Stowe Papers, 1175-1919

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Summary

Creators:
Stowe House (Buckinghamshire, England) Stowe House (Buckinghamshire, England) Stowe House (Buckinghamshire, England)
Abstract:
Extent:
Approximately 350,000 pieces.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Stowe Papers. Huntington Library, Manuscript Collections

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the papers of the Grenville, Temple, Nugent, and Brydges families. It also includes papers of Charles O'Conor (1764-1828), the Irish Catholic scholar who served at Stowe as chaplain and librarian in 1792-1828. Organized in the following series: 1. Grenville family papers; 2. Temple family papers; 3. Nugent family papers; 4. Brydges family papers; 5. Charles O'Conor papers.

Biographical / historical:

The estate of Stowe in Buckinghamshire was purchased in 1590 by Peter Temple, and remained in possession of the Temple family throughout the seventeenth century. After the death of the childless Richard Temple, Viscount Cobham, the estate was passed, through his sister Hester Temple Grenville, to the Grenvilles who were related to the Nugent and Brydges families. Viscount Cobham and George Grenville, 1st Marquis of Buckingham (1753-1813) replaced the original house built in 1677, by the present magnificent edifice and developed the gardens. Following the bankruptcy of Richard Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, much of the lands and possessions had to be sold in 1847-1848. In 1921 the estate, house and its contents were sold in 1921 by Lady Mary Morgan Grenville, Baroness Kinloss of Stowe. In 1922 the house was acquired by governors of a new boarding school that opened there in the following year.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Frank Marcham and Museum Bookstore (London), 1925. The collection was sold in 1921 by Baroness Kinloss.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to all qualified readers.

Terms of access:

Preferred citation:

Stowe Papers. Huntington Library, Manuscript Collections

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