guide to the correspondence series within the...
TRANSCRIPT
GUIDE TO THE
CORRESPONDENCE SERIES
WITHIN THE
CHARLES BABBAGE / NEVILLE BABBAGE ARCHIVES
IN THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM
97/186 97/229/1
Paul Wilson
2010
COLLECTED ARCHIVES SERIES DESCRIPTION
Registration Number: 97/186/1-1
Creators: Babbage, Charles
Babbage, Neville
Series Title: Correspondence to Charles Babbage
Date Range: 1826-1894
Physical Characteristics: Handwritten letters, envelopes, cards, invitation and document
Description: Correspondence, letters (17), cards (6), envelopes (29), one invitation
and one document, to Charles Babbage, Charles Babbage/Neville
Babbage, England/Australia, 1826-1894
This series contains correspondence predominantly sent to Charles
Babbage. The letters provide evidence of his interests and social
connections. Babbage was a well known figure in London society. He
was friends with many prominent people, such as Charles Dickens,
Thomas Carlyle, Sir John Herschel and Charles Darwin. He held
regular Saturday evening parties at his home in Manchester Square
for many years, which were apparently attended by two or three
hundred people and were said to be a meeting place for Europe's
liberal intelligentsia. This series contains a letter from Joshua Field
as well as correspondence from (Augusta) Ada King, Countess of
Lovelace (Byron's daughter). Other correspondents include the
Duchess Dowager of Somerset, the scientist Sir Charles Wheatstone,
writer and statesman Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Admiral Edward
Codrington, politician Henry Bougham, heiress and philanthropist
Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, actor William McCready,
scientific writer John Peter Gassoit and the civil engineer Isambar
Kingdom Brunel. Many of the letters are invitations to social events.
Arrangement: Based on order created by Neville Babbage
Dimensions: Shelf Length m 0.040
Box Number: 1
COLLECTED ARCHIVES
Series Title:
ITEM LIST
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/186/1-1/1 Letter, Joshua Field to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 14
November 1831
One page hand written letter in black ink from Joshua Field,
Lambeth, London, England, to Charles Babbage. In the letter
Field thanks Babbage for sending him a copy of the new
edition of his 'Logarithmic Tables', and states that "I fully
appreciate the value of the improvements you have contributed
to this valuable branch of science." The paper sheet (183 h x
225 w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
three times for postage. The letter is signed 'Joshua Field'.
197/186/1-1/2 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c.
1840
One page hand written letter from an unknown correspondent
to Charles Babbage asking if he were interested in joining
him/her in a journey on the following day commencing at 1:45
pm. The sheet has black edging on all four sides. On the other
side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles
Babbage Esq/ Dorset St'. There is also a broken black wax seal.
The paper sheet (112 mm h x 155 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed.
The letter is signed 'L'. The letter was once attributed to
Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace.
197/186/1-1/3 Letter, part of letter from Augusta Ada King, Countess of
Lovelace to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1840
Part of a torn page of a hand written letter in black ink from
Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, to Charles Babbage,
asking Babbage to visit her at Horsley, Surrey, England. The
letter is signed 'A. L.'
197/186/1-1/4 Visiting card and envelope, Augusta Ada King, Countess of
Lovelace, to Charles Babbage, c. 1840
97/186/1-1/4/1 Visiting card, Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, to
Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1840
Visiting card of Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, sent
to Charles Babbage. The white card has text printed in black
that reads, "COUNTESS OF LOVELACE." On the back of the
card there is hand written text in black ink that reads, "Very
interesting".
97/186/1-1/4/2 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from
Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, paper/ink, c. 1840.
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Augusta Ada
Item Number BoxItem Title
King, Countess of Lovelace. The envelope is addressed in black
ink to 'C. Babbage Esqre/ 1. Dorset St/ Manchester Sqre'. On
the back of the envelope the name 'Ada' has been written in
black ink. The envelope contained a visiting card from the
Countess of Lovelace.
197/186/1-1/5 Visiting cards, (4), Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1860
Four printed visiting cards from Margaret Seymour, the
Duchess Dowager of Somerset, to Charles Babbage. Each
visiting card is on white card with black edging on all four
sides. The printed text reads, 'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'.
Each card also contains a hand written message in black ink.
197/186/1-1/5/1 Visiting card, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1860
Visiting card from Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage. The white card has black
border edging on all four sides. The printed text reads,
'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand written text in black ink
has been added to the card so that the entire text reads, "To
Mr Babbage/ with the Duchess Dowager of Somerset/ 2 Spring
Chickens/ 2 Devonshire Pidgeons/ 1 doz new laid eggs".
197/186/1-1/5/2 Visiting card, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1860
Visiting card from Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage. The white card has black
border edging on all four sides. The printed text reads,
'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand written text in black ink
has been added to the card so that the entire text reads, "To
enquire particular/ for Mr Babbage/ Duchess Dowager of
Somerset".
197/186/1-1/5/3 Visiting card, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1860
The printed text reads, 'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand
written text in black ink has been added to the card so that the
entire text reads, "To enquire particular/ for Mr Babbage/ With
the Duchess Dowager of Somerset/ kind compliments/ I guinea
fowl Devonshire/ 1- duckling - [indecipherable]/ 6- new laid
eggs - ".
197/186/1-1/5/4 Visiting card, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of
Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1860
The printed text reads, 'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand
written text in black ink has been added to the card so that the
entire text reads, "With many kind wishes/ & regards/ Duchess
Dowager of Somerset/ C. Babbage Esq." On the back of the
card Babbage�s address has been written in black ink, '1.
Dorset Street/ Manc Sq'.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/186/1-1/6 Correspondence, letters (13), invitations and document, to
Charles Babbage, and 1 letter to Eden H Babbage, 1844 - 1894
Correspondants include scientist Sir Charles Wheatstone,
Admiral Edward Codrington, politician Henry Bougham,
heiress and philanthropist Baroness Angela Georgina
Burdett-Coutts, and actor William McCready.
197/186/1-1/6/1 Letter, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of Somerset,
to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 1 August 1860
Two page hand written letter in black ink from the Margaret
Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of Somerset, Park Lane,
London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner
on Thursday 2 August 1860. Others attending the dinner
would be the Lord Chief Justice of England, Sir Alexander
James Edmund Cockburn, "& a few very kind & old friends".
The paper sheet (194 mm h x 325 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'M Somerset'. The family's crest is printed in the upper
left corner of the sheet. Various mathematical calculations in
pencil are written on the sheet.
197/186/1-1/6/2 Letter, Sir Charles Wheatstone to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 25 November 1844
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Charles
Wheatstone, 20 Conduit Street, London, England, to Charles
Babbage informing him that he would be travelling to Paris,
France on Monday and asking him if he could be of any service
to him there. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 230 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'C. Wheatstone'.
197/186/1-1/6/3 Letter, Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 4 September 1826
One page hand written letter in French and in black ink from
Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier, Secretary of the Académie
Royale des Sciences, Institut de France, Paris, France to
Charles Babbage thanking him for sending three of his
publications to the Academy: 'On the influence of signs in
mathematical training', 1826; 'On electric and magnetic
rotations', 1826; and 'On a method of expressing by signs the
action of machinery'. The publications had been placed in the
Institute's Library. The letter is on the letterhead of the
Académie Royale des Sciences, Institut de France. On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to
'Monsieur/ Monsieur Charles Babbage/ member de la societe
royale de Londres/ Rue Neuve des Augustins No. 6/ a Paris'.
The paper sheet (248 mm h x 386 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then four times for postage and
sealed. The sheet contains residue from a red wax seal. The
letter is signed by Fourier.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/186/1-1/6/4 Letter, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Edward
Bulwer Lytton, 14 Rue de Courcelles, Paris, France, to Charles
Babbage while he was staying at the Hotel Bedford, Paris,
France. In the letter Lytton asks Babbage whether he is
interested in having "a quiet dinner here at ½ past six on
Friday". On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
addressed to 'Mon./ Mon. Babbage/ Hotel Bedford'. A red wax
seal is also on that side of the sheet. The paper sheet (130 mm
h x 208 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed
'Ed Bulwer'.
197/186/1-1/6/5 Letter, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Edward
Bulwer Lytton, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England, to Charles
Babbage asking for the return of a proof "I sent you as soon as
you can � every day is of importance." The letter is addressed
to 'C. Babbage/ 1 Dorset St' on the other side of the folded
sheet. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'Ed Bulwer'.
197/186/1-1/6/6 Letter, John Peter Gassiot to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 6 February 1856
Two page hand written letter in black ink from John Peter
Gassiot, Clapham Common, London, England, to Charles
Babbage thanking him for sending him a pamphlet. The paper
sheet (177 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'J P Gassiot'.
197/186/1-1/6/7 Letter, Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness
Burdett-Coutts, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, 11 February
1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Angela
Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts, Stratton
Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage accepting his
invitation to visit on Monday 17 February 1840. The paper
sheet (187 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'A G B Coutts'.
197/186/1-1/6/8 Letter, address section of letter, Federico Luigi, Conte di
Menabrea, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1840
Address section of letter in black ink from Federico Luigi,
Conte di Menabrea, Turin, Italy, to Charles Babbage. The
letter is addressed in French 'A Monsieur Charles Babbage/ 1.
Dorset Street Londres'. There are also two postmarks in red
Item Number BoxItem Title
ink and a later annotation in black ink that reads 'General
Menabrea' which has been underlined.
197/186/1-1/6/9 Letter, E T Gilbert to unknown, paper/ink, 1 November 1839
Three page hand written letter in black ink from E T Gilbert,
Brockdish Place, near Scole, Norfolk, England, to an unknown
recipient stating that he had written "a series of questions,
(perhaps 500 in number) on Mr Babbage's 'Economy of
Machinery & Manufactures', & I have obtained that
gentleman's consent to their publication." He wanted to know
"whether you are willing to undertake the publication of them,
& if you are willing, on what conditions will you do so. I shall
be obliged if you will communicate with Mr Babbage on this
matter". The paper sheet (180 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'E T Gilbert'.
197/186/1-1/6/10 Letter, Admiral Sir Edward Codrington to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Admiral Sir
Edward Codrington, Eaton Square, London, England, inviting
him to a dinner party the following evening at 7:30 pm. The
letter is dated 4 April. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm
w) has black edging on all four sides and was folded in half for
the production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is
signed 'Edwd Codrington'.
197/186/1-1/6/11 Letter, William Brougham to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from William
Brougham, 66 Mount Street, London, England, to Charles
Babbage stating that 1:30 pm on Sunday "will do extremely
well". He had written to [possibly E O Pinto] "desiring him to
be at Mount St at that hour & I can take both you & him down
to the place unless he had made other arrangements." The
paper sheet (180 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'E W Brougham'.
197/186/1-1/6/12 Cheque, Bank of England cheque for 220 pounds drawn by
Charles Babbage for the credit of C T [Trenham] Reeks,
paper/ink, 8 March 1858
197/186/1-1/6/13 Invitation, The Lord Mayor of London to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Invitation sent by the Lord Mayor of London to Charles
Babbage to attend a dinner for members of the Royal Academy
and Royal Society on Saturday 7 July at 6:30 pm.
197/186/1-1/6/14 Letter, Isambard Kingdom Brunel to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Item Number BoxItem Title
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Isambard
Kingdom Brunel to Charles Babbage referring to a table of
calculations for locomotive engines that he thought would
interest Babbage. The paper sheet (195 mm h x 250 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'I K Brunel'.
197/186/1-1/6/15 Letter, William Charles Macready to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 22 July 1841
One page hand written letter in black ink from William
Charles Macready, 5 Clarence Terrace, Regents Park, London,
England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Sunday
1 August 1841 at 7pm. The paper sheet (108 mm h x 176 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then again
for postage. The letter is signed 'W. C. Macready'.
197/186/1-1/6/16 Letter, Stephen Sheldrick Smith to Eden H Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 16 January 1894
Two page hand written letter in blue ink from Stephen
Sheldrick Smith, 'Willesden', Killara, New South Wales, to
Eden H Babbage, with information about Admiral Sir Edward
Codrington, George Grote, Baron von Humboldt, Henry
Hallam, and Lord Ashley who were some of correspondents
within a collection of Charles Babbage's papers that Eden
Babbage had shown Smith the previous day. The letter is
signed 'S. S. Smith'.
197/186/1-1/7 Envelopes (29) and a visiting card, addressed to Charles
Babbage, England, 1832 - 1872
Envelopes (29), one containing a visiting card. All but one of
the envelopes are addressed to Charles Babbage. Most are also
to his home at 1 Dorset Street, Manchester Square, London,
England. Annotations have been written on the envelopes by
Neville Babbage.
197/186/1-1/7/1 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
David Brewster, paper/ink/wax, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir David
Brewster. The envelope, which has black edging on all four
sides and across the back of the item, is addressed in black ink
to 'Charles Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset Street / Manchester
Square'. The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp,
and a postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope has a
black wax seal, a postmark in brown ink with the date 21 May
[indecipherable] and a stamp in blue ink that reads 'Piccadilly
C C'. On the inside flap of the envelope the name 'Sir D.
Brewster' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/2 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from
unknown, paper/ink/wax, c. 1840
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from an unknown
Item Number BoxItem Title
sender. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles
Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St/ Manchester'. In the upper right
corner of the word 'Manchester' has also been written. Charles
Babbage lived on Manchester Square. Later annotations claim
it was sent by a 'Professor Sylvester' [James Joseph Sylvester]
but there is nothing on the envelope written at the time it was
sent that denotes the name of the sender. On the back of the
envelope is a broken red wax seal.
197/186/1-1/7/3 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from
Alexander William Kinglake, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Alexander
William Kinglake. The envelope is addressed in black ink to
'Charles Babbage Esqre/ [indecipherable]/ 1 Dorset Street'. On
the back of the envelope is a black wax seal. On the inside flap
of the envelope the name 'Kinglake' has been written in black
ink.
197/186/1-1/7/4 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
William Snow Harris, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir William
Snow Harris. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'C.
Babbage Esq FRS/ [indecipherable]/ Dorset St'. The back of the
envelope contains a red wax seal. On the inside flap of the
envelope the name 'Sir Wm Snow Harris' has been written in
black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/5 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela
Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela Georgina
Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts. The envelope is
addressed in black ink 'To Charles Babbage Esq'. The back of
the envelope has a broken black wax seal. On the inside flap of
the envelope the name 'Miss Coutts' has been written in pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/6 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela
Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts,
paper/ink/pencil, 29 March 1854
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela Georgina
Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts. The envelope is
addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset
Street'. The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp,
and a postmark in black ink dated 29 March 1854. The back of
the envelope has been torn and the upper section is missing.
Part of a stamp in green ink for '[Picc]adilly' is on the right
hand side. On the inside of the envelope the name 'Miss
Coutts' has been written in pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/7 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from
Alexander William Kinglake, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Item Number BoxItem Title
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Alexander
William Kinglake. The envelope is addressed in black ink to
'Charles Babbage Esq/ [indecipherable]'. On the back of the
envelope is a black wax seal. On the inside flap of the envelope
the words 'Kinglake Eothen' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/8 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Baron
Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Baron Friedrich
Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt. The envelope is addressed
in black ink 'To/ Charles Babbage Esq. F.R.S./ 1. Dorset Street/
Manchester Square'. The sender�s name 'C Bn Humbolt' is
written in black ink on the lower left of the envelope. There are
mathematical calculations in pencil on both the front and back
of the envelope. There is a red wax seal on the back of the
envelope.
197/186/1-1/7/9 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Charles Lyell, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 9 July 1851
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Charles
Lyell. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles
Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front
of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in
black ink. The back of the envelope has a postmark in red ink
dated 9 July 1851, and an indecipherable stamp in black ink.
On the inside flap of the envelope the name 'Sir Chs Lyell' has
been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/10 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
David Brewster, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 27 December 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir David
Brewster. The envelope, which has black edging on all four
sides, is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset Street /
Manchester Sq/ London'. The front of the envelope also has a
penny red stamp, a postmark in black ink, and an annotation
in black ink by Charles Babbage that reads 'H/ W 74978/ 12
March 1851'. The back of the envelope has a broken black wax
seal. A postmark in red ink with the date 27 December 1850
and another postmark in red ink in red ink with the date 28
December 1850. On the inside flap of the envelope the name
'David Brewster' has been written in pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/11 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
James South, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 6 February 1832
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir James South.
The envelope which has a black border on all four sides is
addressed in black ink, 'To/ Charles Babbage Esq FRS/ No. 1
Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front of the envelope
also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in black ink. The
back of the envelope has a nearly intact black wax seal, a
postmark in red ink for 6 February 1832, and a stamp in green
Item Number BoxItem Title
ink for 'Piccadilly'. On the inside of the envelope the name 'Sir
James South' has been written in pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/12 Envelope and visiting card, envelope addressed to Henry
Provost Babbage from Sir James Paget containing visiting
card, 13 July 1872
197/186/1-1/7/12/1 Envelope, envelope addressed to Henry Provost Babbage from
Sir James Paget, paper/ink/pencil, 13 July 1872
Envelope addressed to Henry Provost Babbage from Sir James
Paget. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Henry P.
Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square/ W'. The
front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, a postmark
in black ink dated 13 July 1872, and another postmark in
black ink. The back of the envelope has a later annotation in
pencil that reads, 'Sir J Paget'. The envelope contained one of
Paget�s visiting cards.
197/186/1-1/7/12/2 Visiting card, Sir James Paget to Henry Provost Babbage,
paper/ink, 13 July 1872
Visiting card from Sir James Paget to Henry Provost Babbage
printed in black on white card that reads, 'Mr James Paget./ 1,
Harewood Place, Hanover Square.' Hand written text in black
ink has been added at the top of the card that reads, "with
thanks".
197/186/1-1/7/13 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Richard Graves MacDonnell, paper/ink/pencil, 9 February
1851
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Richard
Graves MacDonnell. The envelope is addressed in black ink to
'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St./ Portman Square'. The
front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a
postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope has a
postmark in red ink dated 9 February 1851. On the inside flap
of the envelope the name 'Govr MacDonnell' has been written
in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/14 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Joseph Whitworth, paper/ink/pencil, 17 July 1855
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Joseph
Whitworth. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles
Babbage Esqre FRS/ Dorset St./ Manchester Square/ London'.
The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and two
postmarks in black ink with one dated Manchester 17 July
1855. The back of the envelope has a postmark in red ink
dated 18 July 1855. On the inside flap of the envelope the
name 'J. Whitworth' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/15 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James
Glaisher, paper/ink/pencil, 1 May 1857
Item Number BoxItem Title
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James Glaisher.
The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage
Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front of the
envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in black
ink. The back of the envelope has a postmark in brown ink
dated 1 May 1857, and a unintelligible stamp in green ink. On
the inside flap of the envelope 'Mr Glaisher/ Royal
Observatory' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/16 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Lyon Playfair, paper/ink/pencil, 20 February 1856
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Lyon
Playfair. The envelope was printed for the Department of
Science and Art at the Board of Trade. On the front of the
envelope on the upper right the printed text reads 'On Her
Majesty�s Service' which is underlined; on the lower left the
printed text reads 'Board of Trade./ Department of/ Science
and Art' with the words 'Board of Trade' underlined. On the
back of the envelope the emblem of the Department of Science
and Art at the Board of Trade has been printed in blue and
white. On the inside flap and inside the envelope the following
text has been printed: �'n case of future Correspondence on
the subject of the enclosed Letter, you are requested to/ quote
its Number and Date./ All Communications on business
connected with the Department arte to be addressed to the/
Secretaries of the Department of Science and Art, Marlborough
House, Pall Mall,/ London. Money Orders to be made payable
to JOHN MAYO, ESQ.' The letter is addressed in black ink to
'Charles Babbage Esqre/ [indecipherable]/ 1 Dorset Street/
Portman Square'. The name of the sender, 'Lyon Playfair' is
written in black ink above the name of the department. The
front of the envelope also has a postmark in brown ink dated
20 February 1856. On the inside flap of the envelope the name
'Dr Lyon Playfair' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/17 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James
Nasmyth, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 22 February 1851
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James Nasmyth.
The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage
Esq/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square/ London'. The front of
the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in
black ink. The front of the envelope also has a penny red
stamp, and a postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope
has a broken red wax seal, two postmarks in red ink with the
legible one from Manchester dated 22 February 1851, and a
stamp in black ink for 'PATRICROFT', the town in Lancashire,
England which was the headquarters of the firm of Nasmyth,
Gaskell and Company. On the inside of the envelope the name
'J Naysmith' [sic] has been written in pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/18 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Benjamin Collins Brodie, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Benjamin
Item Number BoxItem Title
Collins Brodie. The envelope, which has black edging on all
four sides, is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset
Street / Manchester Square'. On the inside of the envelope the
name 'Sir Benjn Brodie Bart' has been written in pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/19 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Benjamin Collins Brodie, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 14 June 1855
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from William Parsons,
3rd Earl of Rosse. The envelope is addressed to 'Charles
Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset Street / Manchester Square'. The front
of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in
black ink. On the back of the envelope is a postmark in brown
ink dated 14 June 1855 and a red wax seal. On the inside flap
of the envelope the name 'Earl of Rosse' has been written in
black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/20 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
Charles James Napier, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Charles
James Napier. The envelope is addressed to 'Charles Babbage
Esqr / No 1 Dorset Street / Portman Square'. On the inside flap
of the envelope the name 'Sir Chs Napier Admiral' has been
written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/21 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
John William Frederick Herschel, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir John William
Frederick Herschel. The envelope, which has been totally
opened, is addressed in black ink to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset
Street/ Manchester Square'. On the inside of the envelope the
name 'W F Herschel' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/22 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
John William Frederick Herschel, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir John William
Frederick Herschel. The envelope is addressed in black ink to
'C. Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. On the
inside flap of the envelope the name 'Sir John Herschel Bart.'
has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/23 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
John William Frederick Herschel, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 27
March 1851
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir John
Herschel. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'C.
Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front
of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in
black ink. The back of the envelope has three postmarks in red
ink dated 27 March 1851, and a red wax seal. On the inside
flap of the envelope the name 'J F W Herschel' has been
written in black ink.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/186/1-1/7/24 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from
Charles Manby, paper/ink/pencil, 30 April 1855
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Charles Manby.
The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage
Esq/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front of the
envelope also has a penny red stamp, and two postmarks in
black ink with one dated 30 April 1855. On the inside flap of
the envelope the name 'Chas Manby' has been written in
pencil.
197/186/1-1/7/25 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from
Michael Faraday, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Michael
Faraday. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles
Babbage Esq/ FRS/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Sq'. The front
of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and two postmarks
in black ink. The back of the envelope has a red wax seal, and
a postmark in brown ink dated 3 July but with the year
illegible.. On the inside flap of the envelope the name
'Farraday' [sic] has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/26 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
William Snow Harris, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1853
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir William
Snow Harris. The envelope is addressed in black ink to
'Charles Babbage Esq FRS/ 1 Dorset Street/ Portman Square/
London'. The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp,
and a postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope has a
red wax seal, a postmark in green ink from Plymouth dated 9
January. The year is illegible but could be either 1853 or 1855.
There is also another postmark in red ink. On the inside flap of
the envelope the name 'Snow Harris' has been written in black
ink.
197/186/1-1/7/27 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir
William Snow Harris, paper/ink, 1856
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir William
Snow Harris. The envelope, which has black edging on all four
sides, is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage Esq FRS/ 1
Dorset Street/ Portman Square'. The front of the envelope also
has a penny red stamp, and two postmarks in black ink with
one showing the year to be 1856. The back of the envelope has
a unintelligible stamp in green ink. On the inside flap of the
envelope the name 'Sir Wm Snow Harris' has been written in
black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/28 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from John
Timbs, paper/ink, 1853
Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from John Timbs. The
envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage Esq,/
Item Number BoxItem Title
Dorset Street,/ Manchester Square'. The front of the envelope
also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in black ink The
back of the envelope has a postmark in brown ink that shows
the year to be 1853. On the inside flap of the envelope 'Mr
Timbs Ed of Illustrated News' has been written in black ink.
197/186/1-1/7/29 Envelope, section of envelope sent by or addressed to John
Scott Russell, paper/ink, c. 1850
Part of envelope with the name 'J Scott Russell' in black ink
which has been underlined. John Scott Russell was a Scottish
naval engineer (1808 - 1882).
COLLECTED ARCHIVES SERIES DESCRIPTION
Registration Number: 97/229/1-1
Creators: Babbage, Charles
Babbage, Neville
Series Title: Correspondence to Charles Babbage
Date Range: 1827-1869
Physical Characteristics: Handwritten letters, invitations and documents
Description: Correspondence, letters, invitations and documents (168), to Charles
Babbage, Charles Babbage/Neville Babbage, England/Australia,
1827-1869
This series contains correspondence to Charles Babbage. The letters
provide evidence of his interests and social connections. Babbage was
a well known figure in London society. He was friends with many
prominent people such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Carlyle, Sir
John Herschel and Charles Darwin. He held regular Saturday
evening parties at his home in Manchester Square for many years,
which were apparently attended by two or three hundred people and
were said to be a meeting place for Europe's liberal intelligentsia.
The writers of the letters include many distinguished scientists,
writers, society people and other well-known people who were part of
Babbage's extensive range of friends and acquaintances. Authors
include Sir John Franklin (explorer), George Grote (historian),
Abraham Hayward (essayist), JW Lubbock (astronomer and
mathematician), and Benjamin Brodie (surgeon). The letters are
generally brief and relate to social engagements, receipt or return of
publications, and personal matters. There is a letter from James
Bicheno (Colonial Secretary, Van Diemen's Land) thanking Babbage
for 'valedictory remembrances' on going to the other side of the globe,
1846, and a letter from the Duke of Newcastle (Secretary of the
State for the Colonies) regarding a recommendation for the
appointment of Babbage's son as Master of the Mint in Melbourne,
1860. There is an unsigned and undated document about a dinner
party organised by the Duchess of Somerset which is believed to be
in Charles Babbage's handwriting.
The letters and invitations have been kept separately by Neville
Babbage. He has numbered them in pencil and often written the
name of the author on the letter. This order has been maintained.
Arrangement: Numerical order created by Neville Babbage.
Dimensions: Shelf Length m 0.050
Box Number: 1
COLLECTED ARCHIVES
Series Title:
ITEM LIST
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/229/1-1/1 Letter, Charles Holtzapffel to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 7 October 1846
One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles
Holtzapffel, London, England, to Charles Babbage thanking
him for the prompt return of a corrected proof. It appears that
the letter refers to one of the final two volumes of Holtzapffel's
five volume 'Turning and Mechanical Manipulation' which
were both published after his death in 1847. The paper sheet
(198 mm h x 250 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C
Holtzapffel'.
197/229/1-1/2 Letter, Philip H Howard to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Philip H
Howard, Alton Towers, Cheadle, Staffordshire, England, to
Charles Babbage requesting an appointment for a Mr Cowen of
Carlisle to view Babbage's calculating machine. The paper
sheet (168 mm h x 182 mm w) was folded three times for
postage. The letter is signed 'Philip H Howard'.
197/229/1-1/3 Letter, Sir John Franklin to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1830
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John
Franklin, 55 Devonshire Street, Portland Place, London,
England, to Charles Babbage requesting an appointment so
that his brother Captain Franklin and two or three other
gentleman could view his calculating machine on the following
Saturday. The letter is dated 31 March. On the other side of
the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To C. Babbage Esqr.'
There is also a latter annotation in black ink that reads 'Sir
John Franklin' that is underlined. The paper sheet (178 mm h
x 227 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then twice for postage and with a red wax seal with residue
from the seal still visible. A section of the letter near where the
seal was originally placed has been torn. The letter is signed
'John Franklin'.
197/229/1-1/4 Letter, Leonard Horner to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
14 July 1846
One page hand written letter in black ink from Leonard
Horner, 2 Bedford Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage
concerning a report on the Royal Observatory at Greenwich,
England. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'Leonard Horner'.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/229/1-1/5 Letter, Mary Damer to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Mary Damer to
Charles Babbage introducing a French academic and specialist
in 'Mexican antiquities'. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 223 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice
for postage. The letter is signed 'Mary Damer'.
197/229/1-1/6 Letter, William Feilding, Lord Denbigh, to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from William
Feilding, Lord Denbigh, Eaton Place, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to a dinner on the following
Thursday evening at 7:30 pm where he would meet Colonel
Feilding "whom I am anxious to make better acquainted with
you." The letter is dated 18 July. On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq./ 1
Dorset St./ Portman Place'. The paper sheet (192 mm h x 237
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then a
number of times for postage. The letter is signed 'Denbigh'.
197/229/1-1/7 Letter, Mary Elizabeth Feilding, Lady Denbigh, to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Mary Elizabeth
Feilding, Lady Denbigh, 18 Eaton Place, London, England, to
Charles Babbage stating that as she had first learned
gypsography from him "you must allow me to send you the
proof of my having taken some advantage of it." She also
invited him to their house on Thursday next at 7pm. The paper
sheet (183 mm h x 227 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'M E Denbigh'.
197/229/1-1/8 Letter, John Farrar to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 27
February 1832
One page hand written letter in black ink from John Farrar to
Charles Babbage apologising for not being able to send him a
copy of the report of the American Secretary of the Treasury
but instead he was sending a copy of the American Almanac.
On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to
'Professor Babbage/ 1 Dorset Street'. The paper sheet (185 mm
h x 225 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'J. Farrar'.
197/229/1-1/9 Letter, Frederick Fitton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
17 February 1865
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Frederick
Fitton, Bagshot, Surrey, England, to Charles Babbage advising
him that James Hodges, the engineer who had overseen the
construction of the Victoria Bridge in Montreal, Canada, would
Item Number BoxItem Title
be presenting "a description of the blasting of the Roundown
Cliff at Dover", England, on Thursday 2 March 1865. He also
invited Babbage to stay at Bagshot. The paper sheet (183 h
mm x 226 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Fredrk
Fitton'.
197/229/1-1/10 Letter, C Frew to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 20
April 1843
One page hand written letter in black ink from C Frew, Covent
Garden, London, England, to Charles Babbage concerning a
"thundering letter" he had written to one of Babbage�s
tenants. He had later learned from the man's wife that
Babbage had allowed the tenant "time for payment". On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter had been originally
addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Portman
Square' but had been redirected to 'C. Babbage Esq/ at the
Duke of Somerset/ Wimbledon Street/ Wimbledon'. There is
also a broken red wax seal and various post marks. The paper
sheet (183 mm h x 228 mm w) was originally folded was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed with red wax. The letter is signed 'C. Frew'.
197/229/1-1/11 Letter, W E Greenwell to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, 2 March 1857
One page hand written letter in black ink from W E Greenwell,
Petty Clerk, Court House of Marylebone, London, England, to
Charles Babbage asking Babbage to meet a committee at the
court house on Thursday 5 March at 3pm to consider a
surveyor's report on sites for public urinals as well as
regulations for stables and mews. On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq'. There
is also a black wax seal. The paper sheet (191 mm h x 228 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice
for postage and sealed with black wax. The letter is signed 'W.
E. Greenwell'.
197/229/1-1/12 Letter, Woronzow Greig to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Woronzow
Greig, 8 Kings Bench Walk, Temple, London, England, to
Charles Babbage requesting advice about the enclosed
calculations about whether it was more advisable to purchase
or to lease a house from year to year. The letter is dated 19
June. The paper sheet (187 mm h x 230 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'Woronzow Greig'.
197/229/1-1/13 Letter, R J Griffith to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil,
c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from R J Griffith,
Hatchets Hotel, Dover Street, London, England, to Charles
Item Number BoxItem Title
Babbage asking to be received for about half an hour on the
following Wednesday at 11am. Griffith stated that "A
communication of a scientific nature" had been entrusted to
him and he was anxious to submit it to "Mr. Babbage�s
superior judgement." On the other side of the folded sheet the
letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq./ No. 1 Dorset
Street/ Montague Sqr.' There is also a broken red wax seal.
The paper sheet (187 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'R J Griffith'.
197/229/1-1/14 Letter, Margaret Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Margaret
Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, Park Lane, London, England,
to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following
Saturday at 6pm. The letter is dated 13 March. The letter is on
notepaper of the Duchess of Somerset with her crest printed in
gold in the upper left corner. The paper sheet (108 mm h x 178
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
again for postage. The letter is signed 'M. Somerset'.
197/229/1-1/15 Letter, Margaret Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Margaret
Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, Park Lane, London, England,
to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following
Monday at 7:30pm. The letter is dated 19 March. The letter is
on notepaper of the Duke and Duchess of Somerset with the
family crest printed in gold in the upper left corner. The paper
sheet (110 mm h x 90 mm w) was folded once for postage. The
letter is signed 'M. Somerset'.
197/229/1-1/16 Letter, Margaret Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Margaret
Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, Park Lane, London, England,
to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following day
at 7:15pm. The letter is dated 15 April. The letter is on
notepaper of the Duke and Duchess of Somerset with the
family crest printed in gold in the upper left corner. The paper
sheet (110 mm h x 182 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is
signed 'M. Somerset'.
197/229/1-1/17 Letter, Jane Fitton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 5
February 1864
Four page hand written letter in black ink from Jane Fitton,
Mentone [Menton], France, to Charles Babbage. In the letter
she asks about his health during the winter months and
expresses the hope that he will write to them especially with
news about how his book is progressing. Other topics
Item Number BoxItem Title
mentioned include the Mentone Book Club; Professor R I
Murchison�s prize; the fate of Dr David Livingstone; the
family of William Makepeace Thackeray; Babbage's parrot; her
immediate and extended family; and their garden at Mentone.
The paper sheet (207 mm h x 270 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. A section of
the letter has been torn. The letter is signed 'Jane Fitton'.
197/229/1-1/18 Letter, Harriet Grote to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Harriet Grote
to Charles Babbage enclosing a notice about Thomas Hobbes
which had recently appeared in 'The Spectator'. She added
that "I accordingly send it to you - judging that your
sentiments are somewhat in accordance with much that is here
advanced and hoping that you will feel obliged to me for
putting it your way." In addition she states that she hopes to
make an appearance on the 15th and asked whether he would
dine at Mr Warren's on the 10th. The letter is dated 6 June.
The paper sheet (110 mm h x 182 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is
signed 'H. Grote'.
197/229/1-1/19 Letter, Charles Amyand Harris to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Charles
Amyand Harris to Charles Babbage informing him of his
impending two month trip to Scotland and Ireland. He also
intended spending a day or two in Manchester. Harris asked
Babbage for introductions to manufacturers. On the other side
of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq.'
The paper sheet (113 mm h x 182 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then three times for postage. The
letter is signed 'C Harris'.
197/229/1-1/20 Letter, Abraham Hayward to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Abraham
Hayward to Charles Babbage stating that neither of the two
unnamed people Babbage wanted to invite to a function were
in town according to Henry Reeve, Tocqueville's translator. If
they appeared, Hayward stated that he would convey
Babbage's invitation to them. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
twice for postage. The letter is signed 'A Hayward'.
197/229/1-1/21 Letter, Edward Holland to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
14 January 1853
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Edward
Holland, Dumbleton, Evesham, Worcestershire, England, to
Charles Babbage stating that he would expect him on the 23rd
of January. He would be "disengaged" on the 24th to the 26th
Item Number BoxItem Title
but "engaged" on the 27th and 28th. He also said to Babbage
that "Do not hurry away in consequence of my engagement on
the 27th and 28th. I shall be at liberty afterwards." The paper
sheet (185 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'Ed Holland'.
197/229/1-1/22 Letter, Edward Holland to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
24 February 1853
Three page hand written in black ink from Edward Holland,
Dumbleton, Evesham, Worcestershire, England, to Charles
Babbage acknowledging the receipt of three estimates. In the
letter Holland mentions Elliot's valuation and Charles
Babbage's trip to Manchester with Fairburn and Whitworth.
He also stated that he hoped to be settled into quarters in
London by 15 March 1853. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 223
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Ed Holland'.
197/229/1-1/23 Letter, Jean-Baptiste Jobard to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 9 June 1845
One page hand written letter in blue ink from Jean-Baptiste
Jobard, Director, Museum of Belgian Industry, Brussels,
Belgium, to Charles Babbage. At the time Jobard was staying
at 39 Thomas Street, London, England. In the letter which is
written in French Jobard states that he would not like to leave
London without passing on his best regards to Babbage and
giving him some of his publications. He asked Babbage to let
him know when would be a suitable time. The paper sheet (255
mm h x 385 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Jobard'.
197/229/1-1/24 Letter, Sir William Robert Grove to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 30 June 1853
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir William
Robert Grove to Charles Babbage asking if he was "inclined to
make another attempt on Chobham [Surrey, England]
tomorrow" as it was probably the only opportunity available.
The paper sheet (255 mm h x 175 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'W R Grove'.
197/229/1-1/25 Letter, William Lonsdale to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
21 April 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from William
Lonsdale, Geological Society of London, Somerset House, The
Strand, London, England, to Charles Babbage enclosing a
volume of 'Silliman's Journal' containing an article about the
experiments conducted by Colonel Totten. The paper sheet
(183 mm h x 229 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Wm
Lonsdale'.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/229/1-1/26 Letter, Thomas Rupert Jones to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 7 October 1856
Two page hand written in black ink from Thomas Rupert
Jones, Assistant Secretary, Geological Society of London,
Somerset House, The Strand, London, England, to Charles
Babbage acknowledging the return of a corrected proof with
his accompanying note. Jones also states that Babbage's
instructions regarding dates on the illustrations would be
fulfilled and that there would be no objection to having copies
of the paper and illustrations made. Babbage had requested
the return of the manuscript for that purpose and Jones wrote
that he would have to gain "the normal official permission for
my parting with the documents." The letter is on the notepaper
of the Geological Society of London. The paper sheet (182 mm
h x 221 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'T. R. Jones'.
197/229/1-1/27 Letter, E T Jones to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 7
October 1856
One page hand written letter in black ink from E T Jones,
Merton College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, to
Charles Babbage reporting that one of the bottles he had sent
him in a basket had fallen out when he had unpacked it. The
paper sheet (174 mm h x 216 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'E T Jones'.
197/229/1-1/28 Letter, Reverend Richard Jones to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1845
One page hand written letter in black ink from the Reverend
Richard Jones, Tithe Commutation, London, England, to
Charles Babbage enclosing an item concerning Babbage's
nephew. He added that "His is not I fear a hopeful case but you
may like to know how the ground is occupied". The paper sheet
(180 mm h x 110 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'Rd Jones'.
197/229/1-1/29 Letter, J William King, 1st Earl of Lovelace, to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from J William King,
1st Earl of Lovelace, 4 Trinity Place, Charing Cross, London,
England, to Charles Babbage thanking Babbage for sending
him his book on logarithms. The letter is dated 27 September.
The paper sheet (197 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'J Wm King'.
197/229/1-1/30 Letter, Edward Solly to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 24
July 1852
One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward Solly,
Item Number BoxItem Title
Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Adelphi,
London, England, to Charles Babbage enclosing a manuscript
of Babbage's dated 1843. The letter is on the letter head of the
Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. The paper sheet
(202 mm h x 248 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed
'Edward Solly'.
197/229/1-1/31 Letter, Colonel Abbot Lawrence to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 15 September 1852
One page hand written letter in black ink from Colonel Abbot
Lawrence, Legation of the United States, London, England, to
Charles Babbage enclosing a copy of an address by the
Honourable R C Winthrop delivered before the alumni of
Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The letter
is on the letter head of the Legation of the United States,
London. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is unsigned.
197/229/1-1/32 Letter, Bishop John Jackson to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 26 October 1869
One page hand written letter in black ink from Bishop John
Jackson, Bishop of London, Fulham Palace, London, England,
to Charles Babbage appealing for funds for a church for the
poor in the district of the Reverend Vaughan. The letter is on
the letter head of Fulham Palace, the Bishop of London's
country retreat. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 115 mm w) has a
black border on three sides and was originally folded twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'J London'.
197/229/1-1/33 Letter, James Hudson to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
22 May 1832
One page hand written letter in black ink from James Hudson,
Assistant Secretary, Royal Society, London, England, to
Charles Babbage enclosing an advertising notice from the
'Philosophical Magazine' for inclusion in Babbage's publication
on manufacturing. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 230 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'James Hudson'.
197/229/1-1/34 Letter, Sir John William Lubbock to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John
William Lubbock to Charles Babbage concerning a Mr Perry
who had given Lubbock an incorrect address. The paper sheet
(183 mm h x 229 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'J W
Lubbock'.
197/229/1-1/35 Letter, C G Jarvis to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 17
June 1850
Item Number BoxItem Title
One page hand written letter in black ink from C G Jarvis, 27
Forston Street, Hoxton New Town, London, England, to
Charles Babbage notifying him of his address. The paper sheet
(183 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C. G.
Jarvis'.
197/229/1-1/36 Letter, Henry Hallam to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Henry Hallam
to Charles Babbage asking to bring a young lady who is a
friend of his daughter's to Babbage's house that evening. The
paper sheet (181 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'H Hallam'.
197/229/1-1/37 Letter, Charles Knight to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
31 July 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles
Knight, Ludgate, London, England, to Charles Babbage
concerning an account that he planned to finalise by sending
Babbage a cheque. On the other side of the folded sheet the
letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq'. There is also some
residue from a black wax seal. The paper sheet (184 mm h x
220 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Chas
Knight'.
197/229/1-1/38 Letter, Dionysius Lardner to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1835
One page hand letter in black ink from Dionysius Lardner, 36
Cambridge Terrace, London, England, to Charles Babbage
complaining about problems with his book 'The Economy of
Machinery and Manufactures' "disfigured by negligences and
the fault of the printers readers which might be able to be
looked after before the next reprint." The paper sheet (185 mm
h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Dion
Lardner'.
197/229/1-1/39 Letter, Sir Charles Lyell to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
29 March 1854
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Charles
Lyell, 2 Danube Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Charles
Babbage acknowledging receipt of a manuscript. The paper
sheet (180 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
unsigned.
197/229/1-1/40 Letter, Samuel Jones Loyd to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Item Number BoxItem Title
One page hand written letter in black ink from Samuel Jones
Loyd, New Norfolk Street, London, England, to Charles
Babbage asking that Babbage vote for his cousin Lewis Loyd to
join the Athenaeum Club at the next ballot. The letter is dated
9 April. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 221 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'S. J. Loyd'.
197/229/1-1/41 Letter, Humphrey Lloyd to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Humphrey
Lloyd, Cavendish Hotel, London, England, to Charles Babbage
accepting an invitation to attend an evening party at
Babbage's home. On the other side of the folded sheet the
letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St/ Manchester
Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The letter is
dated 20 April. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 226 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'H Lloyd'.
197/229/1-1/42 Letter, Conte de Pollon to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1835
One page hand written letter in black ink from Conte de
Pollon, Sardinian Envoy in London, 11 Grosvenor Street,
London, England, to Charles Babbage thanking him for
information that would be forwarded to Turin, Italy. The letter
is dated 18 June. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 228 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Pollon'.
197/229/1-1/43 Letter, Sir John William Lubbock to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John
William Lubbock to Charles Babbage stating that as it was
impossible to know what may take place on the Council
tomorrow, he suggested it was desirable "for as many
independent members as possible to be at the meeting
tomorrow night." The paper sheet (185 mm h x 225 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'J W Lubbock'.
197/229/1-1/44 Letter, Conte de Pollon to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1835
One page hand written letter in black ink from Conte de
Pollon, Sardinian Ambassador, 11 Grosvenor Street, London,
England, to Charles Babbage apologising for his inability to
call on him today "at the hour he mentioned" but he planned to
call "at the same hour tomorrow." The letter is dated 12 April.
The paper sheet (184 mm h x 227 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
unsigned.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/229/1-1/45 Letter, William Lonsdale to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from William
Lonsdale to Charles Babbage asking him to review Dr Fitton's
alterations by tomorrow as the printer "has promised to insert
the abstract in the magazine of next month." The letter is
dated 22 August. The paper sheet (184 mm h x 229 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Wm Lonsdale'.
197/229/1-1/46 Letter, Conte Carlo Pellion di Persano to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1855
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Conte Carlo
Pellion di Persano to Charles Babbage written from
Folkestone, Kent, England while en route to Italy informing
him that he had "just finished your valuable little book on the
principles of taxation". The letter is dated 24 March. The paper
sheet (177 mm h x 220 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'C. di Persano'.
197/229/1-1/47 Letter, Charles Manby to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
20 January 1852
One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles
Manby, Secretary, Institution of Civil Engineers, 25 Great
George Street, Westminster, London, England, to Charles
Babbage acknowledging receipt of a manuscript to be
submitted to council. Stamp of the Institution of Civil
Engineers in blue ink on upper left of letter. The paper sheet
(183 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C
Manby'.
197/229/1-1/48 Letter, Charles Manby to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
20 July 1854
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Charles
Manby, Secretary, Institution of Civil Engineers, 25 Great
George Street, Westminster, London, England, to Charles
Babbage advising Babbage to dissuade an unnamed lady from
applying for a patent. Stamp of the Institution of Civil
Engineers with the date in blue ink at the top of the letter. The
paper sheet (183 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'C Manby'.
197/229/1-1/49 Letter, Anthony Panizzi to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Anthony
Panizzi, British Museum, London, England, to Charles
Babbage apologising for not having informing him that "the
Item Number BoxItem Title
catalogue you wished to see was found five minutes after you
left my room. It is at your orders." The letter is dated 26
December. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'A Panizzi'.
197/229/1-1/50 Letter, Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Nicholas
Harris Nicolas to Charles Babbage stating that they hoped to
visit him this Saturday and Lady Nicolas "desires me to ask
your permission to bring a very intelligent young lady who is
extremely anxious to see the engine with her. May she do so?"
The letter is dated 23 February. The paper sheet (184 mm h x
224 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'N. Harris Nicolas'.
197/229/1-1/51 Letter, James Morrison to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from James
Morrison, Basildon, Berkshire, England, to Charles Babbage
stating that "I have just received the enclosed and am sorry I
have nothing better to report." It was sent on a Saturday at
3pm. The paper sheet (136 mm h x 186 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'J. Morrison'.
197/229/1-1/52 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from an unknown
correspondent to Charles Babbage confirming an appointment
about 2pm on the following Thursday. The paper sheet (178
mm h x 227 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage.
197/229/1-1/53 Letter, Lady Anne Elizabeth Cholmley Murray to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Anne
Elizabeth Cholmley Murray, Wimpole Street, London,
England, to Charles Babbage apologising for not attending a
function at Babbage's home as they were away. On the other
side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles
Babbage Esqr/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is
also an orange wax seal. The letter is dated 3 May. The paper
sheet (110 mm h x 177 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'Anne E C Murray'.
197/229/1-1/54 Letter, William Samuel Stratford to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from William
Samuel Stratford to Charles Babbage concerning certain
Item Number BoxItem Title
arrears. He also asks when his book on logarithms would be
published. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'W. S. Stratford'.
197/229/1-1/55 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 22
December 1859
Two page hand written letter in black ink from an unknown
correspondent to Charles Babbage requesting an appointment
at 4pm on the following day, Friday 23 December 1859, so that
Babbage could comment on his paper. The paper sheet (176
mm h x 220 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage.
197/229/1-1/56 Letter, Charles Richard Weld to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 18 March 1853
One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles
Richard Weld, Assistant Secretary, Royal Society, Somerset
House, London, England, to Charles Babbage acknowledging
receipt of his letter dated 21 February 1853. The letter is on
the letterhead of the Royal Society. The paper sheet (184 mm h
x 230 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C. R. Weld'.
197/229/1-1/57 Letter, Alexander Luard Wollaston to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, 27 December 1839
One page hand written letter in black ink from Alexander
Luard Wollaston, Middle Temple, London, England, to Charles
Babbage enclosing "An offering to your collection." On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles
Babbage Esqre/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is
also a broken red wax seal and two postmarks, one for The
Strand post office. The paper sheet (225 mm h x 365 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then four
times for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'A L
Wollaston'.
197/229/1-1/58 Letter, Catherine Maria Bury, Countess of Charleville, to
Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Catherine
Maria Bury, Countess of Charleville, London, England, to
Charles Babbage stating that she was suffering from influenza
which had "added to my causes of isolation" and that in terms
of Mrs Barclay illness, "she took the air today" and she hoped
to pay her respects on another occasion. One half of the folded
sheet has a black edging on all four sides. The paper sheet (180
mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Cath. Maria
Charleville'.
197/229/1-1/59 Letter, Reginald Courtenay to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Item Number BoxItem Title
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Reginald
Courtenay, Parthenon Club, London, England, to Charles
Babbage requesting an appointment with Babbage "to seek
your advice and opinion on a simple contrivance of mine for
measuring time." He added that "The plan has nothing to do
with my old gun crack for perpetual motion, though I have not
given that up". The paper sheet (185 mm h x 230 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Reginald Courtenay'.
197/229/1-1/60 Letter, Samuel Hunter Christie to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 9 May 1833
One page hand written letter in black ink from Samuel Hunter
Christie, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, England, to
Charles Babbage stating that "It would certainly afford me
much satisfaction to be present at all your conversations, but I
fear that being out of town, this will not be in my power. I
however hope to be able to avail myself of your invitation on
some of the occasions." On the other side of the folded sheet
the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre/ No 1. Dorset
Street/ Manchester Square'. There is also a red wax seal and a
postmark. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 234 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed. The letter is signed 'S. H. Christie'.
197/229/1-1/61 Letter, Thomas Frederick Colby to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 6 November 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas
Frederick Colby to Charles Babbage stating that as they had
received copies of Valentin Bagay�s "sines and tangents" and
"we shall feel much obliged if you will have the goodness to
expedite the supply of your logarithms which were ordered for
the survey in July last." The paper sheet (182 mm h x 230 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice
for postage. The letter is signed 'Thos. Colby'.
197/229/1-1/62 Letter, Thomas Frederick Colby to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 13 May 1830
One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas Colby
to Charles Babbage inviting him to dine at the Royal Society
Club that day "for the purpose of meeting my old friends." On
the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C.
Babbage Esq'. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 233 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then three times
for postage. The letter is signed 'Thos. Colby'.
197/229/1-1/63 Letter, Matthew Collins to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
5 March 1862
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Matthew
Collins, 21 Eden Quay, Dublin, Ireland, to Charles Babbage
enquiring whether he had received a copy of the 'Lady's,
Item Number BoxItem Title
Farmer's and Mathematical Almanac of 1862' which he had
posted to him five weeks ago. Collins had inserted an article on
central forces within it. He also asked whether Babbage had
read his tract on "duplicate equalities" which he had sent him
two years ago. Collins also asked Babbage for a testimonial as
he was "looking for any little mathematical situation that may
become vacant". He listed the people who had already provided
him with testimonials. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 226 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice
for postage. The letter is signed 'Matthw. Collins'.
197/229/1-1/64 Letter, Raikes Currie to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 16
March 1833
One page hand written letter in black ink from Raikes Currie,
Hyde Park Terrace, London, England, to Charles Babbage
thanking him for a copy of his book 'Economy of Manufactures'.
The paper sheet (227 mm h x 368 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'Raikes Currie'.
197/229/1-1/65 Letter, Charles Stokes to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
18 May 1842
One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles Stokes,
23 Threadneedle Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage
stating that he had proposed to send Babbage's "Indiana
coupons" from Liverpool, England, to Boston, Massachusetts,
USA, by steam boat on 1 July 1842 but instead he now
preferred to send them by the Great Western directly to New
York, New York, USA. Therefore he needed the coupons the
next day. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'C Stokes'.
197/229/1-1/66 Letter, Annie L Buxton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
19 December 1862
Four page hand written letter in black ink from Annie L
Buxton, 2 Sydney Street, Brompton, London, England, to
Charles Babbage in which she talks about his visit to the
Buxton's home [Harry Wilmot and Annie L Buxton] during
which he took one of their umbrellas and left his own in the
hall. The paper sheet (151 mm h x 186 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'Annie L Buxton'.
197/229/1-1/67 Letter, Decimus Burton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
16 February 1836
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Decimus
Burton, 6 Spring Gardens, London, England, to Charles
Babbage thanking him for his note returning the specifications
for a hot water system. In the letter he states that he had
ordered the water "to be laid on last week" and asks about the
process of installation. He apologised for not being able to come
Item Number BoxItem Title
to Babbage's home on Saturday 13 February 1836 but proposed
to visit on the following Saturday. He asked Babbage if he
might bring his brother James Burton who had just returned
to England after a long sojourn in Egypt as "I am anxious he
should meet with the elite who are to be always found at your
parties." The paper sheet (182 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'D Burton'.
197/229/1-1/68 Letter, Edward William Brayley to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 11 February 1860
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Edward
William Brayley, London Institution, Finsbury Circus, London,
England, to Charles Babbage enclosing a syllabus of the
lectures Brayley delivered at the London Institution, one of
which Babbage attended the previous evening. He also briefly
explained to Babbage his theory of the central heat of the
earth. The letter is on the letterhead of the London Institution.
The paper sheet (200 mm h x 250 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'E. W. Brayley'.
197/229/1-1/69 Letter, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Benjamin
Collins Brodie, 14 Savile Row, London, England, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to a dinner along with Dr and Mrs Fitton
at Broome Park, Betchworth, Surrey, England, on the
following Saturday. The letter is dated 16 August. The paper
sheet (182 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'B C Brodie'.
197/229/1-1/70 Letter, Fortunato Prandi to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Fortunato
Prandi, 46 Berners Street, London, England, to Charles
Babbage informing him that Edward Davies Davenport would
return to London on the following Monday. Davenport had said
that Babbage "would make him very happy by returning with
him to Capesthorne [Cheshire, England] to meet Mr and Mrs
[H H] Milman" next Saturday. The letter is dated 6 September.
The paper sheet (198 mm h x 255 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'F Prandi'.
197/229/1-1/71 Letter, James Bischoff to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
26 February 1833
One page hand written letter in black ink from James Bischoff,
Bucklersbury, London, England, to Charles Babbage
introducing his friend Raikes Currie who "is desirous of having
some conversation with you." On the other side of the folded
Item Number BoxItem Title
sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset
St/ Manchester Square'. The paper sheet (252 mm h x 400 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice
for postage. The letter is signed 'James Bischoff'.
197/229/1-1/72 Letter, Sarah Bowdich to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah
Bowdich, 35 Tavistock Place, Tavistock Square, London,
England, to Charles Babbage thanking him and his wife for
helping a Mr Tovar. She states that "the weather keeps me a
prisoner" and that all week she would be occupied drawing
some perishable flowers but "in the course of the week I hope
to be able to pay my respects in Devonshire Street." She also
asked Babbage to pass an enclosed item to Mr Coddington
[Rev. Henry Coddington] "for I do not like to make him pay
postage for such an important letter." The paper sheet (185
mm h x 111 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'S Bowdich'.
197/229/1-1/73 Letter, Sarah Bowdich to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah Bowdich,
35 Tavistock Place, Tavistock Square, London, England, to
Charles Babbage thanking him for "the very handsome letter
you have written in my cause." She also asked Babbage to
forward an enclosed item to "Mr Herschell" [sic] [Sir John
Frederick William Herschel] and sent her regards to Mrs
Babbage. The letter is dated 19 April. The paper sheet (185
mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'S Bowdich'.
197/229/1-1/74 Letter, Sir David Brewster to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir David
Brewster, 10 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Charles
Babbage stating that he had to go to Roxburghshire the
following day but hoped to see him on his return to Edinburgh
on Thursday. He also expressed regret that he had missed
Babbage that day when he had called at his lodgings. On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles
Babbage Esq/ Stewarts Lodgings/ 3 North St David Street'.
There is also residue of a red wax seal is on the other side of
the folded sheet. The paper sheet (200 mm h x 245 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'D Brewster'. The top
section of the other side of the folded sheet is missing as is an
area where the seal was originally located.
197/229/1-1/75 Letter, William Brougham to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, November 1831
Three page hand written letter in black ink from William
Item Number BoxItem Title
Brougham to Charles Babbage stating that it was highly
probable that H H Milham would be able to view the engine on
the following Sunday, 20 November 1831 between one and two
pm. Brougham said that he would let Babbage know before
hand but "you must give me the direction where to drive to." In
a postscript written on Tuesday 15 November 1831 he wrote,
"If you hear nothing further from me, you must conclude that
he will not come next Sunday." On the other side of the folded
sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset
St/ Manchester Sq'. There is also a broken red wax seal and
two post marks on the other side of the folded sheet. The paper
sheet (183 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'E W Brougham'.
197/229/1-1/76 Letter, James Ebenezer Bicheno to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 1 November 1842
Two page hand written letter in black ink from James
Ebenezer Bicheno, 12 Pall Mall, London, England, to Charles
Babbage thanking him for his "valedictory remembrances". He
also stated that he "really anticipated great pleasure from the
numerous souvenirs of my friends when I get to the other side
of the globe." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'J E Bicheno'.
197/229/1-1/77 Letter, Sir John Barton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
18 January 1829
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John
Barton, Royal Mint, London, England, to Charles Babbage
apologising for his inability to accept an invitation to see the
"ingenious contrivance" as he had been unexpectedly called out
of town. The paper sheet (202 mm h x 248 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'Jn Barton'.
197/229/1-1/78 Letter, Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Francis
Beaufort to Charles Babbage enclosing a letter written by
Babbage to an unnamed correspondent that Babbage had
inadvertently sent to Sir Francis. On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C Babbage Esqre/
Dorset St'. There is also a black wax seal. The letter is dated 5
October. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 231 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed. The letter is signed 'F Beaufort'.
197/229/1-1/79 Letter, William Ballantine to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 23 November 1866
Three page hand written letter in black ink from William
Ballantine, 250 High Holborn, Camden Town, London,
Item Number BoxItem Title
England, to Charles Babbage praising his work 'On the
Extension of the Franchise'. He wrote that "when the views
expressed in that tract are more extensively known, there will
be found thousands who will advocate them as being the best
calculated to settle a troublesome subject." Ballantine also
asked to be granted an interview. He concludes his letter by
stating that "My chief difficulty is the want of warm flannel
and a few other articles which at present I cannot command."
In a postscript Ballantine wrote: "The time to which I referred
in my letter was when a ms. [manuscript] was put into my
hands by a servant of yours. "Creedy" to whom I was well
disposed - This ms was examined by Miss Bathurst. This lady
made Creedy a present, but I rather the production was not
considered valuable." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'W B'.
197/229/1-1/80 Letter, Charles C Atkinson to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 13 January 1857
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Charles C
Atkinson, University College, London, England, to Charles
Babbage thanking him for a copy of his 'Analysis of Statistics
of the Clearing Houses'. He also hoped that Babbage would
visit the Graphic Society the next evening. The paper sheet
(182 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Chas.
C. Atkinson'.
197/229/1-1/81 Letter, Alexander Dallas Bache to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 4 July 1853
One page hand written letter in black ink from Alexander
Dallas Bache to Charles Babbage acknowledging receipt of 100
impressions of a wood cut of 'Difference Engine No. 1'. On the
upper right of the other side of the folded sheet Charles
Babbage has written in black in, 'E D Bache/ 4 July 1853'. The
paper sheet (175 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then three times for postage. The letter
is signed 'A. D. Bache'.
197/229/1-1/82 Letter, Alexander Dallas Bache to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Francis Baily,
37 Tavistock Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage
thanking him for a translation "which will answer my purpose
very well." He added, "I send you something that is not quite
so difficult to dissect; I hope it will not cost you so much
trouble." It appears that an accompanying item was sent in a
basket as on the other side of the folded sheet are the words
"with a basket" in red ink above Babbage's name and address.
On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to
'C. Babbage Esqr/ No 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'.
There is also a red wax seal on that side of the sheet. The
paper sheet (177 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in half for the
Item Number BoxItem Title
production of the letter then three times for postage and
sealed. The letter is signed 'Francis Baily'.
197/229/1-1/83 Letter, Admiral Alexander Bridgeport Becher to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 18 July 1860
One page hand written letter in black ink from Admiral
Alexander Bridgeport Becher, 13 Dorset Place, London,
England, to Charles Babbage thanking him for sending him
two books. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'A. B. Becher'.
197/229/1-1/84 Letter, R R Bate to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 13
December 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from R R Bate,
Poultry, London, England, to Charles Babbage concerning a
letter from a Babbage as well as a conversation that took place
between the two men "that you do not intend to canvass." He
added, "I have written my mother by this post to that effect - I
am much obliged by the trouble you have taken with Mr
Maynard. I have a person thoroughly recommended to me from
the country but will see Mr M. before I engage with that
person." The paper sheet (182 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.
The letter is signed 'R R Bate'.
197/229/1-1/85 Letter, Thomas Boys to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 17
June 1852
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas Boys,
52 Herbert Street, Shepherds Walk, London, England, to
Charles Babbage discussing his son's departure for Geelong,
Victoria, and offering to transport books for Babbage's sons
who were located in Adelaide, South Australia. Boys suggested
that the books be deposited with some responsible person at
Geelong before being transported to Adelaide. The ship, the
'Nepaul', was due to depart on 1 July 1852 and luggage had to
be on board by 25 June 1852. The paper sheet (184 mm h x 228
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Thomas Boys'.
197/229/1-1/86 Letter, Edward Janson Junior to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 19 April 1835
One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward Janson
Junior, Lawrence Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage
thanking him for the loan of two books. The paper sheet (184
mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Edwd Janson
Junr'.
197/229/1-1/87 Letter, Timothy Abraham Curtis to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 17 November 1835
Item Number BoxItem Title
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Timothy
Abraham Curtis, Bank of England, London, England, to
Charles Babbage with a request that he conclude business
with a Mr Oldham, possibly the engineer John Oldham. Curtin
concluded the letter by stating that "If it is at all inconvenient
to you to come to the Bank I will most willingly wait upon
you." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'T. A. Curtis'.
197/229/1-1/88 Letter, Sir George Biddell Airy to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 19 September 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir George
Biddell Airy, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, England, to
Charles Babbage enclosing a copy of the 'Greenwich
Observations 1848'. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'G B Airy'.
197/229/1-1/89 Letter, François Jean Dominique Arago to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 3 April 1835
Two page hand written letter in black ink from François Jean
Dominique Arago to Charles Babbage recommending the work
of Jean-François Sudre who had created a musical language
[Solresol]. The letter is written in French. On the other side of
the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Monsieur/ Monsieur
Babbage/ membre de la Societe Royale/ Londres'. The paper
sheet (235 mm h x 360 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then four times for postage. The letter
is signed 'F. Arago'.
197/229/1-1/90 Letter, Richard Abbott to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 8
December 1832
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Richard
Abbott, Grove House, Tottenham, London, England, to Charles
Babbage while Abbott was visiting Stoke Newington. In the
letter Abbott asks Babbage to support his application to be a
fellow of the Astronomical Society of London. He had already
secured the support of his friend William Allen of Stoke
Newington. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre/ Dorset Street/
Manchester Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal and a
number of post marks. The paper sheet (227 mm h x 374 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then four
times for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Richard
Abbott'.
197/229/1-1/91 Letter, M K Knight to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 14
June 1836
Two page hand written letter in black ink from M K Knight,
Secretary, Office of West Middlesex Water Works, New Road,
London, England, to Charles Babbage replying to Babbage's
Item Number BoxItem Title
letter of 1 June 1836 requesting a reduction in his water rates.
Knight explained "that water rates for private houses are not
calculated on the number in family, nor on the quantity of
water used" but on the size of the property. The paper sheet
(255 mm h x 400 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then three times for postage. The letter is signed
'M K Knight'.
197/229/1-1/92 Letter, Thomas Lawrence to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, 6 January 1843
One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas
Lawrence, General Post Office, London, England, to Charles
Babbage replying to Babbage's letter of 31 December 1842
regarding the rate of 19 shillings charged to him for some
French pamphlets. In relation to another enquiry in his letter
he was told that "East Indian newspapers cannot be redirected
and forwarded from England to Rome, without the previous
payment of full letter rates of postage." On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1
Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is also a post mark
dated 6 January 1843 and residue of a red wax seal. A section
of the sheet is missing where it appears the red wax seal was
originally place. The paper sheet (320 mm h x 400 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then three times
for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Tho Lawrence'.
197/229/1-1/93 Letter, James Henry Keith Stewart to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 15 April 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from James Henry
Keith Stewart, the Treasury, London, England, to Charles
Babbage confirming an appointment on Monday 21 April 1843
at 2pm when he would bring two friends, Mr George and Mr
Evans, to Babbage's house. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 226
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
twice for postage. The letter is signed 'J Stewart'.
197/229/1-1/94 Letter, Thomas Bell to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil,
6 February 1852
One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas Bell,
Secretary, Royal Society of London, Somerset House, London,
England, to Charles Babbage thanking him for the donation of
three publications: 'The Exposition of 1851'; 'Laws of
Mechanical Notation'; and 'Notes respecting Lighthouses'. The
letter is written on a printed form letter produced by the Royal
Society. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester
Square'. There is also a red wax seal and two post marks, one
dated 6 February 1852. The paper sheet (252 mm h x 398 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then four
times for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Thomas
Bell'.
197/229/1-1/95 Letter, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Lord Ashley, to Charles
Item Number BoxItem Title
Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Anthony
Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (Lord Ashley), to
Charles Babbage arranging a meeting. On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1
Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is also a broken red
wax seal. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed. The letter is signed 'Ashley'.
197/229/1-1/96 Letter, Lady Catherine Stepney to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Catherine
Stepney to Charles Babbage regretting that he had missed two
of Babbage's soirees due to illness. The paper sheet (113 mm h
x 185 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The letter is signed
'C Stepney'.
197/229/1-1/97 Letter, Edward Cheshire to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
14 December 1852
One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward
Cheshire, Assistant Secretary, Statistical Society of London, 42
St James Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage
reminding him that he had not returned the book by Dr Hume
on learned societies lent to him on 13 May 1852. The letter is
on the letterhead of the Statistical Society of London. The
paper sheet (181 mm h x 113 mm w) was folded twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Edward Cheshire'.
197/229/1-1/98 Document, Charles Babbage�s notes describing the discussion
at the Duchess of Somerset�s dinner party, paper/ink/pencil,
21 September 1859
Two page document in black ink presumably written by
Charles Babbage describing the discussion at a dinner party
hosted by the Duchess of Somerset concerning a haunch of
venison sent by Lord Panmure. Babbage lists the guests as: the
Duchess of Somerset; the Spanish Ambassador Xavier de
Isturiz; Mrs Falconer; Colonel Francis Seymour (Scots Fusilier
Guards); Mrs Brown (Lord Panmure's sister-in-law); Colonel
Brown; Lady Charles Clinton; Prince Vogorides; and Charles
Babbage. The notes read: "Friday 21 September 1859/
Dined in Park Lane met some of the Duchess/ of Somerset's
friends/
"to discuss a haunch of venison"/ "sent by Lord Panmure"/
After the first course the Duchess asked/ "if Lord Panmure had
arrived"/ to which the butler replied that the haunch of/
venison was on the side table. Her Grace/ ordered it to be
brought forward for her/ inspection. Two attendants/ carried,
on an [?] silver dish, the/ magnificent and well cooked haunch
to the/ side of Her Grace's chair./ The Duchess then desired
them "to show/ him up" in order that all her friends might/
Item Number BoxItem Title
enjoy the agreeable sight./
After various well deserved compliments/ paid by the company,
Her Grace addressing/ one silent friend said/ "Well Mr ___
what do you think of Lord Panmure"/ Mr ____ replied/ "I
confess I feel some slight compunction/ at being one of a party
before which our/ excellent friend has got a rich dressing and
been shown up done brown."/
To this Mr ___'s neighbour Colonel ____ added/
"Notwithstanding that I now hope he may get well"/ "served
out.""
The text has pencil annotations, some of which are possibly in
Babbage's hand.
197/229/1-1/99 Letter, Miss Wrey to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 9
October 1854
Six page hand written letter in black ink from Miss Wrey to
Charles Babbage thanking him for his kindness in relation to
what appears to be a financial matter concerning the rent on a
house owned by Babbage for which her "tenants are much in
arrears." Miss Wrey also provides Babbage with a long
explanation about her financial situation. On the lower right of
the last page in black ink Charles Babbage wrote "Miss Wrey".
Underneath this in pencil is the number "54". The letter
consists of two paper sheets (182 mm h x 225 mm w and 182
mm h x 113 mm w). The first sheet was folded in half for the
production of the letter. The second sheet was placed inside the
first then the letter was folded twice for postage
197/229/1-1/100 Letter, Sylvain Van de Weyer to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sylvain Van de
Weyer to Charles Babbage thanking him for his kind note. He
added, "I have written to C. on the subject, & the decision will
be communicated to you for Mr Thompson, as soon as it
reaches me." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 220 mm w) has
black edging on all four sides. It was folded in half for the
production of the letter and then twice for postage. The letter
is signed 'Sylvain Van de Weyer'.
197/229/1-1/101 Letter, John Taylor to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 9
May 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from John Taylor,
Chatham Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage
enclosing what Taylor hoped "will supply what you want". He
also mentioned he was leaving London that day for Wales and
would return in between 10 and 14 days time. The paper sheet
(200 mm h x 250 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'John
Taylor'.
Item Number BoxItem Title
197/229/1-1/102 Letter, William Otter to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 3
June 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from William Otter,
Stockwell, London, England, to Charles Babbage accepting an
invitation for him and Mrs Otter to attend a function at
Babbage's home on Saturday evening 7 June 1834 but
apologising for their expected late arrival. The paper sheet
(200 mm h x 250 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'W.
Otter'.
197/229/1-1/103 Letter, Andrew Stevenson to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in pencil from Andrew
Stevenson, 23 Portland Place, London, England, to Charles
Babbage requesting Mr Currie's Christian name and his
address near Birmingham. The paper sheet (121 mm h x 198
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
once for postage. The letter is unsigned.
197/229/1-1/104 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from unknown to
Charles Babbage enclosing two letters. The paper sheet (121
mm h x 152 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter.
197/229/1-1/105 Letter, Sir James South to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir James
South to Charles Babbage regarding a change of appointment.
The sheet has a black border on all four sides. On the other
side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To/ Charles
Babbage Esq FRS/ No 1 Dorset St/ Manchester Square'. There
is also a black wax seal. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice
for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'J South'.
197/229/1-1/106 Letter, Henry Pelham Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of
Newcastle-under-Lyne, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
14 May 1860
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Henry
Pelham Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne,
Colonial Office, London, England, to Charles Babbage stating
that he was in receipt of a strong recommendation from Sir
Henry Barkly, Governor of Victoria, that Babbage's son,
Benjamin Herschel Babbage, as Master of the Mint in
Melbourne, Victoria. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 227 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Newcastle'.
197/229/1-1/107 Letter, Joseph Hume to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 19
Item Number BoxItem Title
March 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from Joseph Hume,
Bryanston Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage
stating that he was engaged at 10 am on Thursday 20 March
1834 but could meet Babbage on Saturday 22 March 1834 at
the same time. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 228 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is unsigned.
197/229/1-1/108 Letter, The Reverend John Barlow to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 16 June 1847
One page hand written letter in black ink from The Reverend
John Barlow, 5 Berkeley St, Piccadilly, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Friday 25 June
1847. The letter is dated 16 June. The paper sheet (153 mm h x
196 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'John Barlow'.
197/229/1-1/109 Letter, The Reverend John Barlow to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Three page hand written letter in black ink from John Barlow,
Secretary, Royal Institution of Great Britain, London,
England, to Charles Babbage discussing the embezzlement of
funds by the Institution's Assistant Secretary Joseph Fincher
as well as information about seats he had reserved for him.
The paper sheet (107 mm h x 170 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then once for postage. The letter is
signed 'John Barlow'.
197/229/1-1/110 Letter, Thomas Barnes to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
26 February 1834
One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas
Barnes, 49 Nelson Square, Southwark, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Saturday 8 March
1834 at 6:45 pm. The paper sheet (210 mm h x 268 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'T Barnes'.
197/229/1-1/111 Letter, Mary Berry to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil,
c. 1850
One page hand written note in black ink from Mary Berry,
Curzon Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting
him to visit them that evening. On the other side of the folded
sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq./ No. 1
Dorset Street'. There is also a red wax seal. The paper sheet
(113 mm h x 180 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is
signed 'M Berry'.
197/229/1-1/112 Letter, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 2 January 1834
Item Number BoxItem Title
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Benjamin
Collins Brodie, 14 Savile Row, London, England, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to dinner on Wednesday January 1834 at
7pm. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 227 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'B C Brodie'.
197/229/1-1/113 Letter, Sir George Cayley to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir George
Cayley, 20 Hertford Street, Mayfair, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Wednesday the
31st at 7pm. He also asks Babbage whether he has seen
Corder and Locke's condensing steam engine at Surrey Docks.
The paper sheet (178 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'Geo Cayley'.
197/229/1-1/114 Letter, Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 29 February 1852
One page hand written letter in black ink from Angela
Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts,
Stratton Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting
him to dinner on Monday 1 March 1852. The paper sheet (108
mm h x 180 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'A G B
Coutts'.
197/229/1-1/115 Letter, Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 6 July 1841
One page hand written letter in black ink from Angela
Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts,
Stratton Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting
him to dinner on Thursday 8 July 1841 at 7pm. The paper
sheet (111 mm h x 184 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is
unsigned.
197/229/1-1/116 Letter, Lady Elizabeth Susan Colchester to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Elizabeth
Susan Colchester, 33 South Street, Westminster, London,
England, to Charles Babbage apologising for not being able to
come to his house the previous evening as their friends stayed
after dinner longer than expected. The paper sheet (131 mm h
x 174 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then once for postage. The letter is signed 'Elizth S.
Colchester'.
197/229/1-1/117 Letter, Lady Henrietta Georgiana Marcia Lascelles Chatterton
to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Item Number BoxItem Title
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Lady
Henrietta Georgiana Marcia Lascelles Chatterton, 10 Berkeley
Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to
dinner that evening to meet their friend Mr St Leger who had
just returned from Spain. The paper sheet (103 mm h x 156
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
once for postage. The letter is signed 'Georgina Chatterton'.
197/229/1-1/118 Letter, Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 27 June 1827
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Francis
Leggatt Chantrey, Belgrave Place, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Monday 2 July
1827. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq./ 5 Devonshire St/ Portland
Square'. The paper sheet (111 mm h x 181 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then once for postage.
The letter is signed 'F Chantrey'.
197/229/1-1/119 Letter, William Frederick Chambers to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 14 December 1841
One page hand written letter in black ink from William
Frederick Chambers, 46 Brook Street, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Wednesday 22
December 1841 at 7pm. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then again
for postage. The letter is signed 'W F Chambers'.
197/229/1-1/120 Letter, Sir James Wigram to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 1 April 1843
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir James
Wigram, 60 Portland Place, London, England, to Charles
Babbage enquiring if he planned to attend the Graphic Society
on Wednesday 12 April 1843 he hoped that he would join a
party for a dinner at his home "who have the same intention."
On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to
'Chas Babbage Esq'. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 225 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then once for
postage. The letter is signed 'James Wigram'.
197/229/1-1/121 Letter, A Warren to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from A Warren,
Bedford Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage
accepting an invitation to attend a function at Babbage's home
on Saturday evening. He and his wife had already accepted an
invitation to dine out but would arrive soon after 10pm. On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles
Babbage Esqre/ Dorset Street'. There is also a broken black
wax seal. The letter is dated 10 March. The paper sheet (112
mm h x 182 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'A.
Item Number BoxItem Title
Warren'.
197/229/1-1/122 Letter, Sylvain Van de Weyer to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 10 February 1836
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sylvain Van de
Weyer, 17 Fish Row Square, London, England, to Charles
Babbage accepting an invitation to attend a function at
Babbage's home on Saturday evening 13 February 1836 "tho' I
may be late." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 230 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Sylvain Van de Weyer'.
197/229/1-1/123 Letter, Mary Somerville to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1835
One page hand written letter in black ink from Mary
Somerville, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to dine with her and her
husband on Friday 1 July at 7pm. The letter is dated 25 June.
The paper sheet (178 mm h x 110 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then three times for postage. The
letter is signed 'Mary Somerville'.
197/229/1-1/124 Letter, Richard Wellesley Rothman to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Richard
Wellesley Rothman, St James Square, London, England, to
Charles Babbage informing Babbage that he would be going to
Richmond with a party on Saturday but expected to return in
time to attend his soiree. On the other side of the folded sheet
the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esqr/ 1. Dorset Street/
Manchester Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The
paper sheet (178 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'R W Rothman'.
197/229/1-1/125 Letter, Sir James South to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir James
South, 28 Portland Place, London, England, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to a function at his home on the
following Thursday. The paper sheet (130 mm h x 170 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'J South'.
197/229/1-1/126 Letter, Sir James South to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,
c. 1840
One page hand written note in black ink from Sir James South
to Charles Babbage informing him that a review of his book
had appeared in last Saturday's 'Literary Gazette'. On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To/ C.
Babbage Esq/ (JS)'. The paper sheet (112 mm h x 183 mm w)
Item Number BoxItem Title
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'J South'.
197/229/1-1/127 Letter, William Smith to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1835
One page hand written letter in black ink from William Smith,
5 Blandford Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage
inviting him to a dinner on Friday 30 May at 6:30 pm. On the
other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C.
Babbage Esq/ Dorset St'. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 128 mm
w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then a
number of times for postage. The letter is signed 'Wm Smith'.
197/229/1-1/128 Letter, member of the Stanhope family to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1835
One page hand written letter in black ink from a member of
the Stanhope family, the earls of Harrington, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to come to the Duke of Bedford�s box at
Drury Lane on Monday the 28th.
197/229/1-1/129 Letter, Lady Christine Dudley Stuart to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Christine
Dudley Stuart, 17 Wilton Crescent, Belgravia, London,
England, to Charles Babbage. The letter written in French
apologises for her inability to attend his soiree due to ill health
although she hoped to see him at her house on Wednesday. On
the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To Mr
Babbage/ 1 Dorset St/ Manchester Square'. There is also a red
wax seal. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed. The letter is signed 'CDS'. It reads: "My dear
Babbage
I am writing to you from my bed where I have been sick for a
few days. I am sorry I wasn't able to come to your party. I
hope to see you at my place on Wednesday.
CDS
Sunday
17 Wilton Crescent."
197/229/1-1/130 Letter, Edward Adolphus St. Maur, 11th Duke of Somerset, to
Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 10 November 1824
One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward
Adolphus St. Maur, 11th Duke of Somerset, Park Lane,
London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to a dinner
to be held on Friday 12 November 1824 at 6pm. On the other
side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage
Esq/ 5 Devonshire Street/ Portland Place'. There is also a
broken red wax seal. The paper sheet (235 mm h x 228 mm w)
Item Number BoxItem Title
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Somerset'. A section of
sheet has been cut.
197/229/1-1/131 Letter, Edward Adolphus Seymour, 12th Duke of Somerset, to
Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Edward
Adolphus Seymour, Park Lane, London, England, to Charles
Babbage apologising for having missed him as he was going
out of town for a few days but inviting him to dinner on the
following Wednesday at 6pm. On the other side of the folded
sheet the letter is addressed to 'Babbage Esq/ 5 Devonshire
Street'. There is also a black wax seal. The paper sheet (178
mm h x 223 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed
'Seymour'. A section of the letter has been torn.
197/229/1-1/132 Letter, Samuel Rogers to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Samuel Rogers,
St James' Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting
him to dinner the next evening. On the other side of the folded
sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq'. There is
also a broken black wax seal. Various mathematical
calculations in pencil are also on the back of the sheet. The
paper sheet (187 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'Saml Rogers'.
197/229/1-1/133 Letter, Sarah Rogers to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah Rogers,
St James' Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting
him to dinner on Monday the 4th at 6:30pm. The paper sheet
(107 mm h x 184 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'S.
Rogers'.
197/229/1-1/134 Letter, Sarah Rogers to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah Rogers,
St James' Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting
him to breakfast on Sunday at 10:15 am. The paper sheet (111
mm h x 184 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'S. Rogers'.
197/229/1-1/135 Letter, Mary Robinson to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Mary
Robinson, Richmond, Surrey, England, to Charles Babbage
sending him some flowers for "your pretty glass table". She
Item Number BoxItem Title
also hopes that he is feeling better unlike her father who was
her guest although suffering neuralgia. She also asks if he has
read volume 1 of Lister's life which contains other "pleasant
notices" by Samuel Rogers and other friends. The letter is
dated 24 July. The paper sheet (177 mm h x 227 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage. The letter is signed 'Mary Robinson'.
197/229/1-1/136 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 7
April 1833
One page hand written letter in black ink from unknown, 23
Queen Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage thanking
him for his cards regarding the 11th and 18th of April. On the
11th he needed to go to Brighton to see an invalided friend and
on the 18th he had promised to accompany his wife to a dinner.
On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to
'Charles Babbage Esq/ Dorset St/ Manchester Sqre'. There is
also a broken red wax seal and a post mark. The paper sheet
(185 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then twice for postage and sealed.
197/229/1-1/137 Letter, Juliet Pollock to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Juliet Pollock,
59 Montagu Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage
inviting him to dinner on the following Friday at 7:15pm. The
dinner party would include Mr Herries [probably John Charles
Herries]. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre/ Dorset St/ Manchester
Square'. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then a number of times
for postage. The letter is signed 'Juliet Pollock'.
197/229/1-1/138 Letter, Thomas Paynter to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas
Paynter to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the
following Saturday at 6pm where the party would include Dr
Arnott [probably Dr Archibald Arnott]. On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre'.
There is also a broken red wax seal. The letter is dated 30
May. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage and
sealed. The letter is signed 'Thomas Paynter'.
197/229/1-1/139 Letter, Sarah B Payne to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah B Payne,
27 Curzon Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage
inviting him to "drink tea" next Tuesday evening the 11th with
a "choice" half dozen people. On the other side of the folded
sheet the letter is addressed to 'Chs Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset St/
Item Number BoxItem Title
Manchester Sq'. There is also a broken grey wax seal. The
paper sheet (152 mm h x 195 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'Sarah B Payne'.
197/229/1-1/140 Letter, Sir William Edward Parry to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 16 February 1839
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir William
Edward Parry, 6 Devonshire Place, London, England, to
Charles Babbage apologising for not being able to accept a
dinner invitation for that evening as they were going to
Hampstead for two or three days and "that Lady Parry's state
of health prevents her from going out at present to any evening
parties." The paper sheet (190 mm h x 231 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed. The letter is signed 'W Parry'.
197/229/1-1/141 Letter, Lady Louisa Murray to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Louisa
Murray, Green Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage
apologising that she and Miss Murray were not able to attend
his party on Saturday evening as they returned to London on
Friday "and were so much fatigued by the heat of the weather"
and a ball that evening "that they could not venture out on
Saturday evening". The paper sheet (135 mm h x 175 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for
postage and sealed. The letter is unsigned.
197/229/1-1/142 Letter, 'F M' to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from 'F M' [possibly
Francis Offley Martin] to Charles Babbage asking him to delay
his departure until Monday as he could not go until then
because of other commitments. On the other side of the folded
sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St/
Manchester/ Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The
paper sheet (183 mm h x 220 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'F.M.'
197/229/1-1/143 Letter, Harriet Martineau to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Harriet
Martineau to Charles Babbage stating that she was engaged
on 29 April "but on May 6th I do hope to have the pleasure of
visiting you." The paper sheet (115 mm h x 184 mm w) was
folded in half for the production of the letter then again for
postage. The letter is signed 'H. Martineau'.
197/229/1-1/144 Letter, Lady Sydney Morgan to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Item Number BoxItem Title
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Sydney
Morgan to Charles Babbage inviting him to her Temperance
Society party on Sunday the 12th. The paper sheet (111 mm h
x 182 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter
then again for postage. The letter is signed 'Sydney Morgan'.
197/229/1-1/145 Letter, Thomas Longman to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, 4 November 1843
One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas
Longman, 2 Hanover Terrace, London, England, to Charles
Babbage stating that he would either see him on that day at
Paternoster Row or on Monday between three and five o'clock.
Alternatively he could call on him any afternoon at six o'clock.
The paper sheet (180 mm h x 227 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter
has a black border on all four sides and is signed 'Thomas
Longman'.
197/229/1-1/146 Letter, Sir William Henry Maule to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir William
Henry Maule to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on
Friday 9 December at 6:30pm. The letter is dated 6 December.
The paper sheet (180 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'W H Maule'.
197/229/1-1/147 Letter, Katherine Elizabeth Wellesley-Pole, Lady
Maryborough, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Katherine
Elizabeth Wellesley-Pole, Lady Maryborough, to Charles
Babbage apologising for her inability to attend his soiree due
to a bout of influenza. The paper sheet (111 mm h x 180 mm w)
was folded in half for the production of the letter then again for
postage. The letter is unsigned.
197/229/1-1/148 Letter, Lady Mary Elizabeth Lyell to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Mary
Elizabeth Lyell, 16 North Bloomsbury Square, London,
England, to Charles Babbage asking him to call at her home
tomorrow afternoon to talk about going to Mr Ward's. The
paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'Mary E. Lyell'.
197/229/1-1/149 Letter, Sir Charles Lyell to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Charles
Lyell to Charles Babbage inviting him tea on Friday the 6th at
8pm. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
Item Number BoxItem Title
addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset St/ Manchester/ Sq'.
There is also a broken red wax seal. The paper sheet (187 mm
h x 230 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed
'Cha Lyell'.
197/229/1-1/150 Letter, Sir John William Lubbock to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John
William Lubbock, St James's Place, London, England, to
Charles Babbage stating that he would have "great pleasure"
in meeting him on the following Wednesday at Prospect Place.
On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to
'C. Babbage Esq'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The
paper sheet (197 mm h x 249 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'J W Lubbock'.
197/229/1-1/151 Letter, Louisa Locke to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Louisa Locke,
Manchester Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage
enquiring at what time that morning he was holding his
function. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is
addressed 'To Charles Babbage Esqre'. There is also a black
wax seal. The paper sheet (126 mm h x 196 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage
and sealed. The letter is signed 'Louisa Locke'.
197/229/1-1/152 Letter, Lady Maria Theresa Lister to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840
One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Maria
Theresa Lister, Kent House, Knightsbridge, London, England,
to Charles Babbage inviting him to tea on Saturday 9th
December. The letter is dated 6 December. The paper sheet
(110 mm h x 176 mm w) was folded in half for the production
of the letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'M.
Theresa Lister'.
197/229/1-1/153 Invitation, Sir Robert Harry Inglis to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 28 December 1843
Printed and hand written invitation in black ink from Sir
Robert Harry Inglis, 7 Bedford Square, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to a function on Wednesday 10
January 1844 between 9 and 11pm. Details about the function
were written on a printed invitation. The paper sheet (183 mm
h x 226 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Robert H
Ingles'.
197/229/1-1/154 Letter, Anne Susanna Horner to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
Item Number BoxItem Title
One page hand written letter in black ink from Anne Susanna
Horner, 82 Wimpole Street, London, England, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to a function at their home on Monday
evening 4th of February before 9pm. The paper sheet (132 mm
h x 174 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Anne S.
Horner'.
197/229/1-1/155 Invitation, Lady Mary Frances Catherine Feilding to Charles
Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1860
Hand written invitation in black ink from Lady Mary Frances
Catherine Feilding to Charles Babbage inviting him to drink
tea in her room at five o'clock. The paper sheet (115 mm h x
180 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The letter is signed
'Mary F C Feilding'.
197/229/1-1/156 Letter, William Henry Fitton to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from William Henry
Fitton to Charles Babbage apologising for not calling on him
yesterday and hoping that he was in a condition to accept the
"Duchesses invitation". On the other side of the folded sheet
the letter is addressed to 'Ch. Babbage Esq./ 1 Dorset
Street/Manchester Square'. The sender's name, 'W.H. Fitton' is
also written on this side of the sheet. There is also a broken
red wax seal. The letter is dated 14 September. The paper
sheet (130 mm h x 170 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The
letter is signed 'W. H. Fitton'.
197/229/1-1/157 Letter, Edward Holland to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward
Holland to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner at their
house on Wednesday the 29th at 7pm. On the other side of the
folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Monsieur/ Monsieur
Babbage/ via del sole'. There is also a broken black wax seal.
The paper sheet (151 mm h x 182 mm w) was folded in half for
the production of the letter then twice for postage. It has black
edging on all four sides. The letter is signed 'Ed Holland'.
197/229/1-1/158 Letter, Sir William Snow Harris to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir William
Snow Harris, Athaneum Club, London, England, to Charles
Babbage accepting an invitation for that evening at 7pm. The
paper sheet (112 mm h x 178 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is
signed 'W S Harris'.
197/229/1-1/159 Letter, Sir John Gardner Wilkinson to Charles Babbage,
Item Number BoxItem Title
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John
Gardner Wilkinson, 33 York Street, London, England, to
Charles Babbage inviting him to breakfast on the following
Monday the 21st at 10:15am. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 145
mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then
again for postage. The letter is signed 'Gardner Wilkinson'.
197/229/1-1/160 Letter, George Bellas Greenough to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 31 January 1843
One page hand written letter in black ink from George Bellas
Greenough, Regents Park, London, England, to Charles
Babbage enclosing an extract from Sir Woodbine Parish's letter
and inviting him to a small party on Thursday night if he had
recovered. The paper sheet (109 mm h x 186 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the letter then again for postage.
The letter is signed 'G. B. Greenough'.
197/229/1-1/161 Letter, William Gowan to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from William
Gowan, 27 Upper Baker Street, London, England, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following Saturday at
6:30pm. The "enlightened and celebrated lady Mrs [Eliza]
Fletcher of Edinburgh" would be attending. On the other side
of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1
Dorset Street/Manchester Square'. There is also a red wax
seal. The paper sheet (190 mm h x 232 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage and
sealed. The letter is signed 'Wm Gowan'.
197/229/1-1/162 Letter, C Georgina Fox to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1850
Two page hand written letter in black ink from C Georgina Fox
to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following
Sunday at 7:45pm. Fox also states that Babbage had not been
well. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 226 mm w) has black
edging on all sides. It was folded in half for the production of
the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C.
Georgina Fox'.
197/229/1-1/163 Letter, Davies Gilbert to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 3
June 1833
One page hand written letter in black ink from Davies Gilbert
to Charles Babbage apologising for not calling on Saturday 1
June 1833 and stating that he must leave London tomorrow
morning, Tuesday 4 June 1833. The letter is signed 'Davies
Gilbert'.
197/229/1-1/164 Letter, Lady Mary Fox to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.
1840
Item Number BoxItem Title
Three page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Mary
Fox, 15 Pall Mall, London, England, to Charles Babbage
apologising for being out when he called and inviting him to an
early tea that evening. She also apologised for being out of
London when he held his recent soiree. The paper sheet (182
mm h x 232 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Mary Fox'.
197/229/1-1/165 Letter, Reverend Sydney Smith to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, 16 March 1836
One page hand written letter in black ink from Reverend
Sydney Smith, 33 Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London,
England, to Charles Babbage asking if he could bring Mrs
Smith to his party on Saturday evening. The paper sheet (112
mm h x 184 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the
letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'Sydney
Smith'.
197/229/1-1/166 Letter, B Dane to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
Three page hand written letter in blue ink from B Dane to
Charles Babbage apologising for not attending one of his
parties. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm w) was folded in
half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The
letter is signed 'B. Dane'.
197/229/1-1/167 With compliments slip, Edwin Chadwick to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840
With compliments slip in black ink from Edwin Chadwick to
Charles Babbage. The slip reads, "With/ Mr Chadwick's/
Compts". The paper sheet (113 mm h x 171 mm w) was folded
in half for the production of the slip
197/229/1-1/168 Letter, Lady Juliet Pollock to Charles Babbage,
paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850
One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Juliet
Pollock, 59 Montagu Square, London, England, to Charles
Babbage inviting him to a function at their home on
Wednesday evening 6 July between 9:30 and 11pm. She also
hoped that he had engaged a suitable servant. At the bottom of
the letter she also asked whether they would meet him at the
Groves on Saturday. The letter is dated 5 July. The paper
sheet (112 mm h x 178 mm w) was folded in half for the
production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is
signed 'Juliet Pollock'.