Autobiographical notes of James Legge, Professor of Chinese at Oxford University, and his wife, Hannah Mary Legge

Autobiographical notes of James Legge, Professor of Chinese at Oxford University, comprising:

• an incomplete manuscript, which covers the early part of Legge's life up to 1840, entitled 'notes on my life', 1896
• a transcript copy of 'Reminiscences' of James Legge, describing various incidents while in China between 1839 and 1863, early 20th century
• a typescript copy of notes by Hannah Mary Legge, James Legge's second wife, of a voyage to Hong Kong and visit to Canton, 1859-60, early 20th century.

James Legge (1815-97) was the first professor of Chinese at Oxford, 1876-97; he was also a missionary and sinologist. Further details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk).

Given to the Library by Professor M.D. Legge in 1977.

Collection level description created by Susan Thomas, Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts.

A description is available in the Library, where there is also a card index to unpublished catalogues.

See also related deposits of James Legge's papers MSS. Eng. misc. c. 863-5, d. 1252-65, e. 1377-81; and MSS. Top. Oxon. c. 528; Eng. misc. e. 556.