Dictionary of East African biography

A wide range of material compiled in preparation for the D.E.A.B. A few letters and other items are in French, German and Italian.

In 1961 Sir John Gray (1889-1970), H.B. Thomas (1888-1971) and D.H. Simpson (1920-2002), R.C.S. Librarian, began collecting material for a Dictionary of East African biography. The dictionary, which was never published, concerned individuals active in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania prior to 1900.

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).

After the deaths of Sir John Gray and H.B. Thomas the papers relating to the dictionary became the property of A.T. Matson and D.H. Simpson, who presented them to the R.C.S. on indefinite loan.

Includes index.

Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 96.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

The H.B. Thomas collection in the R.C.S. Manuscripts Collection includes material relating to the D.E.A.B., RCMS 150/1/4/1 and RCMS 150/4.

This collection level description was created by RAS.

Various