Richard Cyriax collection

The collection comprises of correspondence by Cyriax and papers regarding the British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848 (leader Sir John Franklin)

Richard Julius Cyriax was born in 1885 in Canonbury. He was educated at University College School, University College London and St Mary's Hospital, graduating in 1908 and qualifying as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians with the department of Public Health in 1917. In 1920, he entered the public health service as assistant tuberculosis officer for the Warwickshire and Coventry Joint Committee for Tuberculosis in Nuneaton, later moving to Leamington Spa. Interested from an early age in the ill-fated British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848 (leader Sir John Franklin), Cyriax became a leading authority on the subject, publishing his book Sir John Franklin's last expedition; a chapter in the history of the Royal Navy in 1939. Retiring as tuberculosis officer of the South Warwickshire Hospital Group in 1951, he died on 16 January 1967 at Leamington Spa.

The collection is arranged as deposited at the Institute.

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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 author has signed the item.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to Arctic, exploration and development c500 BC to 1915, an encyclopaedia by Clive Holland Garland Publishing, London (1994) and Exploring Polar Frontiers, a historical encyclopaedia by William Mills San Diego and Oxford, 2003 and 'Richard Julius Cyriax' by A G E Jones in The Geographical Journal volume 133 part 2 (1967) p281-282

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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