Wilmot Brooke Manuscripts

This collection comprises the papers of Graham Wilmot Brooke which relate to his work as an independent missionary and explorer in Africa between 1883 and 1888 and as a missionary with the CMS. It contains a number of Brooke's notebooks and journals, including a diary of a journey to Algiers and elsewhere in Algeria which is illustrated with sketches, 1884 and a journal of a voyage up the river Mobangi, 1888. The collection includes a number of maps and sketch maps (some drawn by Brooke) of Africa and printed materials and mission leaflets relating to the Sudan and Niger missions. The collection also includes a significant series of Brooke's correspondence with his father, Colonel Brooke, 1884-1892.

Administrative/Biographical History

Graham Wilmot Brooke (1865-1892) was educated at Haileybury College and studied medicine at St Thomas's Hospital. He was initially engaged in independent missionary work in Africa but returned to England in 1889. He was then accepted as an Honorary Lay Missionary of the CMS to be joint leader with Rev J. A. Robinson of the new Sudan and Upper Niger Mission. In 1890 he went to Africa and served principally at Lokoja. He was engaged there in translating some tracts in Haussa but died of fever in Lokoja in March 1892.

Reference: Register of missionaries (clerical, lay & female) and native clergy from 1804 to 1904 ( Church Missionary Society, 1905 ).

This collection forms part of the Church Missionary Society Unofficial Papers. It is arranged in one series: Family Papers (divided into five sub-series: Exploring in North Africa; Preparation for Mission Work; The Congo missionary journey; Missionary in West Africa; Correspondence).

Access Conditions

Open. Access to all registered researchers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The original provenance of this collection is unknown; it was transferred on permanent loan to the Special Collections Department by the CMS in the 1980s.

See full catalogue for more information.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the University Archivist, Special Collections. Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

The Special Collections Department holds the Church Missionary Society Archive, the official archive of the society which includes papers relating to Brooke's service as a CMS missionary.