IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 ACC/0664
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: HOOD, LORD (1724-1816)
Date(s): 1790
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 0.01 linear metres.
Name of creator(s): Hood | Samuel | 1724-1816 | Viscount Hood | naval officer
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Samuel Hood, first Viscount Hood (1724-1816), was a successful naval officer, trusted to train Prince William in his Naval career, and a patron of Horatio Nelson. In 1784, as a popular admiral, he was nominated for the Westminster Parliamentary seat, opposing Charles James Fox. The election was marked by violence and fraud, and Hood described it as 'the most arduous and unpleasant business I ever took in hand' (Rutland MSS, 3.134, quoted in DNB entry cited below). Hood won the election and held the seat until 1796, but disliked Parliament and found London expensive. From 1788 to 1795, he served on the Admiralty board. When war was declared in February 1793 he was appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean.
Source of information: Daniel A. Baugh Michael Duffy, 'Hood, Samuel, first Viscount Hood (1724-1816)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2009.
The Royal Aquarium was opened in 1876 for entertainments. The main hall held palm trees, sculptures, tanks of sea creatures and an orchestra. There were also rooms for reading, smoking, and eating; an art gallery; a skating rink; and a theatre. It was hoped that an intellectual clientele would be attracted to the Aquarium, but they did not materialise, and instead it was given over to 'music hall' type entertainments including acrobats and female swimmers performing aquatic feats in the tanks. In 1903 the site was sold and the buildings demolished.
Information from The London Encyclopaedia, eds. Weinreb and Hibbert (LMA Library Reference 67.2 WEI).
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Printed resolution of Lord Hood's Election Committee, 29 June 1790. The Committee resolves that since the "National Business at this present Crisis" occupies all Lord Hood's attention, preventing him from addressing the electors in person, his conduct is to be rewarded by the Committee's "most animated Exertions in his Lordship's Favor". It is resolved that by supporting Lord Hood in the poll, other public figures will be encouraged to emulate his example of devotion to duty, the virtue which has made the British Navy terrible to their enemies.
Also Royal Aquarium and Summer and Winter Garden, Westminster, programme for week ending 5 March 1887; listing Mr. Jules Levy and the Viennese Lady Orchestra; the Bozza Troupe, "Musical Knife Grinders", and announcing, for March 2nd, 3rd and 4th, the second great Terrier Show, applications for entry forms to Mr. G. Cruft.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
2 items.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Records deposited in May 1958.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note:
Date(s) of descriptions: Records prepared May to September 2011.