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Letters, undated, of Sir Walter Scott and his family and of John Gibson Lockhart, with several anonymous letters, verses and other fragments addressed to or collected by Scott's mother., [1758-1854.]

 File
Identifier: MS.1558

Scope and Contents

From the Sub-Series:

Until about 1802, most of the letters are addressed to Sir Walter Scott's mother by her kinsfolk and friends, including her sons John, Robert, and Thomas. Thomas’ letters to her continue until 1819. Letters dealing with Thomas Scott's management of Lord Abercorn's estate are frequent from 1804 to 1807.

The correspondence of Sir Walter Scott and Miss Carpenter, afterwards his wife, of 1797 (MS.1549, folios 158-159, 161-182, 185-226), 1807 (MS.1550, folios 164-189), 1814, and 1815 (MS.1551, folios 163-176, 181-194, 201-202), was found in a secret drawer in Sir Walter's desk in the study at Abbotsford in 1935 and purchased in the same year. It comprises 57 letters of Scott and his wife to each other (two being photographs of originals retained at Abbotsford), one of Lord Downshire, and one of Scott’s mother (MS.1549, folios 175, 187). See 'The Scotsman', 16 and 18 March, 1935.

The years from 1820 to 1837 are largely filled by the correspondence of John Gibson Lockhart and his wife, with many letters of Anne, Charles, and the second Sir Walter Scott, down to the years of their respective deaths. From 1840 most of the letters are written by Lockhart to his daughter Charlotte.

MS.1558 contains undated letters, arranged alphabetically by writers’ names, with a list of contents at the beginning. At the end are several anonymous letters, verses, and other fragments addressed to or collected by Scott’s mother.

Dates

  • Creation: [1758-1854.]

Conditions Governing Access

Normal access conditions apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.

Extent

208 Leaves

Language of Materials

From the Series: Undetermined

Arrangement

i + 207 folios.

The letters are arranged alphabetically by writers' names, with anonymous papers at the end.

Other Finding Aids

Contains a contents list at the beginning.

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

Contact:
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700