Newport Papers

Collection of letters and other papers relating to the public and private affairs of Sir John Newport (1756-1843), Irish Politician and Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer, banker and landowner. The bulk of the collection consists of some 250 letters, c 1765-c 1862, addressed to, and received from, some of the leading political figures in Ireland of the time commenting on some of the prominent issues of the day. Included are letters from William Conyngham Plunkett, Earl Grey, Lord Duncannon, Daniel OConnell, John V. Nugent, Thomas Spring Rice, Edward Stanley and Thomas Grenville discussing mainly Irish affairs, in particular highlighting the republican sentiments of the population and the disaffection felt throughout. References are also made to the general European situation and to British politics. Of the personal letters noted, two are from Newport's nephew, Simon, writing from Eton and enclosing some examples of Latin verse with others from Newport's mother, father and brother. Among the miscellaneous papers and memos are a list of books taken to London, a rental of the Bishop's Hall Estate, household expenses etc. The collection also includes a series of extracts from the records of the English Exchequer copied by Frederick Devon, c 1836 and consisting of miscellaneous accounts from the reigns of Richard I, Edward I, Oliver Cromwell, and Charles II. A copy of the original auctioneer's catalogue (Colbeck Radford&Company) of 1937, from which the collection was bought, is also to be found.

Sir John Newport (1756-1843), Irish Politician. b. Waterford, 1756. Educated at Eton. Volunteer delegate. MP for Waterford City, 1803-32. acting in consort with the Whigs. Irish Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1806-39. Steady supporter of Catholic Emancipation taking a very active part in parliamentary debates. Died in Waterford in 1843. [Source: Crone, Concise Dictionary of Irish Biography, 1928; Webb, Compendium of Irish Biography, 1878].

Open to consultation

Description compiled by Clare McVeigh (RASCAL Project, entered by Deirdre Wildy, Special Collections

Hard copy catalogue available. See 'Calendar of Manuscripts Western and Oriental' for details (MS7). This calendar is available for consultation in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Photocopying permitted depending on physical condition of the original and relevant copyright restrictions.

The Newport Papers are particularly noteworthy for its collection of letters dealing with the political life and affairs of 18th and early 19th century Ireland.

The Newport Papers were acquired by the University Library by purchase from the London auctioneer house, Colbeck, Radford&Company in 1937.

Closed.