Austen Henry Layard was a British archaeologist and politician. He is perhaps best remembered for his excavations at Nimrud and Nineveh. Layard was keen to publicise his discoveries and worked with John Murray to produce lavish publications about his discoveries. These were popular books and went through many editions.

The papers here concerning Austen Henry Layard offer a detailed insight into the publishing process surrounding his works about his excavations.

The correspondence is largely between Layard, his great friend Elizabeth Eastlake, and various members of the publishing house of John Murray. It covers a wide range of topics including his work, the production of the publications, including the detailed illustrations, and the reaction of the public to the discoveries.

The manuscripts and proofs provide insight into the work of Layard, including his excavations in the Ottoman Empire and his diplomatic work. The combination of manuscripts and annotated proofs allows for a better understanding of the publishing process of the mid 19th century. This can be further explored through the financial papers at the end of the sequence.

Correspondence relating to Layard indicates his continuing influence in Britain even after his death in 1894, through the publicaiton of his memoirs and other biographies.