Benjamin Disraeli Letters mssHM 52621-52662

Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
April 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: Benjamin Disraeli letters
Creator: Disraeli, Benjamin, 1804-1881
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 52621-52662
Physical Description: 2.75 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1834-1882
Abstract: A collection of letters and ephemera of the British statesman and Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

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

Conditions Governing Use

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]. Benjamin Disraeli letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Custodial History

The collection was assembled in the mid-20th century by John A. Penton, uncle of Elizabeth Wade.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Mrs. Elizabeth Wade, December 1987.

Biographical / Historical

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was a British statesman and author. His career stretched over six decades of 19th century English politics and society. In the 1830s he was much concerned with novels and publishing, and with London society; after his election to Parliament in 1837, politics increasingly dominated his career. He married Mary Anne (Evans) Lewis in 1839. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer three times in the 1850s and 1860s; was Prime Minister in 1868 and again 1874-1880; and was created 1st Earl of Beaconsfield in 1876.

Scope and Contents

The collection of 42 items is chiefly letters from Disraeli to his sister and confidante, Sarah Disraeli. The letters deal with the full range of Disraeli's political, literary, personal, and social affairs, including reactions to newspaper attacks on him or on his books, London society gossip, Parliamentary actions, political parties and politicians, etc. Also included is printed ephemera related to Disraeli, including photographs of Hughenden, Buckinghamshire, newspapers clippings, engravings, pamphlets (some critical of his career), and articles.

Processing Information

Processed by Mary Robertson, September 1988. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from legacy in-house summary report.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Authors, English -- 19th century
Politicians -- Great Britain -- Correspondence
Great Britain -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
London (England) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Ephemera -- Great Britain -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- Great Britain -- 19th century
Disraeli, Sarah, 1802-1859

Box 1, Folder 1-42

Correspondence, manuscripts, and documents 1834-1882

Scope and Contents

The box contains correspondence, manuscripts, and documents (mssHM 52621-62662). Some of the letters were removed from an album and are still window-mounted on larger paper.
Box 2, Folder 1-11

Ephemera undated

Scope and Contents

The box contains printed ephemera, photographs, clippings, engravings, and an inventory; there is also loose material and 1 envelope. The box also contains correspondence and receipts regarding the collecting of the material by John A. Penton.