Archive of Robert Finch, consisting of personal papers, including:
- Letters to Finch, arranged alphabetically by correspondent
- Journals, 1813-18, written in Portugal, England, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, giving detailed historical, architectural, archaeological and topographical accounts of places visited
- Diaries, 1815-30, in a summary tabular form, written in Italy, Greece, Turkey and Switzerland
- Seven commonplace books, c. 1800-10, containing extracts and notes on classical, literary and antiquarian subjects, with copies of letters by Finch, and of Oxford University prize essays and poems, 1773-1804
Also includes manuscripts collected by Finch, 12th-19th century
Dates
- Creation: 12th-19th century
Extent
5.95 Linear metres (81 boxes)
Language of Materials
- English
- Latin
- Italian
- French
- Arabic
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Finch b. 1, fols. 1-2].
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. Finch b. 1, c. 1-3, d. 1-30, e. 1-21, e. 23, e. 24*, e. 25-40, f. 1-7, g. 1
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 12954
Abstract
Archive of Robert Finch (1783-1830).
Biographical / Historical
Robert Finch (1783-1830) was an antiquary. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.
Other Finding Aids
M. Clapinson and T.D. Rogers, Summary Catalogue of Post-Medieval Western Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library Oxford. Acquisitions 1916-1975. (Oxford, 1991), vol. II, nos. 46792-872.
Our best descriptions for medieval items in this collection are in Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries under MSS. Finch.
Custodial History
Robert Finch bequeathed his plate to Balliol College and his library, pictures, coins and medals to the Ashmolean Museum. In 1918 it was agreed that his books and manuscripts should come to the Bodleian Library, with the exception of certain books in foreign languages and dealing with archaeology and fine arts, which were to go to the Taylor Institution and the Ashmolean Museum respectively.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The manuscripts were transferred from the Taylorian to the Bodleian in March 1921
Bibliography
- Finch's personal papers were used by Elizabeth Nitchie in The Reverend Colonel Finch (New York, 1940).
Subject
- Finch | Robert | 1783-1830 | Antiquary (Person)
- University of Oxford | Prizes (Organisation)
- Title
- Catalogue of the archive of Robert Finch
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Collection Level Description by Emily Tarrant; EAD version 2019 by Pauline Soum-Paris
- Date
- EAD version 2019
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk