MS 666
Reference code
MS 666
Title
Papers of Charles Kelsall
Level
Sub-fonds
Administrative / Biographical history
Charles Kelsall (1787 - 1857)
Charles Kelsall, author, poet, traveller and amateur architect was born in 1782, the son of Thomas Kelsall of Greenwich, a member of the council of the East India Company and his wife, Sarah. He was educated at Eton to the 6th form in 1799, and at Trinity College Cambridge from 1800 to 1803. After service in the Wiltshire Militia, Kelsall embarked on extensive travels and scholarship from 1807 until about 1835. During these years of travels, he visited 12 European countries, covering around 35 000 miles. He was an admirer of classical Greek architecture and an advocate of its incorporation into the teaching of English architects. He published works on classical subjects and also geography. In his Remarks Touching Geography Especially that of the British Isles (1822) he proposed a new division of the British Isles and Ireland into departments along French lines, with maps illustrating his divisions. He published an account of his travels under the name ‘Mela Britannicus’, Esquisse de mes travaux, de mes voyages, et de mes opinions (1830). He deposited a number of his works and the passports carried with him on his travels, to Eton College Library in 1834. In 1841 he moved to Hythe, near Southampton. He died at Nice in 1857. In his will he bequeathed further books and manuscripts to Morden College, south-east London.
Charles Kelsall, author, poet, traveller and amateur architect was born in 1782, the son of Thomas Kelsall of Greenwich, a member of the council of the East India Company and his wife, Sarah. He was educated at Eton to the 6th form in 1799, and at Trinity College Cambridge from 1800 to 1803. After service in the Wiltshire Militia, Kelsall embarked on extensive travels and scholarship from 1807 until about 1835. During these years of travels, he visited 12 European countries, covering around 35 000 miles. He was an admirer of classical Greek architecture and an advocate of its incorporation into the teaching of English architects. He published works on classical subjects and also geography. In his Remarks Touching Geography Especially that of the British Isles (1822) he proposed a new division of the British Isles and Ireland into departments along French lines, with maps illustrating his divisions. He published an account of his travels under the name ‘Mela Britannicus’, Esquisse de mes travaux, de mes voyages, et de mes opinions (1830). He deposited a number of his works and the passports carried with him on his travels, to Eton College Library in 1834. In 1841 he moved to Hythe, near Southampton. He died at Nice in 1857. In his will he bequeathed further books and manuscripts to Morden College, south-east London.
Date
1818 - 1841
Extent & medium
2 boxes and 2 rolls
Content description
A wooden box belonging to Charles Kelsall, originally containing his works (printed books, pamphlets and maps), a number of his personal passports carried with him on various journeys through 12 European countries, between 1816 and 1827 and covering letters to Eton College listing the items, with his comments and his desire that the box be occasionally opened to show visitors to Eton.
Provenance
Created and owned by Charles Kelsall and deposited in Eton College Library in 1834. Found (uncatalogued) in Eton College Library by then College Librarian, Paul Quarrie, some years before 1991.
Arrangement
Original order probably disturbed. Artificial order imposed by the archivist.
Associated material
In his will Kelsall deposited the remainder of his books and manuscripts (including sketchbooks, architectural drawings and literary works) to Morden College Archives, Blackheath, south-east London.
Seventeen books and pamphlets (some with inscriptions) originally deposited in Kelsall's wooden box have been removed and catalogued separately in Eton College Library's catalogue at Cr.2.2.08-19.
Seventeen books and pamphlets (some with inscriptions) originally deposited in Kelsall's wooden box have been removed and catalogued separately in Eton College Library's catalogue at Cr.2.2.08-19.
Publication note
Paul Quarrie, 'Kelsall's Box' in The Book Collector, 1991, Vol 40 No 3, pp 315-323
Location of this record in the archive hierarchy
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Number 43 of 107 at this Level
Beneath this record in the archive hierarchy
- Wooden box of Charles Kelsall, MS 666 01, (c.1834)
- Papers of Charles Kelsall: Covering letter and list of contents of wooden box, MS 666 02, (1830 - 1837)
- Papers of Charles Kelsall: Passports, MS 666 03, (1830 - 1837)
- Papers of Charles Kelsall: Printed maps, MS 666 04, (1822)
- Papers of Charles Kelsall: Printed music, MS 666 05, (1828)