Letters of Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce (1838-1916) 5th Baron Thurlow

The collection is composed of: letter accepting invitation; letter from Thurlow at Chesham Place, London SW, to G. J. Brackenridge, recommending Captain Caroick as 'a thorough gentleman and very agreeable companion also highly intelligent and active in mind and body', the letter appears to have become exhibit 'F' in a case (Duke v. West) before the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, 1873; and, letter from Egerton Crescent, London SW, to Taynmouth Shore, in which Thurlow supposes that 'the investment is all right as Coutts has probably selected it'

Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce was born on 5 December 1838. He entered the Diplomatic Service in 1858 and served at the British Embassies in Stockholm and Paris. He participated in the Earl of Elgin's mission to China, 1860-1861, and was present at the capture of the Taku Forts and of Peking (Beijing). He was Private Secretary to the Viceroy of India (the Earl of Elgin), 1862-1863, then 3rd Secretary in Vienna, 1864, before becoming Private Secretary to the Minister in Washington, 1865-1866. He was then 2nd Secretary at The Hague. He succeeded to the Barony of Thurlow in 1874. Thurlow had married Lady Elma Bruce, daughter of the 8th Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce, 5th Baron Thurlow, died in 1916.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Among miscellaneous letters, purchased from E. Hall, February 1976, Accession no. E76.8.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who 1916-1928. 3rd edition. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1962.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: official correspondence and papers as private Secretary to Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, 1862-1863, British Library, Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections, Ref. MSS Eur F 83 NRA 6185 Bruce