Commonplace book compiled by Thomas Vining Whidborne including original and collected verse
Manuscript commonplace book of Thomas Vining Whidborne, containing unpublished poetry presumably by himself (signed "T.V.W.") and copies of poems by other writers, including 14 poems by Letitia Elizabeth Landon or "L.E.L." taken from the "Literary Gazette" 1822-1824, and poems by Lord Byron and Alfred Lord Tennyson. There are also poems attributed to "G.M.", "G.T." and "R.P.P." Many of the original poems are addressed to "N", and there are poems in French and Spanish, as well as an acrostic spelling out the author's surname. Several poems refer to locations in Devon including Berry Pomeroy Castle and a poem near the close of the volume is titled "On the loss of the Amazon steamer by fire", referring to an event of 1852. Flyleaf missing.
Pressed flowers and leaves originally found in the book have been removed and preserved separately, and are referenced by the titles of poems where they were found in the volume.
Dates
- Creation: c. 1822-1852
Extent
1 box
Language of Materials
- English
- French
- Spanish; Castilian
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 23614].
Shelfmark:
MS. 23614
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 23614
Abstract
Commonplace book compiled by Thomas Vining Whidborne including original and collected verse
Biographical / Historical
The main author and compiler of this volume of manuscript verse "T.V.W." has been identified as Thomas Vining Whidborne (1800-1871), a surgeon living in Devon. An acrostic spells out the name Whidborne and the dates of the poems (1822-1852) fit with this identification.
Custodial History
Bears a circular ink stamp indicating it was formerly in the Library of Rev. Herbert Maynard Smith (1869-1949) and Rev. J. Outram Smith (1871-1954), which was dispersed and sold by auction in 2022.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Bernard Quaritch Ltd, Dec 2023 with the aid of the Friends of the Bodleian.
- Title
- Catalogue of commonplace book compiled by Thomas Vining Whidborne including original and collected verse
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Lucy Smith
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- First edition.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk