Papers of David Beatty

This material is held atBodleian Library, University of Oxford

  • Reference
    • GB 161 MSS. Ind. Ocn. s. 286, t. 8
  • Dates of Creation
    • [1856], 1899-1954
  • Language of Material
    • English, and Chinese.
  • Physical Description
    • 3 boxes  The farewell address, 1926, written on silk and originally stored in a wooden box, was donated to the library in a large frame format, with degraded paper backing. The Conservation Section of the Bodleian Library undertook limited drycleaning, minor repairs, etc. in [March 1997], rehousing the item in a card box and placing a hollytex sheet against the silk to prevent abrasion when rolled. Future plans for the item's preservation include flat storage and remounting of the silk with new borders by an experienced Oriental conservator.

Scope and Content

Letters home from Canton and Christmas Island, with related photographs, press cuttings and farewell addresses, 1899-1954; transcript of journal of his father Robert Beatty's voyage to India, 1856.

Administrative / Biographical History

David Beatty (fl 1899-1952) served in Canton [1900-1904], Christmas Island [c1903-1904] and Singapore as a member of the Malayan Civil Service. He retired as Secretary for Chinese Affairs in Singapore in 1926.

Access Information

Bodleian reader's ticket required.

Note

Collection level description created by Paul Davidson, Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House.

Other Finding Aids

Listed as no. 662 in Manuscript Collections in Rhodes House Library Oxford, Accessions 1978-1994 (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1996).

Alternative Form Available

Copies of various photographs, etc. are held by the Christmas Island Natural History Association.

Conditions Governing Use

No reproduction or publication of personal papers without permission. Contact the library in the first instance.

Accruals

Miss D. Beatty donated the following items 

  • Farewell address from the Foochow Society of Singapore and the Chinese community of Sanchow, given to Beatty on his retirement as Secretary for Chinese Affairs in Singapore, 1926, donated [May 1985]
  • Copy of Malaya, December 1952, containing an account of Beatty's death, donated on 24th April 1985
  • Two letters from Beatty concerning the Chinese procession and Borneo exhibition during the visit of the Prince of Wales (Duke of Windsor) to Malaya in 1922, with request for photograph of Beatty by the Po Leung Kuh Committee, 1954, donated on 18th July 1985
  • Album of photographs including views of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao, donated in October 1985
  • Cuttings from the Supplement to the Strait[s] Budget, 30th September 1926, donated on [28th] February 1989