gibson, [Young Life of Bacon…], ([1967]). FBL 49.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. In Great Britain. Court of Quarter Sessions…, [Memoranda Book…], (1597-1601). FBL 31.
    • Bacon, Nicholas, Sir, 1509-1579. In [Genealogical roll tracing the descent…], ([ca. 1559-1579]). FBL 26.
    • Booth, William Stone, 1864-1926. Some Acrostic Signatures of Francis Bacon…. In Helen Keller, 1880-1968, letter to Richard Watson Gilder, 1804-1909, (1909, Feb. 17). FBL 11.
    • College of Arms (Great Britain) -- History-- Sources. In Great Britain…, [Debentures for payments…], (1704-1705). FBL 74.
    • Elizabeth I, Queen of England, 1533-1603. In [-----]. [A brief collection of triumphant memorials…], ([ca. 1620]). FBL 17.
    • Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of, 1591-1646. In Legal Commonplace Book, ([ca. 1580-1600?]). FBL 30.
    • Gentry -- England -- Suffolk -- History. In [-----]. [A brief collection of triumphant memorials…], ([ca. 1620]). FBL 17.
    • Great Britain. Assizes (Essex). In Great Britain…, [Legal notes…] & [Order…], (1662). FBL 69-70.
    • Gunpowder Plot, 1605. In [-----]. [A brief collection of triumphant memorials…], ([ca. 1620]). FBL 17.
    • Harvey, William, 1510-1567. In England. College of Arms. [Herald’s Visitation…], (1560- [1561]). FBL 16.
    • Justices of the peace -- England -- History. In Legal Commonplace Book, ([ca. 1580-1600?]). FBL 30.
    • London (England). Mayor’s Court. In Legal Commonplace Book, ([ca. 1580-1600?]). FBL 30.
    • Metcalf, Walter Charles. The Visitations of Suffolk, Exeter, Pollard…, 1882. In England. College of Arms. [Herald’s Visitation…], (1560-[1561]). FBL 16.
    • Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. In Helen Keller, 1880-1968, letter to Richard Watson Gilder, 1804-1909, (1909, Feb. 17). FBL 11.
    • Spanish Armada, 1588. In [-----]. [A brief collection of triumphant memorials…], ([ca. 1620]). FBL 17.
    • Waterhouse, Edward, Sir, 1535-1591. In Legal Commonplace Book, ([ca. 1580-1600?]). FBL 30.

