IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0096 AL420
Held at: Senate House Library, University of London
Title: Shaw, Eyre Massey: letters
Date(s): 1872-1889
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 2 items (4 leaves)
Name of creator(s): Shaw | Sir | Eyre Massey | 1828-1908 | Knight | fire officer
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Eyre Massey Shaw was born in County Cork, Ireland, and educated locally and at Trinity College Dublin. He spent several years in the navy before becoming superintendent of the police and fire services in Belfast in 1860; his success in this role led to his appointment a year later as the head of the London Fire Engine Establishment, later to become the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Shaw was uncomfortable working under the new London County Council (constituted in 1889) and resigned from the job in 1891; he received a knighthood on his retirement.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
(1) Letter from Eyre Massey Shaw of the Metropolian Fire Brigade, Watling Street, London to Mr Fraser, 21 Mar 1872. Explaining that he is unable to inspect premises unless invited to do so by the occupants. The law allows 'your neighbours to set their premises on fire, & then, but only then, I have full power to break in & interfere. The moment the place is cool I must walk away ...'. (2) Letter from Eyre Massey Shaw of the Fire Brigade, Southwark, London to Miss E S Busk, 13 Jul 1889. Stating that Mr G W Gamble, who had applied to Miss Busk for books, was thoroughly respectable, but 'he is not the whole institution', and advising her to lend the books, and then, if the 'society is likely to endure', to turn the loan into a gift; [the society mentioned has not be identified]. Both letters are autograph, with signatures.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
See hard copy catalogue
Conditions governing access:
Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Please contact the University Archivist for details. 24 hours notice is required for research visits.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Typescript catalogue available in the Library's Palaeography Room.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
See archivist
Immediate source of acquisition:
Purchased from E Hall (1966)
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Presumably, Miss Treadwell retained the original letters after relinquishing these copies; the current whereabouts of the original letters is unknown.
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Compiled by Anya Turner.
Date(s) of descriptions: July 2008