Robert Potts: Correspondence and papers concerning the Waldensians of Piedmont

The correspondence contains letters respecting arrangements for the safe carriage of consignments of books to the library of the College of the Holy Trinity at La Tour and the schools of the Waldensian towns and villages and their passage through the Piedmontese customs; correspondence with the Moderator of the Waldensian Church and the secretary of the Church's governing body (the Table Vaudoise); and correspondence with William Stephen Gilly (Prebendary of Durham 1826-55) discussing a variety of matters relating to the Waldensians. Also present are several reports of the London Vaudois committee, and related printed items.

Robert Potts entered Trinity College, Cambridge in 1827, graduated BA in 1832, and proceeded MA in 1835. He settled in Cambridge as a private tutor, and was a strong supporter of reform within the University. He published a highly-regarded edition of Euclid's Elements (1845) and other mathematical treatises, as well as works on theology and the University of Cambridge. He died in Cambridge on 4 August 1885. Potts had an interest in the Waldensian community of Piedmont, particularly in the provision of books for the library of the College of the Holy Trinity at La Tour and the schools of the Waldensian towns and villages. Potts organised three collections of books and pamphlets at Cambridge (including works in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French and English), which were despatched to Piedmont in 1838, 1839 and 1846.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

The volume was acquired by the University Library at an unknown date, almost certainly during Potts' lifetime.

This finding aid was adapted from one created by S.G. Roberts in January 2013.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

The Library holds correspondence of Potts concerning the Chancellorship election and general election of 1847 (MSS Add.4427-4428), and his collection of material generated by the debate on the celibacy of fellows of colleges, 1853-70 (MS Add.725).