Edward Smyth Pigott Papers, 1845-1925

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Summary

Creators:
Pigott, Edward Smyth, 1824-1895.
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of English journalist Edward Frederick Smyth Pigott (1824-1895), chiefly consisting of personal and professional correspondence both from his work as a journalist and as the Examiner of Plays (a position he held from 1874-1895). Notable correspondents include Wilkie Collins, Francis George Seymour (Marquess of Hertford), Richard Monckton Milnes (Baron Houghton), Henry Du Pré Labouchere, Theodore Martin, John Everett Millais, Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane, Goldwin Smith, and Edmund Hodgson Yates.
Extent:
446 pieces in 8 boxes.
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers consist of the following series:

1. Correspondence, Manuscripts & Documents (Boxes 1-8) are arranged alphabetically by author and title. This series includes a small number of manuscripts and documents; the majority of the collection consists of Pigott’s personal and professional correspondence, both from his work as a journalist and as the Examiner of Plays. The majority of the correspondence is addressed to Pigott but there is also a significant group of letters addressed to his nephew, Henry Drummond Smyth Pigott. Notable correspondents include Wilkie Collins, Francis George Seymour (Marquess of Hertford), Richard Monckton Milnes (Baron Houghton), Henry Du Pré Labouchere, Theodore Martin, John Everett Millais, Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane, Goldwin Smith, and Edmund Hodgson Yates.

The personal letters include discussions of the leading topics, politicians, and “celebrities” of the day; the professional letters mainly deal with stories to be published in Pigott’s newspapers and the workings and people of the Victorian theatre, including letters about plays which, for some reason, were not accepted for performance.

In 1873, Edward Pigott was put forward as a candidate for the position of Secretary for the Royal Academy; ultimately, he was not elected to the position but there are a large number of testimonial letters by people in the art, academic and political fields, supporting Pigott’s candidacy.

2. Photographs (Box 8) are arranged alphabetically by subject. These include both cabinet card and cartes de visite photographs of Wilkie Collins, Henry Du Pré Labouchere, Edward Smyth Pigott, and Henry Drummond Smyth Pigott; there are also printed pictures of Collins and John Tulloch.

3. Ephemera (Box 8) is arranged by subject, then alphabetically by author and title. This series includes printed and autograph material related to Ernest E. Baker, Wilkie Collins, Edward Smyth Pigott, William Tinsley, and Edmund Hodgson Yates.

Biographical / historical:

Edward Frederick Smyth Pigott (1824-1895), was a member of the Pigott family, long settled in north Somerset, England. He was a fellow student with Wilkie Collins at Lincoln’s Inn, then a journalist with The Daily News and The Leader. in 1874, Pigott was appointed to the position of Deputy Licensership of Plays in the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, a position he held until his death in 1895. Pigott never married, but in the 1850s, his nephew Henry Drummond Smyth Pigott, resided with him and, it appears, assisted his uncle with his correspondence and work.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Sotheby's, Lots 404 420, July 19-20, 1971.
Processing information:

1. The collection was semi-cataloged in the 1970s, but it was decided to recatalog the collection using new folders and boxes; the collection has now been single-item cataloged with the “PIG” prefix. The old blue folders were discarded and new buff folders were used; all of the names have been cataloged using current standard authorized forms.

2. Because many of the letters were addressed to “Pigott,” it was not always clear, especially with undated letters, if the letter was addressed to Edward Smyth Pigott or his nephew, Henry Drummond Smyth Pigott. The content of the letter was used as a basis for determining the addressee and the name of the addressee was placed in brackets.

Arrangement:

Organized in the following manner:

  • 1. Correspondence, Manuscripts & Documents (Boxes 1-8)
  • 2. Photographs (Box 8)
  • 3. Ephemera (Box 8)
Items arranged alphabetically within series.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

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

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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