Catalogue of The Mary Somerville Collection, (c.1700) - 1972

Catalogue of the Mary Somerville Collection, [c.
1700]-1972
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2019-11-06
Finding aid written in English
Bodleian Libraries
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford, , OX1 3BG
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston
Catalogue of the Mary Somerville Collection, [c.1700]-1972
Table Of Contents
Summary Information .............................................................................................................................. 3
Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Language of Materials ......................................................................................................................... 3
Biographical / Historical ..................................................................................................................... 3
Scope and Contents ............................................................................................................................. 4
Arrangement ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Related Materials ................................................................................................................................. 4
Immediate Source of Acquisition ........................................................................................................ 4
Preferred Citation ................................................................................................................................ 5
Administrative Information ...................................................................................................................... 5
Collection Inventory ................................................................................................................................. 6
Scientific writings, [c.1826-c.1872] ..................................................................................................... 6
Autobiography, 1817-[c.1873] ............................................................................................................. 7
Family papers, [c.1700]-1958 and n.d .................................................................................................. 9
Inner family papers, 1827-1877 and n.d. ........................................................................................... 19
Genealogy, [c.1860]-[c.1900] ............................................................................................................ 24
Correspondence between members of the Somerville and Greig families and the Byron and Lovelace
families, 1813-1872 and n.d. .............................................................................................................. 25
'Letters from Celebrated People', 1791-1969 and n.d. ....................................................................... 28
Business papers, 1806-[1877?] and n.d. ............................................................................................. 42
Honours and awards, 1811-1884 and n.d. .......................................................................................... 46
Papers of William Somerville, 1795-1836 and n.d. ........................................................................... 50
Notes, printed books, photograph album and papers relating to the Somerville and Fairfax families,
Bulk, 1801-1873 ................................................................................................................................. 51
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Summary Information
Repository: Bodleian Libraries

Title: Mary Somerville Collection
Full range of Dep. c. 351-378, Dep. b. 157, 205, 205*, 206 a-b, 207-209, 232 a-c, 233.
shelfmarks:
Collection ID (for CMD ID 12230
staff):
Date: Majority of material found within Bulk, 1778-1879
Date: [c.1700]-1972
Physical 3.0 Linear metres (40 shelfmarks)
Description:
Overview
Correspondence and papers of Mary Somerville (1780-1872), science writer and mathematics expositor,
and of the Somerville and related families.
Language of Materials
English
Biographical / Historical
Mary Fairfax, daughter of William George Fairfax (1739-1813) and Margaret Charters (1741-1832), was
born in Jedburgh in 1780. She grew up in Burntisland, Fife. Though she received little formal education,
she was helped by her uncle, Rev. Thomas Somerville, to learn Latin, and she read mathematics
independently. In 1804 Mary married Samuel Greig (1777/8-1807), who served as commissioner for the
Russian navy and Russian vice-consul in London. They had two sons, Woronzow (1805-1865) and
William George (1807-1814). Mary continued her studies in London. She returned to Scotland in 1807 on
the death of her husband. There she received tuition in mathematics from William Wallace, later professor
of mathematics at Edinburgh University, and his brother, John.
In 1812 Mary married William Somerville (1771-1860), an army doctor and her cousin, son of Rev.
Thomas Somerville and Martha Charters. Four years later Mary, William and their daughters, Martha
Charters and Mary Charlotte, moved to London, where Mary furthered her knowledge through
correspondence and meetings with many of the leading scientific figures of the time. The astronomer,
J.F.W. Herschel, was to become an especially valued friend and adviser.
Mary began to publish in 1826, with a report of observations on the magnetizing power of sunlight. In
1827 she was asked by Henry Brougham, later 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux, Lord Chancellor, to
prepare an English version of Laplace's Mécanique Céleste (1797-1827). The Mechanism of the Heavens
was published by John Murray in 1831. The next year, Preliminary Dissertation to the Mechanism of the
Heavens appeared. Later works by Mary, some of which ran to many editions, were On the Connexion of
the Physical Sciences (1834), Physical Geography (1848) and On Molecular and Microscopic Science
(1869). Her autobiography, Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, was published
posthumously in 1873.
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In 1838 the Somervilles moved to Rome for the winter. They remained in Italy thereafter. Mary died in
Naples on 29 Nov 1872. She had received many honours during her lifetime, and after her death,
Somerville College, Oxford, founded in 1879 as a women's college, was named after her. A Somerville
scholarship for women also commemorates her name.
For further information see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Scope and Contents

The collection includes Mary's papers relating to her writing and published work, finances, and other
matters, and correspondence with family members and with numerous scientists and writers who shared
her interests, and others in public life. There are some letters acquired for her collection of 'Letters from
Celebrated People', and papers relating to the many honours and awards she received.
In addition to Mary's papers, the collection includes correspondence and papers of William, Martha and
Mary C. Somerville; Mary's parents, Vice Admiral Sir William George Fairfax and Lady Margaret
Charters Fairfax; Mary's son, Woronzow Greig and his wife, Agnes (nee Graham); Mary's brother, Henry,
his family, and the family of his first wife, Montgomerie Williamson; Thomas Somerville, Mary's father
in law; and of other members of the extended family, as well as substantial correspondence between
members of the Somerville and Greig families and the Byron and Lovelace families.
Arrangement
There is evidence of Mary's own arrangement of her papers, particularly in the series of 'Letters from
Celebrated People' and 'Diplomas' (honours and awards). Many explanatory labels in her hand survive
throughout the collection. Her arrangement appears to have been preserved to a large extent by later
cataloguers, possibly family members, who added further notes, and Elizabeth Chambers Patterson, who
drew up a catalogue of the collection in the late 1960s.
Material added to the collection in 1972 was catalogued by Patterson as Supplement I. A small number of
letters added in 1979 were incorporated into the relevant catalogue series. Further material found in 1980
was catalogued as Supplement II. Patterson's arrangement has been preserved in the present catalogue,
though the contents of Supplements I and II have been listed with the catalogue series they belong to, still
identified by the numbers 2 (for Supplement I) and 3 (for Supplement II) in the folder reference - eg
MSIF2-40, MSAU2-8, MS3FP-10. An exception to this form of identification occurs with the 'Genealogy
of Sir William George Herbert Taylor Fairfax, Bart.' (Dep. b. 209 in 'Genealogy', formerly 'Family
Trees'), which was part of Supplement 1, but had no folder reference.
Dep. b. 206 and Dep. b. 232, which contained material belonging to more than one series, have been
reboxed as Dep. b. 206 a & b (2 boxes) and Dep. b. 232 a-c (3 boxes).
Some papers of William Somerville are arranged separately from the main series of family papers.
Related Materials
Further papers of and relating to Mary Somerville, not forming part of this collection, have been acquired
by Somerville College. A list of these is available from the College.
Immediate Source of Acquisition

Deposited at Somerville College by Sir Brian Fairfax-Lucy and transferred on deposit to the Bodleian
Library in 1965. Ownership passed to Somerville College in 1994.
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Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, where available, e.g. Dep
c. 351, fols. 1-2].
Administrative Information
Publication Statement
Bodleian Libraries
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford, , OX1 3BG
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston
Controlled Access Headings

