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Correspondence of Richard Gough, John Nichols, and J.B. Nichols concerning the second edition of The history and antiquities of the county of Dorset

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Letters to Richard Gough, John Nichols and J.B. Nichols, with many draft replies, 1770-1817, concerning the second edtition of John Hutchins, The history and antiquities of the county of Dorset (4 vols., London, 1796-1815), arranged alphabetically, A-C, P-Y. The volume containing correspondents D-O is MS. Top. gen. d. 3.

Dates

  • Creation: 1770-1817

Extent

0.10 Linear metres (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Top. Dorset d. 3, fols. 1-2].

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Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Top. Dorset d. 3-4

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 12980

Abstract

Correspondence of Richard Gough, John Nichols, and J.B. Nichols concerning the second edition of The history and antiquities of the county of Dorset.

Biographical / Historical

Richard Gough (1735-1809), antiquary, was born in London, received a private education, and was admitted a fellow-commoner of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in July 1752, but left in 1756 without taking a degree. From the age of eleven he was a prolific writer, but after his Cambridge days devoted himself almost exclusively to British topography and antiquities, making annual tours through different parts of Britain, often in company with John Nichols, his printer and publisher, and employing artists such as Jacob Schnebbelie and James Basire to illustrate his notes. In 1767 he became FSA and from 1771-97 was Director of the Society of Antiquaries. In 1774, on the death of his mother, extensive estates fell to him, which his father (who died in 1751) had bequeathed to him in reversion.

Gough's chief works were his British Topography (1768, and 2 vols. 1780, an account of the literature of the subject), the Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain (1786-99), and a greatly augmented edition of Camden's Britannia (3 vols. 1789; 4 vols. 1806; a third edition was begun in 1806, but not finished and never published). His numerous minor publications on classical, antiquarian and topographical subjects evince immense industry and activity, while his independent means enabled him to devote himself to his chosen pursuits. In the course of his life he amassed a large library of books and engravings, chiefly topographical, which included many volumes from the libraries of Ducarel, Lort, Blomefield, Peter Le Neve, Hutchins, West and others.

John Nichols (1745-1826) and his son, John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863), were both printers and antiquaries, and were proprietors of the Gentleman's Magazine. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Bought by the Library, Sotheby's, 18 Nov. 1929, lot 154.

Related Materials

See also the correspondence of Richard Gough (MSS. Gough gen. top. 39-44), the Enfield collections of Richard Gough (MSS. Gough Middlesex 8-12) and the Gough Collection (MSS. Gough).

Title
Correspondence of Richard Gough, John Nichols, and J.B. Nichols concerning the second edition of The history and antiquities of the county of Dorset
Status
Published
Author
Collection Level Description by Susan Thomas; EAD version 2019 by Pauline Soum-Paris
Date
EAD version 2019
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
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Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom