The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Joseph Dimsdale Collection 1725-1849
© 2007 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Dimsdale, Joseph. Collection |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1725-1849 |
| Size: | 2.5 linear feet (2 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Joseph Dimsdale Collection includes correspondence, notes, poetry, legal documents, newspaper clippings, and pictures and engravings. According to a London dealer description from 1929, Joseph Dimsdale compiled the collection. Though the collection only contains three letters to Dimsdale at least fifteen other documents have been stamped with his crest and initials. Among the correspondents are William Wilberforce, Mary Somerville and Louis Philippe, the final King of France. |
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When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Dimsdale, Joseph. Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library Historical Note
Joseph Dimsdale, son of John Dimsdale (1740-?) and Priscilla Pitts (1749-?), was born on September 5, 1781. Joseph was the fifth of five children. He was employed as a merchant in Upton, Essex. On December 5, 1811 Joseph married Sarah Cockfield (1776-?). They had three children: Joseph Cockfield, Priscilla Pitts, and Elizabeth. Additionally, Dimsdale was a member of the Anti-Slavery Society.
The Joseph Dimsdale Collection consists of 2.5 linear feet of material including correspondence, notes, poetry, legal documents, newspaper clippings, and pictures and engravings. According to a London dealer description from 1929, Joseph Dimsdale compiled the collection. Though the collection only contains three letters to Dimsdale at least fifteen other documents have been stamped with his crest and initials.
Many of the letters are by scholars, librarians, publishers, politicians, engravers, painters, and musicians. Some of the letters seem to be sources of information for John Nichols, "Literary anecdotes of the eighteenth century: comprizing biographical memoirs of William Bowyer, printer, F.S.A. and many of his learned friends; an incidental view of the progress and advancement of literature in this kingdom during the last century; and biographical anecdotes of a considerable number of eminent writers and ingenious artists; with a very copious index," particularly, Box 1, Folder 9- letter from Richard Widmore to Dr. Ducarell, November 23, 1762, Widmore was the historian and librarian of Westminster Abby. In this letter he tells Ducarell that his manuscript, probably A History of Westminster Abbey is ready to be retrieved and that Ducarell may show it to,
| Box 1 Folder 1 | John Barrow, August 30, 1851 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | G.V. Belzoni, March 8, 1822 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Sir George Bowyer, October 10, 1870 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Henry Fynes Clinton, July 24, 1825, autograph
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| Box 1 Folder 5 | Joseph Cockfield
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| Box 1 Folder 6 | John Sell Cotman to Dawson Turner, July 18, 1820,
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| Box 1 Folder 7 | Joseph Dimsdale
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| Box 1 Folder 8 | G. North to Dr. Ducarel, October 11, 1750, regarding the former temple at Godmundon, and the church there in 1750, also regarding Saxon monuments |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Richard Widmore to Dr. Ducarell, November 23, 1762, Widmore was historian and librarian of Westminster Abby |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | George Edwards to Joseph Cockfield, Marc 26, 1770, Edwards was librarian to the Royal College of Physicians and a celebrated naturalist. Regarding a future visit |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Lord Eldon to Lord Castlereagh, n.d., details regarding seals and lands |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Francis Grose to Samuel Ireland, September 1, --87 (1787?), regarding an introduction to a "brother draughtsman," Mr. Moore |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | T. Hartley to Samuel Scott and wife, n.d., greetings and regarding a possible visit |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Sir Richard Colt Hoare, December 28, ?, Hoare was an antiquarian and historian |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Theodore E. Hook, 1809 |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | John Hughes (2 letters), Hughes (1677-1720) was poet, dramatist critic and contributor to the Spectator
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| Box 1 Folder 17 | Samuel Lee to Dr. Fry, May 20, 1822, regarding publications
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| Box 1 Folder 18 | Wilson Lowry (engraver and scientist)
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| Box 1 Folder 19 | Mrs. Wilson Lowry
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| Box 1 Folder 20 | Rev. G. Mitford to Mr. [Dulansee?] bookseller, [wife of Lowry?], n.d., regarding an order for a book |
| Box 1 Folder 21 | Samuel Pegge, the antiquarian and writer, (1704-1796) to Mr. [Barllot?], May 1, 1756, regarding his examination of Dr. Richardson’s ancient coin |
| Box 1 Folder 22 | Louis Philippe and his wife, the former king and queen of France, April 24, 1849, condolences, in English and French |
| Box 1 Folder 23 | Friedrich Rehberg, n.d., German musician, regarding finances for a friend |
| Box 1 Folder 24 | John Rennie, civil engineer, August 25, 1815 |
| Box 1 Folder 25 | W. Reynolds, engraver, n.d. |
| Box 1 Folder 26 | Sir Samuel Romilly, legal reformer, (1757-1818) April 11, 1812, regarding a petition |
| Box 1 Folder 27 | Sir John Soane, (John Soan) (1757-1818) architect to the Bank of England, to J.B. [?], January 1, 1820 |
| Box 1 Folder 28 | Sir John Wentworth, former colonial governor in New Hampshire and Nova Scotia, to Duke of Kent of Strathorn, n.d., regarding the education of Henry Ingram |
| Box 1 Folder 29 | J. West, Secretary of the Admiralty, lived near Covent Garden and was famous for his library, September 17, 1764, regarding future visits, the placements of friends in various offices, furnishings, and rare books, such as one that belonged to Louis XIV, references to Rev. Cotton, Henry Savill, and Roger Gale |
| Box 1 Folder 30 | Whittsom to J. Phillips, July 18, 1806 |
| Box 1 Folder 31 | William Wilberforce, MP, evangelical abolitionist
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| Box 1 Folder 32 | Acceptance of a bill by Lord Castlereagh, Robert Stewart (1769- (later the Marquis of Londonderry), Downing Street, 1820, proponent of Catholic emancipation in Ireland |
| Box 1 Folder 33 | Commission of attorney, 1770-1773?, regarding, Mary, Princess Dowager and the South Sea Company, signed by Simeon Hoël, F.F. Hoffman, Marie- Princes Helse nee Comptesse de ..., Boetzelaer, and J. Liijthoff (?) |
| Box 1 Folder 34 | Engraving and silhouette of William Wilberforce, Esq. M.P., London, 1814 |
| Box 1 Folder 35 | Newspaper clippings, 1821-1822, Obituaries for engineer, John Renne, and Egyptologist, G. Belzoni |
| Box 1 Folder 36 | Notes on Gournay, France, n.d. |
| Box 1 Folder 37 | Notes by Charles MacFarlane, n.d. on William George Brown |
| Box 1 Folder 38 | "Joseph Rule’s answer to Miss Edwin, who asked him what was the Foundation of his Faith." n.d. |
| Box 1 Folder 39 | Poem by Fanny Greenstead on the death of Mrs. W., July 1799 |
| Box 1 Folder 40 | A prayer by Mrs. Chapone, n.d. |
| Box 1 Folder 41 | Receipts, 1790 and 1812, payments made by John T. Tuffin for writings |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | W. Gould to Susan Gould, March 13, 1814 OVERSIZE |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Drawing of coronation of Queen Victoria, n.d. OVERSIZE |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | John Leslie to Mr. Lowry, December 9, 1803 OVERSIZE |