Fonds GB 0096 AL40 - Combe, George: letter (1847)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0096 AL40

Title

Combe, George: letter (1847)

Date(s)

  • 1847 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

2 leaves

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

George Combe was born and educated in Edinburgh before practising as a lawyer. He first encountered phrenology in 1815 and, though initially sceptical, he and his brother Andrew soon became two of its leading exponents, co-founding the Edinburgh Phrenological Society in 1820. George Combe lectured extensively on phrenology and its relationships with religion, science, education and social systems, and wrote several books, including The Constitution of Man (1828). The actress Sarah Siddons was his mother-in-law.

Archival history

See archivist

GB 0096 AL40 1847 fonds 2 leaves Combe , George , 1788-1858 , phrenologist

George Combe was born and educated in Edinburgh before practising as a lawyer. He first encountered phrenology in 1815 and, though initially sceptical, he and his brother Andrew soon became two of its leading exponents, co-founding the Edinburgh Phrenological Society in 1820. George Combe lectured extensively on phrenology and its relationships with religion, science, education and social systems, and wrote several books, including The Constitution of Man (1828). The actress Sarah Siddons was his mother-in-law.

See archivist

Bought from Tregaskis in 1912 (about 2 months after Ludlow's books were sold at Hodgson's).

Letter from George Combe of 45 Melville Street, Edinburgh to Professor [Augustus] De Morgan, London, 10 May 1847. Referring to criticism levelled at Combe and De Morgan by Sir William Hamilton, of whom he writes: 'He is, I believe, a good husband, a good master to his servants, pays his debts honestly, and so forth: But he is notoriously quarrelsome, and not very scrupulous ... as to the mode in which he annoys his opponent'.

Headed: 'Confidential'. Autograph, with signature.

See hard copy catalogue.

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Please contact the University Archivist for details. 24 hours notice is required for research visits.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

English

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

On negative microfilm - reference: MIC 242/2

Compiled by Anya Turner.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
July 2008 Morgan , Augustus De , 1806-1871 , mathematician and historian x De Morgan , Augustus Hamilton , Sir , William , 1788-1856 , Knight , metaphysician Combe , George , 1788-1858 , phrenologist

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Bought from Tregaskis in 1912 (about 2 months after Ludlow's books were sold at Hodgson's).

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Letter from George Combe of 45 Melville Street, Edinburgh to Professor [Augustus] De Morgan, London, 10 May 1847. Referring to criticism levelled at Combe and De Morgan by Sir William Hamilton, of whom he writes: 'He is, I believe, a good husband, a good master to his servants, pays his debts honestly, and so forth: But he is notoriously quarrelsome, and not very scrupulous ... as to the mode in which he annoys his opponent'.

Headed: 'Confidential'. Autograph, with signature.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

See hard copy catalogue.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Please contact the University Archivist for details. 24 hours notice is required for research visits.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

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

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

On negative microfilm - reference: MIC 242/2

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Senate House Library, University of London

Rules and/or conventions used

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

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area