Elof Benson collection

The collection comprises of material relating to the United States Sealing Voyage, 1819-1820 (Captain James P Sheffield)

Elof Benson (Berndtson) was a Swede, born in Gothenburg, who emigrated to the United States of America during the first years of the nineteenth century. He joined the United States Sealing Voyage (from Stonington), 1819-1820 (leader James P Sheffield) as first officer onboard Hersilia. Benson wrote a logbook covering the voyage, which was discovered in 1956 in the possession of a descendant. After the expedition, Benson sailed from the United States to the Antarctic on several sealing voyages, he is thought to have died at sea in the late 1820s.

The collection is arranged chronologically.

By appointment.

Some materials deposited at the Institute are NOT owned by the Institute. In such cases the archivist will advise about any requirements imposed by the owner. These may include seeking permission to read, extended closure, or other specific conditions.

Anyone wishing to consult material should ensure they note the entire MS reference and the name of the originator.

The term holograph is used when the item is wholly in the handwriting of the author. The term autograph is used when the item is signed by the author.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to New light on the activities of American sealing vessels in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctica, 1819-1822 by Alexander O Vietor, Special Libraries Association Geography and Map Division Bulletin (1956) SPRI Library Shelf Pam 91(08)(7)[1819-1820 Sheffield] and Robert Keith Headland Antarctic Chronology, unpublished corrected revision of Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions and related historical events,(1 December 2001) Cambridge University Press (1989) ISBN 0521309034

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue. Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941.

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Further accessions possible.