Correspondence and papers of Sir Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound (1751-1814), who succeeded as 4th Baronet in 1777, assumed the additional names of Murray Kynynmound on succeeding to his mother's properties in 1778, and was created Baron Minto in 1797 and Earl of Minto in 1813. He was Member of Parliament for Morpeth, 1776-1777, for Roxburghshire, 1777-1784, for Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1786-1790, and for Helston, 1790-1795; and served as Civil Commissioner at Toulon, 1793, Minister to the Italian states, 1794, Viceroy of Corsica, 1794-1796, Ambassador at Vienna, 1799-1801, President of the Board of Control, 1806, and Govvernor-General of India, 1806-1813.

The papers are a valuable source for the study of British politics in the late eighteenth century, of war and diplomacy in Europe, 1793-1801, and for events in India and east of the Cape, 1806-1814. The diplomatic and Indian material is especially rich.

Sir Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound, 4th Baronet, 1st Earl of Minto is referred to throughout this section simply as 'the 1st Earl of Minto'. His wife, Anna Maria, daughter of Sir George Amyand, 1st Baronet, is refered to as 'the Countess of Minto'. Unless otherwise stated, correspondence and papers are of, and letters are addressed to, the 1st Earl.