Astronomy
Byron | Anne Isabella | 1792-1860 | née Milbanke | Baroness Wentworth
Fairfax | Sir | Henry | 1790-1860 | 1st Baronet
Fairfax | Sir | William George | 1739-1813 | Knight | Vice Admiral
Greig | Woronzow | 1805-1865 | barrister
King | Ada Augusta | 1815-1852 | née Byron | mathematician, wife of 1st Earl Lovelace
King | William | 1805-1893 | 1st Earl of Lovelace
Mathematics
Science
Somerville | Mary | 1780-1872 | science writer and mathematics expositor
Somerville | Thomas | 1741-1830 | historian
Somerville | William | 1771-1860 | physician
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Collection Inventory
Scientific writings, [c.1826-c.1872]

Shelfmarks: Dep. c. 351-354
Manuscripts of, and notes relating to The Mechanism of the Heavens and On the
Connexion of the Physical Sciences, n.d. [c.1831-c.1834]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSSW-1: notebook containing notes and comments in Mary's hand on The
Mechanism of the Heavens, n.d. [c.1831]
2. Folder MSSW-2: portions of the manuscript of On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences,
in Mary's hand, n.d. [c.1834]
3. Folder MSSW-3: manuscript on 'Light', possibly for On the Connexion of the Physical
Sciences, in Mary's hand, n.d. [c.1834]
4. Folder MSSW-4: notebook for use with On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, in
Mary's hand, n.d. [c.1834]
Shelfmark: Dep. c. 351

Physical 1 box (4 folders)
Description:
Manuscripts of, and papers relating to On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences
and Physical Geography, n.d. [c.1826-c.1848]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSSW-5: notes on physical science, some in Mary's hand, and including an essay on
perspective by W.H. Wollaston, n.d. [c.1826-c.1834]
2. Folder MSSW-6: Mary's manuscript of 'Section 24' of On the Connexion of the Physical
Sciences, n.d. [c.1834]
3. Folder MSSW-7: manuscript on shooting stars and meteorites, possibly from On the
Connexion of the Physical Sciences and Physical Geography, and possibly in William
Somerville's hand, n.d. [c.1834-c.1848]
4. Folder MSSW-8: notes for On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences in Mary's hand, and
corrections for a chapter on geology in On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences or
Physical Geography, n.d. [c.1834-c.1848]

Description:
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Manuscript of On the Magnetising Powers of the Rays in the Solar Spectrum, notes
for Physical Geography and notes and papers on astronomy, n.d. [c.1826]-[1867?]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSSW-9: notes for Physical Geography in Mary's hand, n.d. [c. 1848]
2. Folder MSSW-10: manuscript on astronomy, n.d. [1867?]
3. Folder MSSW-11: notes and working papers on Halley's Comet, some in Mary's hand, n.d.
[c. 1831]
4. Folder MSSW-12: manuscript of Mary's paper, On the Magnetizing Powers of the Rays in
the Solar Spectrum, n.d. [c. 1826]

Description:
Papers relating to On Molecular and Microscopic Science and work on sunlight,

and other papers relating to publications, 1828-1851 and n.d. [c.1830-c.1872]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSSW-13 : experimental notes, 'Investigation of Effect of Sun Light on Vegetable

& Flower Colours & Juices', part dated Geneva, 1851, in Mary's hand
2. Folder MSSW-14: On the Action of the Rays of the Spectrum on Vegetable Juices. Extract
of a Letter from Mrs M. Somerville to Sir J.F.W. Herschel, Bart., dated Rome, September
20, 1845. Communicated by Sir J. Herschel, published in Philosophical Transactions of the
Royal Society of London, Pt. II for 1846 (London, 1846)
3. Folder MSSW-15: manuscript of the second edition of On Molecular and Microscopic
Science, n.d. [c. 1872]
4. Folder MSSW-16: notes on woodcuts for On Molecular and Microscopic Science, with
reproductions of woodcuts, n.d. [c. 1869]
5. Folder MSSW-17 : mathematical notes in Mary's hand, n.d. [c.1830]
6. Folder MSSW-18 : papers, mostly undated, relating to Mary's scientific studies, including
an incomplete letter in her hand about her studies of the transmission of the chemical rays
of the sun through different media, 'Theory of Discontinuous Functions' by P. Tardy, also in
Mary's hand, and Mary's dedication of The Mechanism of the Heavens to Lord Brougham
[Henry Peter Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux], 1828-[c.1850]

Description:
Autobiography, 1817-[c.1873]
Shelfmarks: Dep. c. 355-356; Dep. b. 207
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Drafts of Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age and related papers,
1817-1818 and n.d. [c.1872-c.1873]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSAU-1: diary kept by Mary during a tour of France, Switzerland and Italy,
1817-1818
2. Folder MSAU-2: first draft of Mary's autobiography in her own hand, n.d. [c.1872]
3. Folder MSAU-3: second draft of Mary's autobiography, partly in her own hand and partly
in the hands of her daughters, Martha and Mary, n.d. [c. 1873]

Description:
Materials used as sources for Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age,
1838-1859 and n.d. [c.1836-c.1850]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSAU-4: address book, 1838, and notebook, 1859, kept by Mary
2. Folder MSAU-5: essay on Italy by Mary and related notes, n.d. [c.1836]
3. Folder MSAU-6: journal kept by Mary aboard the 'Lively' on a voyage from Malta to
Naples and elsewhere, n.d. [c.1840]; suggestions for a tour of Scotland in Mary's hand, n.d.
[c.1850]; notes on prices of household items, n.d.

Description:
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Writings relating to mathematics and astronomy, described by Mary in 1869, 1869

and n.d. [c. 1835]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSAU2-7: manuscript entitled 'Theory of Differences' in Mary's hand, n.d., with
notes by her on the original enclosure stating that 'I think this MS must have been written as
an exercise before or after the year [blank]. It is very perfect as far as it goes and might be
published after my death. Naples, 13 August 1869'
2. Folder MSAU2-8: manuscript entitled 'On the Figure of the Celestial Bodies' in Mary's
hand, n.d., with notes by her on the original enclosure stating that it was 'Probably written
after the publication of the Mechanism of the Heavens...... Naples, 12 August 1869'
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 207

Description:
Family papers, [c.1700]-1958 and n.d

Shelfmarks: Dep. c. 357-360; Dep. b. 205; Dep. b. 205*; Dep. b. 232a
Correspondence of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville and Graham families, 1781-1868

and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. letters relating to the illness and death of Henry's wife, Montgomerie [Lady Fairfax],
1840-1844
2. letter referring to the overthrow of Louis-Philippe and the revolution in France, 3 Mar 1848

Description:
Correspondence of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville, Graham and Williamson

