Letters of Sir Algernon Hawkins Thomond Keith-Falconer (1852-1930), 9th Earl of Kintore

The collection is composed of: a letter written on the notepaper of a dwelling in Lower Berkeley Street, W., and signed Kintore, pointing out that 'the best thing now to be done with my lad Arthur is to establish him somewhere abroad where he can have facilities for learning the language' and asking for recommendations about accommodation for him; a letter to Captain Walcot about a shooting permit at Strathalbyn, 1890; and, a letter written on the mid-Atlantic on the steamship Kaiserin Auguste Victoria (and written on Hamburg-Amerika Line notepaper) in February 1914, also signed Kintore. The letter is a small written snapshot describing the service and passengers on what was once the largest ship in the world (when launched in 1905). The vessel later became the Canadian Pacific ship Empress of Scotland.

Algernon Hawkins Thomond Keith-Falconer was born in Edinburgh on 12 August 1852. He was the eldest son of Francis Alexander (1828-1880), 8th Earl of Kintore, and Louisa Madaleine Hawkins. He was educated at Eton, and he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. He succeeded his father as 9th Earl of Kintore in 1880. He was Lord-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria, 1885-1886, and then Captain of the Yeoman Guard, 1886-1889. The Earl was appointed as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of South Australia in 1889, and served until 1895 when he became Lord-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria until her death in 1901. He was then Lord-in-Waiting to King Edward VII until 1905, and then Aide De Camp. He was Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords in 1913. Sir Algernon Hawkins Thomond Keith-Falconer, 9th Earl of Kintore, died on 3 March 1930.

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

Letter to Walcot, among purchases 13 May 1977, Accession no. E77.19

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Burke, Sir Bernard. and Burke Ashworth P. A genealogical and heraldic history of the peerage and baronetage, the Privy Council, and knightage. 87th edition. London: Burke's Peerage Ltd., 1929. (2) Who was who 1929-1940. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1941.

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.