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Burton (Richard Francis) Library Manuscripts
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mssRBL
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Richard Francis Burton Library Manuscripts Collection
Creator:
Burton, Richard Francis, Sir, 1821-1890.
Identifier/Call Number: mssRBL
Physical Description:
12.86 Linear Feet
(14 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1842-1947
Abstract: This collection consists mainly of
manuscripts, correspondence, drawings, and printed material related to the work of British
explorer and writer Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) and his interests in swords, fencing,
and Middle Eastern poetry and history. The collection contains research material and early
drafts of Burton's The Book of the Sword and To the Gold Coast.
Language of Material: English, also Arabic, French,
German, Italian, Persian, and Spanish.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Richard Francis Burton Library Manuscripts Collection, The
Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Acquired from The Christensen Fund, November 1997.
At the time of Isabel Burton's death in 1896, the main part of Richard Burton's surviving
manuscripts and library were deposited at the Central Library, Kensington; in 1955, the
Royal Borough of Kensington gave the library to the Royal Anthropological Institute for
safe-keeping. In 1986, The Christensen Fund acquired the entire library from the R.A.I., and
deposited it at the Huntington Library, until November 1997, when The Christensen Fund
formally gave the manuscripts and 2,500-volume library to the Huntington Library (Accession
1861).
1. As noted in the acquisition information at the beginning of this finding aid this
material has been owned by Burton, as well as several institutions over the years.
Therefore, the manuscripts contain autograph notes by Burton, as well as autograph
annotations by various catalogers, including pencilled page numbers and the "Kensington
Public Libraries" stamp on many of the pages. The notes by Burton are noted on the folders
and in the finding aid only if substantive.
2. Burton was in the habit of heavily annotating his printed books as well as inserting
all manner of extra material into the books in his library; this material included letters,
clippings, articles and other printed matter. It was decided not to remove any of this
material from the books but include detailed information in the electronic record for each
book. The Burton Library is part of the Rare Books Department; please consult the Huntington
Library Online Catalogue for information about this material and contact the Rare Books
Department for paging information or any questions about this material.
3. A small number of letters were removed from the manuscripts and cataloged in
Correspondence; the original location of these letters were noted on the folders and in the
finding aid.
4. There are references to swords, sword-play and fencing throughout the entire
collection; it was decided that, unless it was a substantive reference, it would not be
noted as a subject on the folders or in the finding aid.
Related Materials in the Huntington Library
- Burke E. Casari Papers (1748-2004), mssHM 78795-78885. Also, Richard F. Burton and African explorers related rare books, pamphlets and reports from the Library of Burke E. Casari are cataloged separately in the Huntington Library Online Catalog.
- Burton, Richard Francis, Sir, 1821-1890. "Last Eruptions in Iceland," A.MS.S., mssHM 79379.
- Sir Richard Francis Burton Papers, (1846-2003, bulk 1846-1939), mssRFB 1-1368. This collection was given to the Huntington as a gift by Edwards H. Metcalf, October 1992
- Burton-Smithers Papers (1884-1892), mssHM 27955, 78887-79014.
Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) was a British explorer, linguist, writer, diplomat and
translator; he explored Africa, the Middle East, South America and Iceland, and translated,
among many other titles,
The Arabian Nights. Burton married
Isabel Arundell (1831-1896), in 1861, and she, thereafter, accompanied Burton on many of his
travels, and became his amanuensis and editor, as well as publishing her own travel volumes
and an autobiography. Burton died of a heart attack on October 19, 1890, and Isabel Burton
died from complications of ovarian cancer on March 22, 1896.
This collection consists mainly of manuscripts, correspondence, drawings, printed material,
and catalogues related to Burton's work and interest with swords, fencing, and his interest
in Middle Eastern poetry and history; the collection contains research material and early
drafts of Burton's The Book of the Sword, Vols. I-III, and To the Gold Coast. The
correspondence includes letters from, among others, Verney Lovett Cameron, Richard S.
Charnock, Chatto and Windus, Dominic E. Colnaghi, Alexander Fergusson, Violet Greville, John
Latham, Augustus H. L. Pitt-Rivers, Bernard Quaritch, William Tinsley, H. Schütz Wilson,
Henry Yule and Hermann Zotenberg.
The papers consist of the following series:
1. Manuscripts - Volumes (Boxes 1-5) are arranged alphabetically by author and title. The
volumes include one manuscript by Burton, and manuscripts by other authors, which reflect
Burton's interest in Iceland and Middle Eastern history and poetry, including the Arabian
Nights.
This series also includes printed material, clippings, catalogues, pamphlets,
illustrations used and annotated by Burton; there is also one folder of Ephemera.
2. Manuscripts - Folders (Boxes 6-10) are arranged alphabetically by author and title.
This series mainly consists of Burton's work on the sword and fencing, including The Book of
the Sword, Infantry Sword Exercise, "Selected System of Fencing" and "The Sentiment of the
Sword…;" it also includes a page from The Highlands of Brazil and an early draft of To the
Gold Coast…: A Personal Narrative. There are a few manuscripts by other authors, mainly
dealing with swords and fencing.
3. Manuscripts - Drawings (Box 11) are arranged by subject. This series is mainly drawings
and illustrations for The Book of the Sword, Vols. I-III, and one illustration for North
Borneo.
4. Correspondence and catalogues (Boxes 12-14) are arranged alphabetically by author. The
majority of the letters are written to Richard Burton and deal with his ongoing work and
interest in swords and fencing; there are a few letters to Isabel Burton. This series
includes letters by, among others, Verney Lovett Cameron, Richard S. Charnock, Chatto and
Windus, Dominic E. Colnaghi, Alexander Fergusson, Violet Greville, John Latham, Augustus H.
L. Pitt-Rivers, Bernard Quaritch, William Tinsley, H. Shütz Wilson, Henry Yule and Hermann
Zotenberg. Also includes one box of catalogues related to Burton's library.
Organized in the following manner: 1. Manuscripts - Volumes (Boxes 1-5); 2. Manuscripts -
Folders (Boxes 6-10); 3. Manuscripts - Drawings (Box 11); 4. Correspondence and catalogues
(Boxes 12-14).
Individual call numbers included in the collection: mssRBL 1-139.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Authors, English -- 19th century
Business letters -- 19th century
Drawings -- 19th century
Ephemera -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- 19th century
Manuscripts -- 19th century
Translations -- 19th century
Burton, Isabel, Lady, 1831-1896
Cameron, Verney Lovett, 1844-1894
Charnock, Richard Stephen, 1820-1904 or 1905
Colnaghi, Dominic E. (Dominic Ellis), Sir, 1834-1908
Fergusson, Alexander, 1830-1892
Greville, Violet, Lady, 1842-1932
Latham, John, -1880
Pitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane-Fox, 1827-1900
Quaritch, Bernard, 1819-1899
Tinsley, William, 1831-1902
Wilson, H. Schütz (Henry Schütz), 1824-1902
Yule, Henry, Sir, 1820-1889
Zotenberg, Hermann, 1836-1894
Chatto and Windus (Firm)