Ramsay families, 1809-1877 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSFP-13: letters from W[illiam George H.T.] Fairfax, [Mary’s nephew], and [his wife],
Mary, to Mary and her daughter, Martha, 1842-1877, including:
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1. letters from William George to Mary regarding his mission to Zanzibar on behalf of the
Foreign Office to stop or limit the slave trade on the east coast of Africa, 22 Nov 1872; the
settling of the affairs of Woronzow Greig, 23 Jan 1866; and referring to regimental
movements to Ireland to deal with Fenianism, 21 Feb 1866
2. letter from William George to Martha Somerville regarding the funeral of Agnes Greig and
details of her will, 17 May 1874
Folder MSFP-14: letters received by Agnes Greig from W[illiam] G[eorge] H.T. Fairfax and [his
brother], Henry, and his wife, Harriet, 1856-1872, including a letter from William George
regarding the movement of his regiment to South Africa and India, 22 Jan 1854; and containing
information about Admiral Samuel Greig and his family, 2 May 1861
Folder MSFP-15: letters received by William George Fairfax from correspondents including
Martha Somerville and Woronzow Greig, 1840-1869 and n.d. [1873?], some relating to the
genealogy of the Fairfax family
Folder MSFP-16: letters received by Woronzow and Agnes Greig from [Sir] J.F.W. Herschel,
[astronomer], M[argaret] Herschel [Lady Herschel], and Maria Herschel, 1865-1867 and n.d.,
including comments by J.F.W. Herschel on Mary’s work [probably drafts of On Molecular and
Microscopic Science], 1866 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-17: letters received by Mary from Richard and Mrs A.L. Napier, 1832-1861 and
n.d.
Folder MSFP-18: letters from Frances Power Cobbe, [social reformer], to Mary, n.d. [c. 1860].
referring to subjects. Also enclosing two photographs of herself, 25 Oct, no year. With a letter
from Agnes Greig to Frances Cobbe regarding an expected visit from Martha and Mary
Somerville, n.d. Includes:
1. her disagreement with Darwin's theory on moral sense, 7 May, no year

2. Herschel and Carpenter’s attempts to measure the temperature at the bottom of the ocean
and the movement of water from the Equator to the Poles, 17 Jul, no year
3. the death of William Somerville, 9 Jul, no year [1860], annotated by Mary ‘From my dear
and valued friend F.P. Cobbe for whom I have the most sincere affection and admiration’
- 10 -
Folder MSFP-19: letters from Frances Power Cobbe to Martha Somerville, 1873 and n.d., some
relating to the publication of Mary Somerville's autobiography, with a letter from M[ary] C. Lloyd
to Martha regarding alterations to the autobiography, and the gift of Mary Somerville’s books to
Girton College, Cambridge, 27 Jan 1873
Folder MSFP-20: letters received by Captain Henry Fairfax, RN, from Agnes Greig and Martha
Somerville, [1858?]-1869 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-21: letters received by William and Martha Somerville from H[enry], George and
J[ane] Elliot, mainly regarding family property and an application for a naval cadetship for Mary's
nephew, 1824-1849 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-22: letters received by Mary, and Woronzow and Agnes Greig, from Mary Fairfax
of Gilling Castle, [1830]-[1845] and n.d., mainly regarding family matters
Folder MSFP-23: letters received by Woronzow Greig and William Somerville from William
Rutherford, Junior, Jedburgh, apparently employed by Lord Somerville, regarding fishing rights,
education and work prospects for Rutherford's son, Thomas, the settlement of a debt owed by
James Wemyss, and other matters, 1833-1836
Folder MSFP-24: letters received by Mary and Martha Somerville from Jane C. Rushworth
regarding the illness and death of her mother, 29 Mar and 12 Apr 1841, the letter to Martha
enclosing a lock of hair
Folder MSFP-25: last will and testament of Adele Linsig, [in service with the Somervilles],
appointing them as executors, 15 Nov 1837; letters received by Martha Somerville and her sister,
Mary, from Adele Linsig, Sep-Oct [1837] (in French)
Folder MSFP-26: list in Mary's hand of members of the 'Fell Foot Circle', n.d.
Folder MSFP-27: copy of a letter from Mary Greig [later Somerville] to Mrs Wilson, conveying
news of her family, 27 May 1809; letters received by Jane W[illiamson] and Elizabeth Ramsay
from Mary and William Somerville, [1844]-1860
Folder MSFP-28: letters from the Marchesa Teresa Doria to Mary and her daughters, Martha and
Mary, 1860-1876 and n.d. (in Italian)
Folder MSFP-29: letters received by Woronzow and Agnes Greig and members of the Graham
family from J.W. Gordon and [Colonel] C.G. Gordon, 1861-1870 and n.d., including letters to Mr
Graham regarding the death of Woronzow Greig, 23 and 27 Oct 1865
Description:
Correspondence and papers of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville, Graham and

Williamson Ramsay families, Bulk, 1801-1878
Scope and Contents
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Comprises:
Folder MSFP-30: correspondence and papers of Woronzow Greig and related papers, 1832-1853
and n.d., including:
1. letter of condolence from Woronzow Greig to Montgomerie [Fairfax] on the death of her
father, 4 Nov 1838
2. letters from John Paterson, 1841-50
3. letters from C. Riddell, regarding financial and other matters, 1851-1853
4. draft announcement in the hand of Woronzow Greig of a prize of £100 for the best essay on
the subject of tests to ascertain the development of moral and intellectual faculties, 1840
Folder MSFP-31: letters received by Mary and her son, Woronzow Greig, and related papers,
1833-1872 and n.d., including:
1. letters from James Arthur Wilson, MD, to Mary containing family news and referring to the
burial of Mary's sister, Margaret, in Mickleham churchyard in 1808, 1870-1872
2. letters from H.P. Hamilton to Woronzow Greig, 1833-1836, including one of congratulation
on his forthcoming marriage, 29 Mar 1836
3. verses, including 'Remembrance of Mrs Somerville...' , [c.1842]
Folder MSFP-32: letters received by Agnes Greig (formerly Graham), and text of a funeral
sermon, 1837-1869 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-33: letters received by Martha Somerville, 1846-1878 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-34: letters received by Mary, Martha Somerville, Agnes Greig and others,
1838-1877 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-35: letters received by Mary, Martha Somerville, Woronzow Greig and others,
1. letter from S. Groombridge, Blackheath, to Andrew Wallace regarding measurements of

latitude and longitude and the observations of Dr [Nevil] Maskelyne, [Astronomer Royal], 1
Nov 1811
2. letters from S[amuel] Charters to Woronzow Greig referring to a proposed patent for
'passing the Alps with a locomotive', and 'Babbage's opinion' on the proposal, 17 May 1847,
and seeking Greig's opinion on the legality of his will, 13 Aug 1861
3. letter to Mary from Messrs Forrestt and Son, Boatbuilders, wishing her and other ladies
well with a sailing boat, 3 Nov 1865
Folder MSFP-36: letters from Thomas Fuller Samwell to Sir Henry Fairfax, 1842-1843
Folder MSFP-37: letters and papers, mainly relating to members of the Fairfax family, 1826-1957
Folder MSFP-38: letters received by William Somerville from his brother, S[amuel], and his wife,
A.C. Somerville, 1810-[1825?], and a letter from S[amuel] to his father, [Thomas], 22 Jul 1817
Folder MSFP-39: copy of a letter from William Somerville to an unnamed correspondent, 25 Aug
1854; letter from William Somerville to Captain Sir William George Fairfax, 21 Jun 1860
Folder MSFP-40: letters and papers relating to Sir Henry and William G.H.T. Fairfax, 1827-1868,
in particular to their military appointments, including:
- 12 -
1. 'General Orders' given to Major H[enry] Fairfax by Major General Woodford, 16 Jan 1827
2. letter from Robert Cole to Sir Henry Fairfax enclosing a facsimile of a letter from Flora
MacDonald, [Jacobite heroine], to Innes and Clerk, Merchants, 23 Apr 1751, in his
possession, 7 Mar 1845
3. appointments of William G.H.T. Fairfax as ensign, lieutenant, and captain, 1851-1862
Folder MSFP-41: letters from [Adam Duncan, Viscount] Duncan and his wife, H[enrietta, Lady]
Duncan, to Thomas and Mrs Williamson, 1802-1829 and n.d., regarding the illness of [the
Duncans’ son?], Alexander, 1802, the birth of a grandson to the Williamsons, n.d. [c.1830] and
other matters
Folder MSFP-42: papers concerning the genealogy of the Fairfax and related families and their
property, 1852-1953 and n.d.
Description:
Correspondence and papers of the Fairfax, Charters, Greig, Somerville, Graham

and Williamson Ramsay families, 1729-1901 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSFP2-58: correspondence of William George Fairfax, [Mary’s father], and papers
relating to his naval career, 1798-1845 and n.d., including:
1. letters from Earl Spencer, Admiralty, to Sir William George Fairfax, concerning the award
of a gold medal in commemoration of the victory over the Dutch [at Camperdown], 18 Jan
1798, and his appointment as Colonel of Marines, 14 Feb 1799
2. letters from William George Fairfax in the 'Venerable' to William Henry Charters, [his
brother in law], concerning the loss of a member of the crew, 8 and 20 Jun 1799
3. letter from Robert H. Inglis to [Woronzow Greig] containing a transcription of a poem,
‘The Fight off Camperdown’, written by Lord Wellesley, 15 Jan 1845, with notes by
Woronzow Greig describing an incident concerning his grandfather at a dinner given by the
East India Company to [Admiral] Duncan and his officers after the Battle of Camperdown
4. 'Key to The Camperdown Print', relating to a print by [John] Copley, n.d.
5. memoir of Admiral Sir William Fairfax and Mary Somerville [by Vice Admiral Sir Henry
Hotham], also relating to petitions for the award of a baronetcy to Henry Fairfax, [son of
William George Fairfax], 1836
(For folder MSFP2-59 see Dep. b. 205*)
Folder MSFP2-60: letters received by and papers relating to Margaret, Lady Fairfax, 1812-1832,
including:
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1. letters from William Somerville, Woronzow Greig and Henry Fairfax to Lady Fairfax,
1812-1832
2. memorandum of Margaret Fairfax regarding her wishes in the event of her death, 5 Aug
1823
3. 'Minute at opening the Repositories of the late Lady Fairfax at her home No 6 Nelson
Street' listing the contents of Lady Fairfax’s writing desk, 28 Nov 1832
4. Douglas-Scott-Charters-Fairfax pedigree, family trees and related papers, n.d.
[c.1830-1862]
Folder MSFP2-61: letters received by Jane Williamson Ramsay, Elizabeth Ramsay, Miss
Williamson and the Misses Williamson Ramsay from Mary and William Somerville, and related
papers, 1837-1861 and n.d. [c.1829-1861]
Folder MSFP2-62: letters received by [Mary’s brother], Captain [later Sir] Henry Fairfax and his
family, many from Mary, and related papers, 1831-1855 and n.d., including correspondence and
papers relating to the award to Henry of a baronetcy, 1836 and n.d.
Folder MSFP2-63: letters from Mary to [her nephews], William George [later Sir William] and
Tom Fairfax, [1847]-1871; letters and notes on family history received by William George Fairfax
from Christian Charters Leven, 1874-1901; letter from John C. Fairfax to Sir William Ramsay
Fairfax concerning impostors using the Fairfax name in Virginia, 7 Mar 1888
Folder MSFP2-64: letters received by Captain Henry Fairfax, RN, [Mary’s nephew], 1863-1872
and n.d., from correspondents including Mary and Woronzow and Agnes Greig
Folder MSFP2-65: letters from H[arriet] Fairfax, [wife of Captain Henry Fairfax, RN], to Jane
[Ramsay], 21 Jan [1852], and to Agnes Greig, 24 Jan 1872; letters from Henry and Thomas
Fairfax to Woronzow Greig concerning the illness and death of their father, Sir Henry, Jan-Feb
1860; letter from S[arah] Fairfax, [second wife of Sir Henry], to [Captain] Henry [Fairfax], 16
Nov 1861; letter from Agnes Greig to [her brother], James, 19 Feb 1860
Folder MSFP2-66: marriage contract of William Roxburgh and Margaret Greig, 17 Oct 1729; last
will and testament of Martha Charters Somerville, 10 Oct 1879; list of jewellery in the hand of
Agnes Greig, 1862; short story about the adventures of an English family in Milan, probably in
the hand of Martha Somerville, n.d; copy of an unsigned letter to [William] Somerville regarding
an order for £1000 which the writer is sending as partial repayment of a debt, 22 Jul 1830
Folder MSFP2-67: letters from Princess Matilda de Reuss Köstritz to Woronzow Greig, n.d.
[c.1855-1862]
Folder MSFP2-68: letters received by Woronzow Greig, 1842-1862 and n.d., from correspondents
including William Macpherson
Folder MSFP2-69: accounts of Woronzow Greig relating to Russian property, 1827-1832; letters
from relatives in St Petersburg to Woronzow Greig, 1848-1860; letter from S[amuel?] Greig, St
Petersburg, to Captain [Henry] Fairfax, 6/18 Jul 1875; letters from W. Greig, St Petersburg, to Sir
William Ramsay Fairfax, 1900-1901
Folder MSFP2-70: correspondence and papers relating to Admiral Samuel Greig and his family,
1765-1804 and n.d, including:
- 14 -
1. translations from Russian of letters concerning naval matters received by Admiral Greig
from Catherine II, 1773-1788, possibly in the hand of A[dam] Armstrong, [former tutor to
the Greig family in Russia]
2. letter from Armstrong to an unnamed recipient containing an account of Admiral Samuel
Greig, 29 Jul 1804
Folder MSFP2-71: Notebook containing ‘The Life of Admiral Sir Samuel Greig’, in the hand of
Woronzow Greig and signed by him, Dec 1840
Description:
- 15 -
Correspondence and papers of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville and Williamson

Ramsay families, 1812-1893 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
(formerly part of Dep. b. 232)
Comprises:
1. Folder MS3FP-1: letter from Mary to [her future sister in law], Montgomery Williamson,
welcoming her into the family, 18 Oct [1829]
2. Folder MS3FP-2: letters from Mary to Sarah, Lady Fairfax [her sister in law and her
brother's second wife], regarding the illness and death of Henry, Lord Fairfax, 1860. (One
letter dated 25 Jan 1859 should be 1860.)
3. Folder MS3FP-3: letter from Henry, Lord Fairfax, to his son, Henry, 1 Mar 1852; letter
from Mary to her nephew, [Thomas Fairfax], 25 Nov 1870
4. Folder MS3FP-4: letter from Mary to Elizabeth [Williamson] Ramsay, 7 Sep 1866
5. Folder MS3FP-5: letters from [Mary's brother], Henry, to Montgomerie [Williamson], later
his wife, 1829, and a Form of Proclamation of marriage, also recording their marriage, 10
and 15 Jan 1830
6. Folder MS3FP-6: letters from Henry Fairfax to his sisters in law, Elizabeth and Jane
[Williamson] Ramsay, [1851?]-1852 and n.d.
7. Folder MS3FP-7: letters received by Elizabeth [Williamson] Ramsay from Woronzow and
Agnes Greig, 10 Apr 1857 and 5 Jul 1861
8. Folder MS3FP-8: letters from Elizabeth Mary [Fairfax] to her brother, Henry, 1853 and
n.d.; letter from Henry [Fairfax] to his father, [Sir Henry], 23 Dec 1856
9. Folder MS3FP-9: letters received by [Henry Fairfax] from Elizabeth and Jane [Williamson
Ramsay], n.d. [1856?]. (One incomplete.)
10. Folder MS3FP-10: letters from Thomas [Williamson] Ramsay, probably to E[lizabeth
Williamson Ramsay], 1 Nov 1864, and to Sir William Fairfax, 16 Sep 1865
11. Folder MS3FP-11: letter from [?] Buchan to Thomas Williamson, offering himself as a
prospective son in law, 20 Aug 1829
12. Folder MS3FP-12: letter from Julia V. Head, [Lady Head], to Jane Williamson Ramsay, 7
Oct [1850]
13. Folder MS3FP-13: correspondence and papers relating to Fairfax genealogy, 1888-1893
and n.d.
14. Folder MS3FP-14: letters received by Woronzow Greig from his aunt, Julia, and his
cousins, Julia and Jane, in St Petersburg, 1852-1853
15. Folder MS3FP-15: notebook kept by [Mary's mother, Margaret Charters Fairfax],
1812-1822
16. Folder MS3FP-16: 'Short Memorandum of the Services of the late Vice-Admiral Sir
William George Fairfax', n.d. [c.1836]; certificate of probate of the will of Sir William
George Fairfax, 8 Mar 1814
17. Folder MS3FP-17: letters from [Sir] H[erbert] Taylor, [Military Secretary and later Private
Secretary to William IV], to Lt Col [Henry] Fairfax, regarding promotion and the possible
award of a baronetcy, 1827-1835
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 232b

Description:
Correspondence and papers of the Greig and Somerville families, Bulk, 1745-1879
- 16 -
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSFP-43: letters received by Mary and Woronzow Greig from Thomas Somerville,
1821-1829 and n.d., with an autograph of his wife, Martha
Folder MSFP-44: letters from Mary to Thomas Somerville, 1807-1825 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-45: correspondence and papers, mainly concerning the Somerville family,
1. letter from William Somerville to Thomas Somerville containing an account of the

occupation by the British of the Cape [Colony] and related matters, 17 Sep 1795
2. brief history of the Somerville family, signed by William Somerville, 13 Sep 1850
3. memoir of Thomas Somerville by William Somerville, 14 Aug 1856
4. description of Thomas Somerville's deathbed in the hand of William Somerville, n.d.
5. fragmentary memorial concerning William George Fairfax in the hand of William
Somerville, n.d.
Folder MSFP-46: letters received by William Somerville from Thomas Somerville, 1815-1830
and n.d.
Folder MSFP-47: papers of and relating to Thomas Somerville and the Somerville family,
1. 'Anecdotes from L. Macarteney relative to the present reign', Jun 1800

2. 'Anecdotes – Deaths etc [?] copied from my almanacks in which they were recorded at the
time of their occurrence', n.d. [c.1820]
3. memoir regarding friends and relations, 16 Mar 1827
4. copy of a letter from Thomas Somerville to the editor of the Edinburgh Courant regarding
an erroneous report which had appeared in the paper about a performance of the ‘Tragedy
of Douglas’ in the Canongate Theatre, Edinburgh, in 1768, 30 Jan 1829
Folder MSFP-48: letters received by Thomas Somerville and related papers, 1768-1798 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-49: papers relating to the Somerville family, c.1700-1860, comprising
1. 'A short memorial of the Sommervilles of Camnethan in County of Lanerk', n.d. [c.1700]
2. letter from [Lord] Somervell, [commanding government forces at Berwick during the
Jacobite Rebellion of 1745] to [William] Som[erville, father of Thomas Somerville], urging
him to report any observations on the movements of the rebels, 23 (no month) 1745
3. draft text of an inscription for William Somerville’s headstone, n.d. [c.1860]
- 17 -
Folder MSFP-50: papers relating to William Somerville, father of Thomas Somerville, and the
Somerville family, 1720-1795 and n.d., including a licence to preach issued to William
Summervil, 4 Oct 1720, and a sketch of the Somerville arms with notes in Mary’s hand, n.d.
Folder MSFP-51: letters received by Woronzow Greig from [Admiral] A[lexis] Greig and related
papers, 1827-1843
Folder MSFP-52: letters received by Woronzow and Agnes Greig and James Graham, mainly
from members of the Greig family, 1841-1874
Folder MSFP-53: correspondence of, and papers relating to the Greig family, 1792-1958 and n.d.,
including:
1. letters received by Woronzow Greig from A[lexis] Greig and his wife, Julia, 1836-1837
2. translation into English of a letter from Woronzow Greig to A[lexis] Greig, appointing him
a trustee for his affairs in Russia, 23 Oct/4 Nov 1834
3. draft petition by Woronzow Greig to [His] Imperial Majesty concerning claims for a debt
due by his late father to the Russian government, 12 Oct 1829 [c.1837]
4. translation into English of claims made by Mary against the Admiralty in connection with
her late husband, n.d. [c.1829]
5. Greig family accounts, n.d.
6. papers and newspaper cuttings relating to Admiral Sir Samuel Greig and his family,
1874-1958 and n.d.
Folder MSFP-54: letters from [Admiral] A[lexis] Greig to Mary, 1832-1839; letter from P.Y. Fuss
[?] to Admiral Greig in answer to queries made by him on behalf of Mary, 12 Oct 1835 [in
French]
Folder MSFP-55: letters from Mary to James Somerville and Mrs [A.C.] Somerville, 1818 and
n.d. [1835?]
Folder MSFP-56: letters of condolence received by Martha and Mary Somerville on the death of
their mother and other papers, 1872-1877 and n.d., comprising
1. letters received from G[?] Acton, L. de St. Aessino, D. Pedro d’Alcantara, A. Balbivino,
Adela Bossipner [?], W. Cobbe, Enrico Cosentini, T. Doria [?], Edward Dunkin for the
Royal Astronomical Society, Jane Ely, Thomas Fairfax, William Fairfax, S. Gassiot,
[Agnes] Greig, M. Hewlett, J.D. Hope, Susan Horner, Harford, Elisa Lancaster, M. Loyd,
V. Lucchesi, J. Ludolf, Katherine M. Lyell, K. Malcolm, E. Miniscalchi, Dora de
Montmorency, Sofia di Nabri, Irving, G.A. Pasquale, J.B. Pentland, Ellen Plowden, Carlo
Poicio, Mary Quentin, A. Raumont, W.T. Rice, J. Spalletti, L. Spalletti and others,
1872-1877 and n.d.
2. press cuttings of notices of Mary’s death, Dec 1872
3. list of pictures and other belongings of Mary and her daughters at 5 Crawley Place, [the
home of Agnes Greig], Jan 1872
4. letter from John Y. Rutherford to Martha Somerville regarding a painting of the manse at
Jedburgh, 7 Sep 1875
5. list of Italian villages and sights, n.d.
Folder MSFP-57: letters received by Martha Somerville, 1875-1879 and n.d., including letters of
condolence on the death of her sister, Mary, in 1875
- 18 -

Description:
Certificates issued to William George Fairfax, 1778-1801
Scope and Contents
Folder MSFP2-59: naval certificates of appointment issued to William George Fairfax, 1778-1801
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 205*
Physical 1 box (1 folder)
Description:
Inner family papers, 1827-1877 and n.d.

