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Ballard Collection

 Collection

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Ballard's manuscripts, including letters and papers of Dr Arthur Charlett (1655-1722), Master of University College, Oxford, and Thomas Rawlins (1620-1670), medallist and playwright. Many of the manuscripts have literary or historical content.

Dates

  • Creation: 16th-18th century

Extent

8.36 Linear metres (76 boxes)

Language of Materials

  • English
  • Latin
  • French
  • English, Old (ca.450-1100)

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Ballard 1].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Ballard 1-67, 69-73

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 12774

Abstract

George Ballard's manuscript collection.

Biographical / Historical

George Ballard was born of humble parents at Chipping Campden, in Gloucestershire, in 1706. In spite of constitutionally weak health and apprenticeship to a woman's-habit maker at Campden, he developed a great deSire for learning, and picked up at an early age a knowledge both of Old English and numismatics. In this way he attracted attention, and Lord Chedworth with some friends gave him £60 a year with which to live at Oxford. Accordingly we find that he matriculated at Magdalen College on 15 December 1750, being then 44 years of age and holding a clerkship at the college. He also became a bedell of the University. On 24 June 1755, he died from the effects of a too sedentary life. Further details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Other Finding Aids

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. III, nos. 10787-10858.

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. V, no. 30425.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

By his will, dated April 1754, he left to the Bodleian, besides some coins, 72 or 73 MSS., with directions that 49 of them (MSS. Ballard 1-43, 45-50) should not be consulted till six years after his death. The manuscipts appear to have come to the Library in 1756. MS. Ballard 46* was acquired in 1890.

Related Materials

MS. Ballard 68, though bequeathed by Ballard, was originally MS. Wood 96 (SC no. 8558) and is described as part of the Wood Manuscripts.

Title
Ballard Collection
Status
Published
Author
Collection Level Description by Emily Tarrant; EAD version 2020 by Alice Whichelow
Date
EAD version 2020
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom