Papers of Robert Ernest Cheesman, 1921-1927, comprise sketch maps; notes on survey positions and altitudes, Abbai River, Abyssinia; correspondence, 1925-27; astronomical observations and meteorological notes made at oases in the eastern Najd, Arabia, 1923-24; extracts from diary; topographical sketches; astronomical observations; notes on vocabulary, 'Ojair to Salwa', Arabia, 1921.

The collection comprises manuscript notebooks, printed pamphlets, correspondence, a minute book, and photographic and other catalogues, 1768-1970. These notably include notebooks containing descriptions and viewing data relating to astronomical observations carried out at Kew Observatory, Richmond, Surrey, on behalf of King George III, with a printed pamphlet by Nevil Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal, entitled Observations of the transit of Venus over the Sun, 1768-1769; manuscript notebook containing measurements recorded during a test of the accuracy of the H5 chronometer designed by John Harrison, 1772; manuscript notebooks recording daily temperature, barometric, hygrometric and rainfall readings taken at Kew Observatory, Richmond, Surrey, 1773-1840; a printed pamphlet by George Atwood, Fellow of the Royal Society, entitled A Supplement to 'A treatise on the construction and properties of arches' (London, 1804), with manuscript dedication to King George III and related correspondence, 1804-1805; a folio signature book of visits by dignitaries to the George III Museum, 1843-1929; manuscript diary describing the work of the George III Museum including the upkeep of equipment and use of exhibits in experiments, 1850-1880; manuscript minutes of the George III Museum Committee charged with managing the collection, 1880-1885; catalogues relating to the collection, [1841-1970]; correspondence by George Calver, astronomer, relating to telescope design, 1897; series of copper plates and labels advertising the George III Museum, [1841-1926].

Papers of Professor James Dwyer McGee, 1937-1979, comprising biographical information; lectures and correspondence, 1954-1979, notably with Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett, 1955-1972, concerning Imperial College Physics Department and Anglo-Australian Observatory; Bertram Vivian Bowden, 1955-1963, concerning research work and workers; Carnegie Institute of Washington, 1960-1977, concerning McGee's Associateship, research grant; Denis Gabor, 1956-1972; Merle Walker, concerning the installation of a Spectracon, 1962-1979; Imperial College Rectors, 1955-1971; papers relating to Imperial College Physics Department, 1954-1972; papers relating to the Institute of Electrical Engineers, 1954-1968; Institute of Physics, 1965-1976; observatories in Britain and abroad, 1962-1975, including the Royal Greenwich Observatory; Royal Society, 1956-1972, notably concerning grants.

Minutes of Visitations of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, together with relevant extracts from the Minutes of the Council of the Royal Society.

Papers of Sir David Gill, [1870-1920], including approximately 1000 letters addressed to Gill, chiefly scientific in content, written in the 1870s and in the first decade of the 20th century; letters relating to awards and orders received by Gill, 1891-1913 and printed report on the initiation and progress of the geodetic survey of Rhodesia.

Papers of Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, 1905-1924, comprises twelve notebooks containing archaeological notes, plans of churches and other sites; records of inscriptions including those from Turkey, Iraq, and Syria; one notebook and folders containing astronomical observations from Arabia, 1913-1914 and a notebook by Lesley Gordon for an exhibition at the University of Newcastle, 1994.

Papers of Paul Belloni du Chaillu, 1864, comprise route notes, astronomical observations and calculations, Gabon, 1864; letter from Acra, 25 Aug 1863 and letter from Fernand-Vaz, 7 April 1864 reporting on journey to, and residence on, Fernand-Vaz river and library MSS letters, chiefly of a personal nature, to Sir George Black during the years 1848-1878.

Papers of Professor Raphael Meldola, [1866-1907], comprising notes on experiments in qualitative analysis at the Royal College of Chemistry, [1866]; physical lectures by Dr Tyndall, [1867]; course on physics by Dr Guthrie, 1873; notes as a Demonstrator at Science Schools, 1877-1878; research notes, 1879, 1900; diary of eclipse expedition, 1875; lecture notes on organic chemistry, 1885-1890, including coal tar products, 1890; laboratory notes, 1904-1906; correspondence concerning the portrait fund for Sir John Evans, 1899-1900; Perkin Memorial Fund, 1906-1907, including letters from several German chemists; correspondence about a Maccabeans Dinner, 1905; general correspondence, 1862-1915; correspondence concerning a memorial for Herbert Spencer, 1904-1908; and a memorial for James Sylvester, 1897-1900; correspondence on the subject of thinnings in Epping Forest, 1894-1895; a scientific autograph collection, 1864-1907; plus additional autographs and press cuttings 1889-1915.

Records of Imperial College Field Research Stations, comprising papers relating to Slough Field Station, Berkshire (Hurworth), including correspondence concerning purchase, 1927-1929; stored products research, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Empire Marketing Board, 1930-1933; building development scheme, 1936-1938; sale of land at Hurworth, Berkshire,1931-1949 (KZFA); correspondence concerning grants for fumigation research, construction of fumigation chamber, 1931-1938 (KZFB); correspondence with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research relating to Slough Field Station, 1939-1954, including research and accommodation arrangements (KZFD);
papers relating to Silwood Park Field Station, Berkshire, 1838-1990, including history, 1947-1990; sale particulars of the estate, 1838 (KZF); correspondence concerning purchase, 1944-1945; academic development, 1947-1953; purchase and letting of Silwood Park Farm, 1951-1957; land development, 1956-1968; Botany Department laboratory space, 1957-1958; Rectors' correspondence, 1965-1976; Sirex Biological Control Unit, 1963-1966; radar tower, 1962-1965; general files, 1971-1986; lease of land for an astronomical observatory, 1948-1959 (KZFG); papers relating to Silwood Park Open Days, 1972, 1989 (KZFH); expansion, 1955-1965, including Shell Parasitology building, 1959-1961; Nematology building, 1955-1961; Rectors' papers, 1955-1965 (KZFK); sale catalogues for Silwood Park, 1944; Ashurst Lodge, Berkshire, 1939 (KZFL); reports on the Overseas Spraying Machinery Centre, Silwood Park, 1955-1980 (KZFO); Silwood Centre for Pest Management, 1984-[1986] (KZFP); correspondence on the purchase of Sandyride House, 1969-1970 (KZFS); development schemes for Silwood Park, 1984 (KZFT);
manorial records for Silwood Park, including court roll of the manor of Sunninghill, 1616-1790 (KZFM);
papers relating to Harlington athletics ground, Middlesex, 1937-1957, including the Development Committee, 1937-1944; purchase and sale of land, 1936-1956 (KZFG7).

Letters of Nevil Maskelyne on astronomy.

Letters and papers about the affairs of the Greenwich Observatory in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.