Archive of Sir Francis Oppenheimer

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The archive comprises: papers and correspondence relating to Oppenheimer's diplomatic career, 1914-1930; literary papers, 1890-1961; correspondence, 1889-1961; personal papers, 1924-1961 and miscellaneous papers and objects, c.1850-late 1950s.

Dates

Creation: Creation: 1850-1961
Creation: Creation: Majority of material found within 1889 - 1961

Extent

2.52 Linear metres (37 boxes)

Language of Materials

English
German
French
Dutch; Flemish
Italian

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 12148/1].

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Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. 12148/1-36; JL 1055-1056

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 12148

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence and papers of Sir Francis Oppenheimer (1870-1961), diplomat and author.

Biographical / Historical

Sir Francis Charles Oppenheimer (1870-1961) was a British diplomat and author. In 1900 he was appointed as British consul-general for Hesse-Nasau and the Grand Duchy of Hesse, residing in Frankfurt. Oppenheimer was knighted in 1907 and promoted from the consular to diplomatic service in 1909. He was appointed commercial attaché for northern and western Europe in 1912, based at the British embassy in Berlin. After the outbreak of the First World War, Oppenheimer was posted to The Hague where he was instrumental in the establishment of the Netherlands Overseas Trust (NOT). He resigned from the diplomatic service in 1920. Oppenheimer, a collector of fine art and antiques, wrote on art and ecclesiastical history. His autobiography Stranger Within: Autobiographical Pages was published in 1960.

Further details are given in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.