Journal of William Napier

A manuscript journal, a copy, and the script of a broadcast based upon it, with associated correspondence.

Captain (later Colonel) William Craig Emilius Napier (1818-1903) of the 25th Regiment, (later the King's Own Scottish Borderers), accompanied his father Sir George Napier (1784-1855) to the Cape on the latter's appointment as Governor in 1837. Sir George served until 1843.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Purchased 1913.

Includes index.

Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 123-124.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

Available on microfilm: Reel 10.

The material has been microfilmed, and is listed in: 'Africa through western eyes, parts 1 & 2: original manuscripts from the Royal Commonwealth Society Library at Cambridge University Library - a listing and guide to the microfilm collection' (2000), Adam Matthew Publications Ltd.

Professor Winifred Maxwell, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, was supplied with a microfilm and produced a typed transcript and also broadcast a talk on the journal on the South African Broadcasting Corporation, 1 October 1957. An amended version of this was issued as 'The Napier Journal', The Royal Commonwealth Society, Library Notes, New Series no. 11 (November 1957), p.1-3.

This collection level description was created by WS and MJC.

Napier, William Craig Emilius, 1818-1903, Major General