Papers of Revd. Henry Clarke

Microfilm of diaries, dealing with family and social life, humanitarian concerns and spiritual matters, 1847-1907.

The Revd. Henry Clarke (1828-1907) emigrated to Jamaica in 1847 to take up a teaching post. During the next 60 years he became an Anglican cleric, a member of the legislative council, a businessman and inventor. In 1873 he initiated the Westmoreland Building Society, an eventual cornerstone of the Jamaica Public Building Society. Dedicated to improving the position of ex-slaves and their descendants, he was also learned in the classics, french and geography. He was married to Jane Lister, with whom he had eleven children.

Bodleian reader's ticket required. No access without written permission from one of the authorised family representatives. Contact the library in the first instance.

Collection level description created by Paul Davidson, Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House.

Listed as no. 776 in Manuscript Collections in Rhodes House Library Oxford, Accessions 1978-1994 (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1996).

Two sets of microfilm are held by the principal authorised family representatives of Revd. Clarke.

No reproduction or publication of personal papers without written permission from one of the authorised family representatives. Contact the library in the first instance.

The library holds five volumes of The Journal of Henry Clarke, comprising a typescript version of his autobiography; two volumes of typed transcripts of letters, 1855-1876; three volumes of photocopied letters, 1877-1888. It also holds My Mother who fathered me. A study of the families in three selected communities of Jamaica, etc. by Edith Clarke (London, George Allen &; Unwin, 1957). Letters of Henry Clarke can also be found in the papers of the Anti-Slavery Society, held by the library.