Papers of Sir Charles Edward Grey (1785-1865) and the Grey family, 1642-1934

The papers of Sir Charles Grey contain a long series of general correspondence; some papers relating to Sir Charles's career as a colonial governor (including the West Indies) and Indian judge; a few personal papers and some family correspondence of Sir Charles. The collection also contains the papers of various members of the Grey family from different generations.

Sir Charles Edward Grey (1785-1865), was an Indian judge and colonial governor. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/specialcollections).

Given by Mrs. B.D. Rennison, 1986.

Collection level description created by Emily Tarrant, Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts.

A catalogue of the collection is available online at http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/specialcollectionswmss/online/online.htm.

Mrs. B.D. Rennison, a great-grandaughter of Sir Charles, owned the papers and in 1973 asked Surrey Record Office for advice about finding a permanent home for them. This was not decided until 1985 when a list of the papers was prepared by a member of staff from the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. It was agreed that the Bodleian Library should be approached as a suitable repository because of Sir Charles Grey's connection with the University (as a fellow of Oriel College).

Several items found within the collection and preserved separately are: a decorative leather visiting card wallet, n.d. (Janitor's List of Library Portraits and Objects 745); a lock of hair of George Sowley Holroyd, 1870 (Janitor's List of Library Portraits and Objects 746). Two printed items from the collection have been transfered to Rare Books: Inscriptions from the Waady El Muketteb, (London, 1832) - Vet. A6 c. 109 and A treatise on the cultivation and manufacture of the tobacco plant - Vet. KK5 d. 4.