    Additional Note

    Indexing: Added Entries
    • Abbot, George, 1562-1633. Signature on letter from Great Britain. Privy Council to Robert…Earl of Essex, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626. Addressee for George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, 1592-1628, (1621, Nov. 14). FBL 29.
    • Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626. Signature on letter from Great Britain. Privy Council to Robert…Earl of Essex, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. Addressee for Anne Cooke, Lady Bacon, 1528?-1610, (1573, Aug, 6). FBL 3.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. Addressee for John Coke, ([ca. 1604-1622]). FBL 33.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. Addressee for Sir Christopher Heydon, d. 1623, (1608, May 23). FBL 34.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. Addressee for Edward Paston, 1550-1630, ([before 1604]). FBL 35-36.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. Addressee for Sir William Woodhouse, 1570-1639, ([ca. 1604- 1622]). FBL 38.
    • Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622. Addressee for Sir Phillip Woodhouse, d. 1623, (1622, June 25). FBL 39.
    • Bacon, Nicholas, Sir, 1509-1579. Addressee for Sir Henry Woodhouse, 1546-1625, (1570, Feb. 19). FBL 37.
    • Baker, Anthony, Sir, d. 1630. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1619, July 9). FBL 13.
    • Brooke, Fulke Greville, Baron, 1554-1628. Signature on letter from Great Britain. Privy Council to Robert…Earl of Essex, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • Buckhurst, Thomas Sackville, Baron, 1536-1608. Signature on letter from Great Britain…to John Temple…, (1599, Aug. 4). FBL 6.
    • Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke of, 1592-1628. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1617, Sep. 22). FBL 4.
    • Ceasar, Julius, Sir, 1557/58-1636. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1609, July 13). FBL 9.
    • Ceasar, Julius, Sir, 1557/58-1636. Signature on letter from Great Britain. Privy Council to Robert…Earl of Essex, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • Cornwallis, Thomas, 1518 or 19-1604. Addressee for Sir Nicholas Bacon, 1509-1579, (1562, Aug. 21). FBL 67.
    • Edmondes, Thomas, Sir, 1563?-1639. Signature on letter from Great Britain. Privy Council to Robert…Earl of Essex, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • Ellesmere, Thomas Egerton, Baron, 1540?-1617. Signature on letter from Great Britain…to John Temple…, (1599, Aug. 4). FBL 6.
    • Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of, 1591-1646. Addressee for Great Britain. Privy Council, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • Fortescue, John, Sir, 1531?-1607. Signature on document from Thomas Egerton, Baron Ellesmere, 1540?-1617, [Order to Chidiock Wardour…], (1598, Aug. 2). FBL 41.
    • Gilder, Richard Watson, 1804-1909. Addressee for Helen Keller, 1880-1968, (1909, Feb. 17). FBL 11.
    • Halifax, Charles Montagu, Earl of, 1661-1715. Signature on document from Great Britain…, [Debentures for payments…], (1704-1705). FBL 74.
    • Hobby, Thomas Postumus, Sir, 1565 or 6-1641. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1606, Aug. 4). FBL 7.
    • Hunsdon, George Carey, Baron, 1547-1603. Signature on letter from Great Britain…to John Temple…, (1599, Aug. 4). FBL 6.
    • Knollys, Francis, Sir, d. 1643. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1619, July 9). FBL 13.
    • Lister, John, fl. 1678-1694. Jt. author with Christopher Wilkinson…, letter to Sir Richard Standish, (1693, Nov. 16). FBL 71.
    • Lovelace, Richard Lovelace, Baron, 1564-1634. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1619, July 9). FBL 13.
    • Naunton, Robert, Sir, 1563-1635. Signature on letter from Great Britain. Privy Council to Robert…Earl of Essex, (1618, Feb. 11). FBL 27.
    • North, Roger, Baron, 1530-1600. Signature on letter from Great Britain…to John Temple…, (1599, Aug. 4). FBL 6.
    • Nottingham, Charles Howard, Earl of, ca. 1536-1624. Signature on letter from Great Britain…to John Temple…, (1599, Aug. 4). FBL 6.
    • Salisbury, Robert Cecil, Earl of, 1563-1612. Signature on letter from Great Britain…to John Temple…, (1599, Aug. 4). FBL 6.
    • Standish, Richard, Sir. Addressee for Christopher Wilkinson… & John Lister…, (1693, Nov. 16). FBL 71.
    • Sulyard, John, Sir, 1514-1574. Addressee for Sir Nicholas Bacon, 1509-1579, (1562, Aug. 21). FBL 67.
    • Temple, John, 1541 or 2-1603. Addressee for Great Britain. Privy Council, (1599, Aug, 4). FBL 6.
    • Townshend, Roger, ca. 1569-1637. Addressee for Nathaniel Bacon, 1547-1622, (1619, Nov. 24). FBL 5.
    • Vachell, Thomas, Sir. Addressee for Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, (1619, July 9). FBL 13.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.  

    Subjects

    Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626.
    Elizabeth I, Queen of England, 1533-1603.
    Statesmen -- Great Britain -- Correspondence.
    Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603 -- Sources.
    Great Britain -- History -- Stuarts, 1603-1714 -- Sources.

    Forms/Genres

    Business records.
    Coat of arms.
    Commonplace book.
    Deeds.
    Ephemera.
    Indentures.
    Letters (correspondence).
    Manuscripts.

    Additional Contributors

    Bacon, Nathaniel, 1547-1622.
    Bacon, Nicholas, Sir, 1509-1579.
    Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke of, 1592-1628, recipient.
    Egerton, Thomas, Sir, 1540?-1617.
    Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of, 1591-1646, recipient.
    Gilder, Richard Watson, 1804-1909, recipient.
    Keller, Helen, 1880-1968.

    Collection Contents
    Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents
    Deeds & Documents
    Oversize Material
    Ephemera
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