Correspondence of George Combe., 1804-1858, undated.
Scope and Contents
MSS.7201-7375 is a large group of original letters sent to George Combe. They show the trends which Combe's career took. The first few years are occupied with chiefly family and legal matters, including frequent correspondence from his brother, Dr Andrew Combe, who was also a fervent worker in the cause of phrenology. From 1820, the letters are from figures prominent in the struggle either to reject or to accept its truth. After 1845, writers include men outstanding in the field of education, both in America and Britain, seeking Combe’s views and advice.
MSS.7376-7398 are drafts and copies of letters written by Combe, now arranged in three divisions: drafts of letters, letter-books, and letter copy books, which were used when Combe was absent from home.
The letter-books contain a large proportion, but by no means all, of his replies to the letters in the first section (MSS.7201-7375).
Dates
- Creation: 1804-1858, undated.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
99 Volumes
Language of Materials
From the Fonds: Undetermined
Arrangement
MSS.7201-7375 and 7376-7398 form two series of letters, ‘Letters to Combe’ and ‘Letters of Combe’, but because of the way many of the manuscripts have been bound this distinction could not be represented exactly in the hierarchy of the descriptions. Instead the two series are shown in one sequence.
Genre / Form
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk