Francis Bacon Library Manuscripts Collection, 1460-1967, bulk 1510-1650

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Summary

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.
Extent:
73 pieces in 6 boxes
Language:
English. Significant languages represented other than English: Latin also a small amount of French, German, Italian and Dutch.

Background

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.

Biographical / historical:

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

Acquisition information:

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.

Processing information:

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.

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.

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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