Beckford's papers consist of: correspondence; journals and travels; literary papers; translations; reading-notes; catalogues and inventories; music; newspaper cuttings; miscellaneous papers; and deeds.
Papers of William Beckford (1760-1844), author
This material is held atBodleian Library, University of Oxford
- Reference
- GB 161 MSS. Beckford a. 1-4, b. 1-8, c. 1-89, d. 1-29, e. 1-5, f. 1-5, g. 1-2
- Dates of Creation
- 1702-1857
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Spanish or Castilian, and Turkish.
- Physical Description
- 142 shelfmarks
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
William Beckford (1760-1844) was the author of the oriental tale Vathek and of several volumes of travel writings, the builder of Fonthill Abbey, and an important collector of paintings, objets d'art and books. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.
Access Information
Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/specialcollections).
Acquisition Information
In July 1984, Blackwell's gave the entire collection to the Bodleian 'in memory of the late Sir Basil Blackwell, his father Benjamin, and his elder son Richard, the first three chairmen of the firm'.
Note
Collection level description created by Emily Tarrant, Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts.
Other Finding Aids
A full catalogue is available in the Library.
Custodial History
On Beckford's death in 1844, the papers passed to his daughter, the Duchess of Hamilton. They remained in the possession of the Dukes of Hamilton until 1977, although most of them had been for many years in the custody of Boyd Alexander. In 1977 the Duke of Hamilton sold the papers at Sotheby's (6 July 1977, lot 272), where they were bought by B.H. Blackwell Ltd. Blackwell's deposited the papers in the Bodleian from October 1977 until December 1979, when they took them back into their own custody.