Travel journal of Lydia Ann Nicholson

Scope and Content

Diary of Lydia Ann Nicholson consisting of notes made during a journey from Versailles to Florence between July 2 and August 17 1820. The writer travelled with her family through France and Switzerland and on to Italy. She describes the towns and villages through which they passed and comments on the dramatic scenery including the Jura Mountains with views of Mont Blanc. Their route took them through France via Fontainebleau, Geneva, Savoy and Thonon, making use of Napoleon's 'route militaire', then over the border into Switzerland and on to Italy where they travelled via Lake Maggiore to Milan and then Bologna, finally arriving in Florence in August.

Administrative / Biographical History

Little is known about the writer of the diary and her background. From the evidence within the journal it is probable she was a young woman in 1820 when she travelled around France and Italy with her parents.

Access Information

Open. Access to all registered researchers.

Other Finding Aids

Please see full catalogue for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Director of Special Collections (email: special-collections@contacts.bham.ac.uk). Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material

Custodial History

Former reference: MSS 4/v/12