Papers of and relating to George Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron, poet., 1643-2005, undated.
Scope and Contents
This is an extensive and important collection of papers of and concerning the poet George Gordon Noel Byron, 6th Baron Byron, 'Lord Byron', and his circle.
Byron was one of the most significant writers to be published by the house of Murray. John Murray II published 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage'" in 1812 and this was the start of an association with the poet, his life and his works, that was to continue throughout the successive generations of the Murrays. As a result, the John Murray Archive includes an extensive collection of papers of and concerning Byron, accumulated by the Murray family over many years.
The papers include extensive correspondence, important manuscripts, fair copies, proofs, commonplace books, receipts and bills, accounts, legal documents and other records relating to Byron, his family and his circle. It is a collection which far surpasses in range the papers which a publisher might normally be assumed to hold for one of its authors.
Dates
- Creation: 1643-2005, undated.
Creator
- From the Fonds: John Murray (publishers, London) (Originator, Organization)
- From the Fonds: Murray, family, of London, publishers (Family)
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
0 Volumes
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The papers are arranged in five series. (i) The manuscripts of poems, plays and prose of Lord Byron, and of his circle. (ii) The extant proofs of the poems, plays and prose. (iii) Correspondence. (iv) Personal papers of Lord Byron, containing material relating to his family history, and to his financial and legal affairs; also catalogues of material associated with Byron. (v) Press cuttings, reviews and research concerning Lord Byron and his works.
Custodial History
The ‘Byron Papers’ were accumulated by the Murray family over many years. Much of the collection is a consequence of the direct association of Byron with John Murray II. As such, the collection contains many documents, in particular letters, that reflect that relationship. Additionally, the papers were augmented through the acquisition of further papers of and concerning Byron. After Byron’s death in 1824, Augusta Leigh, the poet’s half-sister, sold many papers relating to him to John Murray II. Additionally, a substantial section of the ‘Byron Papers’ came through a bequest in 1914 from Charlotte Carleton, Lady Dorchester, to John Murray IV. Lady Dorchester was the daughter of John Cam Hobhouse, the friend and executor of Lord Byron. A catalogue of the documents that were owned by Lady Dorchester is included with the papers. The extent and scope of the ‘Byron Papers’ makes them a source of great importance for the study of Byron.
The 'Byron papers' were part of the sale of the John Murray Archive to the National Library of Scotland in 2006.
General
The Byron papers are currently under description.
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