Stowe Papers
Finding aid created by Manuscripts Department staff using RecordEXPRESS
Huntington Library. Manuscripts Department
2014
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
(626) 405-2100
publicinformation@huntington.org
http://www.huntington.org/WebAssets/Templates/content.aspx?id=598
Title: Stowe Papers
Dates: 1175-1919
Collection Number: mssST
Creator/Collector:
Stowe House (Buckinghamshire, England)
Extent: Approximately 350,000 pieces.
Repository:
Huntington Library. Manuscripts Department
San Marino, California 91108
Abstract: The collection consists of the papers of the Grenville, Temple, Nugent, and Brydges families.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open to all qualified readers.
Stowe Papers. Huntington Library. Manuscripts Department
Purchased from Frank Marcham and Museum Bookstore (London), 1925. The collection was sold in 1921 by Baroness Kinloss.
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Great Britain -- History -- Sources.
Great Britain -- History -- Sources
Stowe (Buckinghamshire, England) -- History -- Sources
Family papers -- Great Britain
Manorial records -- Great Britain
Estate records -- Great Britain