Nelson, Horatio: letter

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0096 AL91
Held at	: Senate House Library, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.senatehouselibrary.ac.uk/our-collections ›
Full title	: Nelson, Horatio: letter
Date(s)	: [1804]-1885
Level of description	: fonds
Extent	: 2 leaves
Name of creator(s)	: Nelson | Horatio | 1758-1805 | 1st Viscount Nelson of the Nile and Burnham Thorpe | Vice-Admiral

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Horatio Nelson was born in Norfolk and educated there before going to sea in 1771, aged 12. By the age of 21 he had served on board ship in many parts of the globe and risen through the ranks to captain. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1797 and Vice Admiral in 1801 and commanded during many naval battles; however, his name is most associated with the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) during which he was killed. He married Frances Herbert Nisbet in 1787 but is better known for his love affair with Emma, Lady Hamilton, which lasted from 1793 until his death. Nelson was knighted in 1797, created a baron in 1798, and created a viscount in 1801. He is commemorated by Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square, London, and other monuments in the UK and elswhere.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Letter from Horatio Nelson onboard HMS Victory to Lady Hamilton of Merton, Surrey, 12 Sep [1804]. 'My own dearest Emma your last letter was July 25th, and having received that in 5 Weeks I expected one by this days post which brought us English News to August 19th: but I know my Dear Emma the uncertainty of the arrival of letters and I am too well assured that you omit no opportunity. By this time I expect the Kent is in England and my letter got to the admiralty, We have not seen or spoke a Vessel since my letter via Paris of Sept 9th: this goes by Barcelona. Adl Campbell is on board and desires his kind compliments. God Bless you My own Emma and be assured that I long to see you and that I am Ever Ever your all your most faithfully [signature scribbled over]'. Postscript added in the same hand: 'Dr. Scott is come to look at Naples and Palermo before we go home.' Autograph, unsigned.The following papers are filed with the letter: a memorandum from W P Bennett, bookseller, of Birmingham, to H S Foxwell, Esq, explaining the circumstances of its purchase, 30 Oct 1885; a printed notice describing the letter and giving its price as £2 10s 6d.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

See hard copy catalogue.

Conditions governing access:

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised 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.

Finding aids:

Catalogue of the manuscripts and autograph letters in the University Library at the central building of the University of London (1921). A copy is available in the Library's Palaeography Room.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Purchased from Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge by W P Bennett, bookseller, 19 Jul 1885.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Found inside a copy of John Phipps's A guide to the commerce of Bengal - classmark: [G.L.] 1823.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Anya Turner.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
July 2008