Shelfmarks: Dep. c. 361-365; Dep. b. 206a; Dep. b. 232a
Letters from Mary to her son, Woronzow, 1832-1865
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSIF-1: letters from Mary to Woronzow, 1832-1836

2. Folder MSIF-2: letters from Mary to Woronzow, 1837-Apr 1843
3. Folder MSIF-3: letters from Mary to Woronzow, Jul 1843-1855

Description:
- 19 -
Letters received by Woronzow and Agnes Greig and others, mainly from Mary and
her daughter, Martha, and papers relating to the Fairfax and Somerville families,
1837-1872 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSIF2-36: letters from Mary and William Somerville to Woronzow and Agnes Greig and
others, 1844-1854
Folder MSIF2-37: letters from Mary to Woronzow, 1855-1860
Folder MSIF2-38: fragment of a letter in Mary's hand, in response to a letter from Henry [Fairfax]
informing her of his intention to join the mission of Sir [Henry] B[artle] F[rere], [colonial
administrator], to Zanzibar for the suppression of the slave trade, n.d. [1872], no addressee, with
an envelope addressed to Captain Fairfax, RN, postmarked 29 Apr 1872, and a note stating that
the letter was the last written by Mary, left unfinished at the time of her death
Folder MSIF2-39: letters from Martha and Mary C Somerville to Woronzow Greig, 1854-1855
and n.d.
Folder MSIF2-40: loose papers from notebook (MSIF2-41 below), including:
1. incomplete ‘Biography of Ada Augusta Byron Countess of Lovelace’, in the hand of

Woronzow Greig, n.d. [c.1852?]
2. sketch of and notes relating to the Greig / Fairfax / Charters arms, n.d.
3. notes on his grandfather, [Sir William G. Fairfax], in the hand of Woronzow Greig, n.d.
4. extract by William Somerville from the manuscript memoirs of his father, 21 Jun 1821,
regarding his wife’s admiration for Walter Scott, n.d.
Folder MSIF2-41: notebook kept by Woronzow Greig containing ‘Conversations with my Mother
at Chelsea’, Jan-Feb 1837, and ‘My Grandfather’s history from my Mother’, 6 Feb 1837
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 206a
Description:
- 20 -
Letters received by Woronzow and Agnes Greig from family members, [1835]-1863
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MS3IF-1: letters from Mary to her son, Woronzow, [1836]-1854

2. Folder MS3IF-2: letters from William Somerville to Woronzow Greig, [1835]-1853
3. Folder MS3IF-3: letter from Mary [C Somerville] to Woronzow Greig, 30 Apr 1854
4. Folder MS3IF-4: letters from Woronzow Greig to his wife, Agnes, 1863
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 232a

Description:
Letters from Mary to her daughters, Martha and Mary, and to her husband,
1833-1869 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSIF-7: letters from Mary to her daughters, Martha and Mary, 1835-1851 and n.d.
2. Folder MSIF-8: letters from Mary to her daughter, Martha, 1835-1862 and n.d.
3. Folder MSIF-9: letters from Mary to her daughter, Martha, 1863 and n.d.
4. Folder MSIF-10: letters from Mary to her daughter, Mary, 1835-1859 and n.d.
5. Folder MSIF-11: letters from Mary to her daughter, Mary, 1869 and n.d.
6. Folder MSIF-12: letters from Mary to William Somerville, 1833-1844 and n.d.

Description:
- 21 -
Letters from Mary to her daughter-in-law, Agnes Greig, and from William
Somerville to Agnes, to his daughters, and to his stepson, Woronzow, with other
papers of William Somerville, 1832-1872 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSIF-13: letters from Mary to Agnes Graham (later Greig), 1835-1848 and n.d.
2. Folder MSIF-14: letters from Mary to Agnes Greig, 1849-1853 and n.d.
3. Folder MSIF-15: letters from Mary to Agnes Greig, 1854-1861 and n.d.
4. Folder MSIF-16: letters from Mary to Agnes Greig, Jan 1862-Jul 1867
5. Folder MSIF-17: letters from Mary to Agnes Greig, Nov 1867-Oct 1872
6. Folder MSIF-18: letters from William Somerville to his daughters, Martha and Mary, and to
Agnes Greig (formerly Graham), 1836-1860 and n.d.
7. Folder MSIF-19: letters from William Somerville to Woronzow Greig, 1832-1860, with
other correspondence of William Somerville concerning land owned by him in Canada,
1858-1859

Description:
- 22 -
Correspondence between members of the Somerville and Greig families, letters

from Mary and William's daughters, Martha and Mary, to unnamed
correspondents, and related papers, 1827-1877 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Folder MSIF-20: letters from Woronzow Greig to Mary, 1827-1865 and n.d.
Folder MSIF-21: letters from Woronzow Greig to William Somerville, 1827-1835; draft of a letter
from Woronzow Greig to his uncle, [Alexis Greig?], 17 Apr 1827
Folder MSIF-22: letters from Woronzow Greig to Martha Somerville, 1856-1865
Folder MSIF-23: letters from Woronzow Greig to Mary [C] Somerville, 1828-1865
Folder MSIF-24: letters from Woronzow Greig to Agnes Graham (later Greig), 19 Oct-7Dec
1835; letter from Woronzow Greig to [Agnes], n.d.; psalm book described by Agnes Greig as the
book from which Woronzow read out aloud to her a psalm on the day before he died, n.d. [c.1865]
Folder MSIF-25: letters received by Mary, Martha and Mary [C] Somerville from Agnes Greig
(formerly Graham), 1835-1874 and n.d.
Folder MSIF-26: letters received by Woronzow Greig from [M. Leven?], 7 Dec 1832, and J.
Elliot, 11 Feb 1837
Folder MSIF-27: letters from Mary [C] Somerville to Woronzow Greig, 1856-1865
Folder MSIF-28: letters from Mary [C] Somerville, 1869-1872 and n.d., to correspondents
including her mother, Mary, [1869] and n.d., and Agnes Greig, 3 Dec 1872 and n.d
Folder MSIF-29: letters from Mary [C] Somerville, mainly to unnamed correspondents, but many
probably addressed to her sister, Martha, n.d.
Folder MSIF-30: letters and papers including:
1. telegram addressed to Woronzow Greig informing him of his mother's illness, 9 Mar 1865
2. letter addressed to Martha [Somerville], 10 Mar 1876 (incomplete)
3. letter from Katherine C[harters] to Martha Somerville, n.d.
4. extract relating to Mary Somerville in an article entitled 'Thoughts on the Ladies of the
Aristocracy' in the Examiner, in the hand of William Somerville, n.d
5. letter from I. Fetherston to an unnamed correspondent regarding the sale of antiquarian
books, 28 May 1877

Description:
- 23 -
Letters from Mary and William's daughters, Martha and Mary, to their parents
and to Woronzow and Agnes Greig, 1832-1872 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSIF-31: letters from Martha Somerville to her parents, [1835]-1836

2. Folder MSIF-32: letters from Martha Somerville to Woronzow Greig, 1832-1846 and n.d.
3. Folder MSIF-33: letters from Martha Somerville to Woronzow Greig, 1855-1865
[microfilmed as MSIF-34]
4. Folder MSIF-34: letters from Mary [C.] Somerville to Woronzow Greig, 1832-1863
[microfilmed as MSIF-33]
5. Folder MSIF-35: letters from Martha Somerville to Agnes Greig, 1838-1872 and n.d.

