The papers consist of correspondence, a commonplace book and an agreement for the purchase by Beckford of a house in Lisbon. The papers relate to Beckford's affairs in Jamaica and Portugal.
Dates
- 1787-1811
Extent
5 shelfmarks
Language of Materials
English and Portuguese
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Eng. lett. c. 499].
Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. Eng. lett. c. 499-501; Eng. misc. e. 1236; Portuguese c. 1
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 12785
Biographical / Historical
William Beckford (1760-1844) was the author of the oriental tale Vathek and of several volumes of travel writings, the builder of Fonthill Abbey, and an important collector of paintings, objets d'art and books. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.
Other Finding Aids
A full description is available in the Library.
Custodial History
The papers were bought by Boyd Alexander in 1968 and 1975, except for MS. Eng. lett. c. 501, which was bequeathed by Charles Robin Hollway to Gerald Wellesley in 1921.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were bequeathed to the Library by Boyd Alexander, 1980.
- Title
- Papers of William Beckford, 1787-1811
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Emily Tarrant
- Language of description
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk