Khartoum 1898

An album bound in padded red leather with 'Khartum 1898' in gold on the front. The photographs have printed captions. The album documents Kitchener's campaign from the massing of forces in Egypt to the taking of Khartoum and includes the battles of Atbara and Omdurman. The photographs are of indifferent quality, but form an important historical record.

According to a letter from Lt. Gen. Sir Sidney Clive, 27 March 1956, the photographs were taken by a wealthy civilian named Francis Gregson who accompanied the expedition. However, other names have been put forward. (Clive's letter is kept with the album).

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Purchased from W. Smith for 30s., 1954.

Includes index.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

This collection is available on microfiche: Africa, fiche numbers 19-20.

Correspondence between the Royal Empire Society's Secretary-General and Lieut.-General Sir Sidney Clive is stored with the album.

Also kept with the album is a head and shoulders portrait of 'Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales'. Printed on silk (?) material, the portrait measures approximately 256 x 405 mm. Printed in the top left corner is: 'Supplement to 'The Gentlewoman', Christmas Number' and in the bottom right is: 'By gracious permission. From a portrait painted specially for 'The Gentlewoman' by Lafayette'. It is unclear whether this was once part of the photograph album.

This collection level description was entered by KS using information from the original typescript catalogue.

? Gregson, Francis, fl 1898, war correspondent