Description:
Genealogy, [c.1860]-[c.1900]
Shelfmarks: Dep. c. 366; Dep. b. 209
Family trees, n.d. [c.1900]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
MSFT Box 1: family trees, n.d. [c.1900]

Physical 1 box (2 rolls)
Description:
Genealogical roll of Sir William Fairfax, n.d. [c. 1860]
Scope and Contents
'Genealogy of Sir William George Herbert Taylor Fairfax, Bart.', [eldest son of Sir Henry Fairfax
Bart., brother of Mary], n.d. [c.1860]
Physical 1 box (1 roll)
Description:
- 24 -
Correspondence between members of the Somerville and Greig families and the Byron
and Lovelace families, 1813-1872 and n.d.
Full range of Dep. c. 367-368
shelfmarks:
Correspondence between Anne Isabella Noel Byron, Baroness Byron, and her
daughter, Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, and members of the Somerville
and Greig families, and related papers, 1834-1861 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSBY-1: letters received by Mary from A.I. Noel Byron, [Lady Byron], mostly
undated, and [1836]-1853, some regarding her concerns for the welfare of her daughter,
Ada, seeking advice on her education, and referring to Mary's beneficial influence on her;
and enclosing a sonnet written by Lady Byron, 9 Mar 1853
2. Folder MSBY-2: letters received by Mary from Augusta Ada Byron [later King],
1834-1835 and n.d., many regarding arrangements for visits, including vists to Mr [Charles]
Babbage, and occasionally referring to her studies
3. Folder MSBY-3: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from Augusta Ada King
[formerly Byron], 1835-1837 and n.d., some referring to scientific matters and
mathematical problems
4. Folder MSBY-4: letters received by Woronzow Greig from Lady Byron, with copies and
drafts of letters by Woronzow Greig to Lady Byron, mainly relating to financial matters and
to unspecified business concerning Lady Byron and her son-in-law, [William King, Earl of]
Lovelace, 25 Nov1842-8 Dec 1852
drafts of letters by Woronzow Greig to Lady Byron, and other papers relating to unspecified
business concerning Lady Byron and [the Earl of] Lovelace, 9-18 Dec 1852
drafts of letters by Woronzow Greig to Lady Byron, and other papers, including a draft by
Woronzow Greig of a proposed letter from [the Earl of] Lovelace to Lady Byron, mainly
relating to unspecified business concerning Lady Byron and Lovelace, 21 Dec 1852-3 Jan
1859 and n.d.
7. Folder MSBY-7: letters received by Agnes Greig from A.I. Noel Byron, [Lady Byron],
1835-1856 and n.d.; and from W.T. Fords, 1861
8. Folder MSBY-8: letters from Agnes Greig to [A.I. Noel Byron], Lady Byron, 1851-1853,
and verses, 'Answer to Lady Byron's "Remarks on Moore's life of Lord Byron" By the
Spirit of a Departed Poet', signed A.G., 1830
9. Folder MSBY-9: letters received by Woronzow Greig from Augusta Ada [King, Countess
of] Lovelace and related papers, concerning business, financial and social matters,
[?1841]-1852 and n.d.
10. Folder MSBY-10: letters received by Agnes Greig from Augusta Ada [King, Countess of]
Lovelace, 1840-1851 and n.d., with an undated letter from the Countess to Martha
Somerville

Description:
- 25 -
Correspondence between members of the family of William King, Earl of Lovelace,

and his wife, Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, and members of the
Somerville and Greig families, and related papers, 1813-1872 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
- 26 -
Comprises:
Folder MSBY-11: letter from [William] King, [later Earl of Lovelace], to Mary, announcing the
birth of a son and heir, 12? [May 1836]; letters received by Woronzow Greig from [the Earl of]
Lovelace, concerning the illness of his wife, his relationship with Lady Byron, and financial and
other matters, Jul-Dec 1852
Folder MSBY-12: letters and related papers received by Woronzow Greig from S. Lushington
regarding unspecified business concerning Lady Byron and Lord Lovelace, 5-23 Dec 1852 and
n.d.
Folder MSBY-13: account of the illness of Lady Lovelace sent by Dr West to Woronzow Greig at
the request of Lord Lovelace, 20 Aug 1852; press cuttings relating to the death and funeral of
Lady Lovelace, 29 Nov and 3 Dec 1852; letters from A. Margaretta Burr to Woronzow Greig
offering sympathy and support and apparently referring to her friendship with Lady Lovelace, 2
and 10 Sep 1852
Folder MSBY-14: notebook containing an account by Lord Lovelace of his wife's illness and
events during 1851 and 1852, with a note by Lady Byron on the opening page explaining how the
volume came into her possession, and with instructions to [Woronzow] Greig loosely inserted at
the front, all originally in an envelope addressed to Woronzow Greig and labelled 'Journal, Surrey
Lodge May 21st 1853, Lady Noel Byron called and delivered this to me'; envelope as above with
separate label 'Lady L's illness and death....', (listing items now contained in folders MSBY-13
and 14)
Folder MSBY-15: sketch, apparently of Lord Byron's monument, n.d. [c. 1852], with notes on
burial in the hand of Woronzow Greig, 19 Aug 1852
Folder MSBY-16: letters from J Gore Browne to the Earl and Countess of Lovelace regarding his
marriage, 4 Apr [1851] and n.d. [1851?]; letter from James Williams to the Countess requesting
the payment of a debt, 16 Jan 1852
Folder MSBY-17: transcript of an extract from a letter from Charles Babbage to Dr Lushington
regarding papers and letters received by Babbage from the Countess of Lovelace, n.d. [c.Mar
1853]
Folder MSBY-18: letters from Woronzow Greig to his mother regarding the clearance of 'the
house at Chelsea', 10 May 1840 (incomplete), and describing a visit to Lady Byron, during which
she had expressed her gratitude to Mary for her good influence on her daughter, Ada, 4 May 1847
Folder MSBY-19: letters from Annabella [King] (later Annabella Blunt), to Agnes Greig and
Martha Somerville, 1866-1872; letter from Byron [King] to his father from HMS Victory, 6 Dec
1852
Folder MSBY-20: letters and papers relating to Lady Byron and the Countess of Lovelace
including:
1. letter from Lady Byron to Mrs Hill referring to the employment of women and their
representation in government, 10 Oct 1856
2. manuscript and printed verses, apparently by Lady Byron, 1813 and n.d.
3. letter from F. Talfourd to [the Countess of] Lovelace, 10 Nov [1851]

Description:
- 27 -
'Letters from Celebrated People', 1791-1969 and n.d.

