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Nicholson Papers

 Collection

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Papers of E.W.B. Nicholson, including papers relating to Edward Nicholson, father of E.W.B. Nicholson, and correspondence of E.W.B. Nicholson.

Dates

  • Creation: 1818-1912

Extent

14.74 Linear metres (134 boxes)

Language of Materials

  • English
  • Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
  • Latin
  • German
  • Welsh

Preferred Citation

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

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

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Eng. bibl. a. 1-4, b.1, c. 4, d. 7-8, e. 1; Eng. lang. c. 5-7, f. 1; Eng. misc. a. 4-5, b. 14-18, c. 54-64, c. 66-74, c. 76-85, d. 49-79, e. 56-73, f. 25-26, g. 7; Eng. poet. b. 2, c. 12-15, d. 21, e. 23, g. 1; Eng. th. e. 23; Gr. class. e. 97-98; Lat. misc. d. 35; Mus. c. 43-44, d. 147-148, g. 2-3; Top. Oxon. c. 179-182, d. 114-121, f. 32; Top. Scotland a. 2

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 13669

Abstract

Nicholson Papers

Biographical / Historical

Edward Williams Byron Nicholson (1849-1912) was Bodley's Librarian, a poet, and a Celtic and Biblical scholar. 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. VI, nos. 36056-36191.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Mr. E. W. B. Nicholson, M.A., late Bodley's Librarian, died on March 17, 1912, having by will dated Dec. 16, 1908, bequeathed to the Bodleian all the volumes deposited in the Library and having an inscription destining them for the Bodleian at his death. In addition to the MSS. so bequeathed by him, others, here numbered MS. Eng. misc. c. 63, Eng. misc. d. 58, Eng. misc. d. 62, Eng. misc. d. 71, Eng. misc. f. 26, Top. Oxon. d. 115, Top. Oxon. d. 117, Top. Oxon. d. 118 and Top. Scotland a. 2, some MS. Library papers and a printed copy of W. D. Macray's Annals of the Bodleian Library, 2nd. ed., 1890, with MS. annotations by Mr. Nicholson (now referenced 2590 d./Oxford 1. 9) were purchased for the Library from his executors. Thirdly, five MSS., here numbered MS. Eng. misc. c. 62, Eng. misc. d. 73, Eng. misc. d. 77, Eng. misc. e. 65 and Eng. poet. c. 12, and a printed copy of James C. Parsons' English Versification, Boston etc., 1894, with numerous MS. annotations by Mr. Nicholson (since referenced 2809 e. 29) were presented to the Library by mrs. E. W. B. Nicholson on Oct. 12, 1912.

Mr. Nicholson's diaries and five other MS. volumes relating to his librarianship (see after MS. Eng. misc. c. 64, Mus. g. 3, Top. Salop. c. 4) have been placed among the Library papers and do not fall within the scope of this catalogue. With not more than two or three exceptions the MSS. thus acquired were either written by Mr. Nicholson or consist of correspondence received by him. They were referenced and handlisted in the course of 1913.

Related Materials

Some of the printed books from Mr. Nicholson's library contain MS. notes by him. The more considerable annotated volumes are the two mentioned above; also Novum Testamentum, ed. F. H. Scrivener, Cambridge Greek and Latin Texts, Cambridge, 1865, large paper copy with marginal pencil notes on the Gospels and Acts (N.T. Gr. 1865 d. 1); John Lawrence, Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses, 3rd ed., London, 1801, 2 vols., containing copies of the MS. notes made by the author in his copy of the first edition (18972. d. 52-3); David S. Margoliouth, Studia Scenica, London, 1883, printed copy with critical MS. notes (2936. e. 82); also the printed volumes noted below under MSS. Eng. bibl. a. 2-3, Eng. misc. a. 4-5, Eng. misc. b. 18, Eng. misc. c. 57, Eng. misc. d. 64, Eng. poet. c. 13. A complete list of them is among the Library papers.

Title
Nicholson Papers
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