Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1779-1834 (Creation)
Level of description
Subfonds
Extent and medium
4 archive boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
ELMSLEY, PETER, son of Alexander Elmsley, St. Clement’s Danes, Westminster, and nephew of Peter Elmsley, bookseller, The Strand; b. 5 Feb 1774; adm. 5 Jun 1788; Christ Church, Oxford, matr. 28 Jan 1791; BA 1794; MA 1797; BD and DD 1823; ordained; Vicar of Little Horkesley, Essex, from 1798; Select Preacher, Oxford Univ., 1815, 1818, 1820; Camden Professor of Ancient History, Oxford, from 1823; Principal of St. Alban Hall, Oxford, from 1823; FRS 10 Feb 1814; a contributor to the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews; one of the ablest Greek scholars of his day, and best known for his critical labours on Sophocles and Euripides; d. 8 Mar 1825. A monument to his memory was erected in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, by his friend and schoolfellow Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn (adm. 1784, qv). DNB.
Repository
Archival history
Given to the School in 1944 by Col.B.E.Coke (great-great-grandson of Elmsley’s elder brother). Worked on in the late 60s/early 70s by Nicholas Horsfall (QS 1959-63, and latterly in the Department of Latin at UCL); he produced two articles, Classical Studies in England, 1810-1825 (GRBS, Winter 1974), and Four Unpublished Letters of Robert Southey (Notes and Queries, September 1975).
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Collection of letters and documents relating to Peter Emsley. Includes letters from Henry Hallam, notes on the text of Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus, official papers concerning St Alban’s Hall, three bundles of letters from a variety of people, letters from J.H.Monk, C.J.Blomfield and Thomas Gaisford, letters from Thomas Bigge and Robert Southey, letters to and from his family (with much description of his European and Scottish travels – very lengthy documents, almost in the form of diaries), and letters from George Bedford and Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn.
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Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Westminster School Archive. Westminster School Archive is open to members of the public but a prior appointment and two forms of identification are required. To arrange a visit email archives@westminster.org.uk.
Conditions governing reproduction
Researchers wishing to publish excerpts from the papers must obtain prior permission from the copyright holders and should seek advice from Westminster School Archive.
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Sources
Nicholas Horsfall, "Classical Studies in England, 1810-1825" (GRBS, Winter 1974).
Nicholas Horsfall, "Four Unpublished Letters of Robert Southey" (Notes and Queries, September 1975).