Full range of Dep. c. 369-372; Dep. b. 233; Dep. b. 206b; Dep. b. 157
shelfmarks:
Letters from eminent people, surnames A-B, to Mary and William Somerville and
others, autographs, and related papers, 1791-1969 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
(The contents of Folders CELE-2 - CELE-4 below were apparently assembled for occasional
display at Somerville College.) Comprises:
Folder CELE-1: autographs removed from documents, n.d., including those of J.F.W. Herschel,
[astronomer], T.S. Raffles, [colonial governor], John Soane, [architect], and J.M.W. Turner,
[landscape painter]
Folder CELE-2: letters and papers by or relating to Mary, 1848-1969 and n.d. [c.1872], including:
1. newspaper obituary, n.d. [c.1872]

2. M.R. Apted, Two Painted Ceilings from Mary Somerville's House, Burntisland, from
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Vol. XC1, 1957-58
3. Elizabeth C. Patterson, Mary Somerville, from The British Journal for the History of
Science, Vol. IV Part IV No. 16, Dec 1969
Folder CELE-3: correspondence regarding the composition of the ballad 'Flowers of the Forest'
between Sir Walter Scott, Thomas Somerville and Jane Elliot, Jan-Feb 1801; letters and leaves
from an autograph book containing whole letters and autographs, 1817-1835 and n.d., including a
letter of introduction signed by [The Marquis de] Lafayette, no addressee, Paris, 9 Jul 1823
Folder CELE-4: papers relating to Anne Isabella Noel Byron, Lady Byron, and her daughter, Ada
Lovelace, including:
1. letter from [Lady] Byron to Mary, 12 Jan 1859, referring to her grandchildren, Annabella
and Ralph
2. letter from A[da] Lovelace to Agnes Greig regarding her research on poisons, 5 Feb 1841
3. remedies for various complaints, n.d.
4. sonnet, 'The Rainbow', by A[da] Lovelace, n.d.
Folder CELE-5: autographs removed from documents, n.d., including those of Charles Babbage,
[mathematician], [Joseph Louis] Gay-Lussac, [scientist], and Roderick Murchison, [geologist]
(For folder CELE-6 see Dep. b. 157)
Folder CELE-7: index in Mary's hand of her 'Letters from celebrated people Scientific, Literary
and Political, Diploma[t]s, Family papers and Ancient documents[,] autographs etc.', with
alphabetical series of envelopes and covers which held the letters, n.d. [c.1860]
Folder MSA-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others, 1826-1873 and n.d.,
from correspondents including:
- 28 -
1. George Airy, [Astronomer Royal 1835-1881], inviting Mary and William to the
Observatory at Cambridge, 30 Mar 1832; regarding a scientific paper by Sir W. Morison, 8
Jul 1848; and conveying information for Mary about methods of recording astronomical
phenomena and changes of terrestrial magnetism and temperature, in a letter to J.B.
Pentland, 11 Sep 1868
2. the Duke of Argyll, regarding his writing on ‘the Reign of Law’, 25 Jan 1867, and family
and other matters, 1867-1873
3. Sarah Austin, [editor and translator], requesting an introduction for a friend, 22 Oct no year
[c.1850]
4. Other correspondents: Charles Adams, John Allen, Amici, Ampere, Antinori, Arago.
Folder MSB-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others from Charles
Babbage regarding progress with his ‘Calculating Engine’ and other matters, and referring to
Mary’s work, mathematical calculations and astronomical observations, 1828-1841 and n.d.
[c.1840]
Folder MSB-2: three letters received by William Somerville from George Back, [Arctic explorer],
regarding invitations to visit, Feb 1838; poem by [Anna] Barbauld, ‘Lines written at the close of
the year 1822. By Mrs Barbauld in her 80th year’, n.d. [c.1822], 1822-1838
Folder MSB-3: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from Joanna Baillie, [poet and
dramatist], and other members of the Baillie family, 1821-1851 and n.d., regarding Joanna
Baillie’s illness, her work, and other matters
Folder MSB-4: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others, 1831-1870 and n.d.,
1. Francis Baily, [astronomer], regarding his study of the compression of the earth and other
matters, 1831-1836
2. Dr Adolph Barth, regarding his translation of Physical Geography into German, 30 Oct
1850
3. Other correspondents: H. Bailliere, M.J. Berkeley, Adrian de Balbi, Jean Baxter
Folder MSB-5: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1834-1836, from
correspondents including:
1. [Rear Admiral] F[rancis] Beaufort, [Hydrographer of the Navy], regarding the naming of a
vessel ‘Mary Somerville’ by William Potter, merchant in Liverpool, 27 Oct 1834
2. Henry Beaufoy, [son of Colonel Mark Beaufoy, astronomer and explorer], presenting the
first volume of his father’s Nautical and Hydraulic Experiments to Mary, 7 Jul 1834
3. Other correspondents: William Potter.
Folder MSB-6: Correspondent: Mary Berry, [author], 1831-1838
Folder MSB-7: Correspondent: Caterina Bon-Brenzoni, [poet], 1853-1856
Folder MSB-8: Correspondent: [Jean-Baptiste] Biot, [physicist, astronomer and mathematician],

1817-1833
Folder MSB-9: letters received by Mary and others, 1791-1848 and n.d., from correspondents
including:
- 29 -
1. Hugh Blair, [minister of religion, author and rhetorician] commenting on Mary’s landscape
painting, n.d. [c.1795]
2. George Birkbeck, [doctor and founder of Birkbeck College, London], regarding Mary’s
attendance at an event at the London Mechanics’ Institution, 17 May 1834
3. George Boole, [mathematician and logician], regarding the gift of some mathematical tracts
and drawing Mary’s attention to the publication of a paper on the ‘Calculus of Logic’, 26
Apr 1848
4. Other correspondents: Elizabeth Blackwood, F. Booth
Folder MSB-10: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from [Alexis] Bouvard,
[astronomer], 1831-1834, one to William, 25 Sep 1834, annotated in Mary’s hand ‘from M.
Bouvard giving me some important Astronomical results’
Folder MSB-11: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from [Sir] David Brewster,
[natural philosopher], mainly regarding his reviews of Mary’s publications, 1834-1847 and n.d.
Folder MSB-12: letters received by Mary and other family members, 1832-1867, from
1. W[illiam] Broderip, lawyer and naturalist, regarding Himalayan plants, 15 Mar 1832
2. H[enry] Bowditch, regarding a possible review by Mary of work by his father, Nathaniel
Bowditch, [mathematician], and other matters, 1835-1838
3. Other correspondents: Charles Bronson, Alex Young
Folder MSB-13: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from Henry Brougham, [Lord
Brougham and Vaux, Lord Chancellor 1830-1834], 1826-1860 and n.d., including correspondence
regarding Mary’s writing of the work to be published as The Mechanism of the Heavens
Folder MSB-14: letter from [Lord] B[yron], to John Murray referring to an alteration to his work,
12 Apr 1814
Folder MSB-15: letters received by Mary and other family members, 1832-1869 and n.d., from
correspondents including Josephine Butler, [social reformer and women’s activist], 1869 and n.d.
[1869 and c.1869]
1. requesting a contribution from Mary for a volume of essays that she is editing
2. regarding scientific education for women
3. regarding claims that an attempt is to be made in Parliament to legalise prostitution
4. encouraging Mary to join a new association of women, involving Harriet Martineau and
Florence Nightingale, [the Ladies National Association]
5. Other correspondents: William Buckland, Charles Buller, Sir Henry Bunbury.
Folder MSB-16: manuscripts by Charles Babbage, comprising
1. 'An Essay Towards The Calculus Of Functions', n.d., in two parts, published in
Philosophical Transactions [15 Jun 1815 and 14 Mar 1816]
2. 'Observations on The Analogy Which Subsists between the Calculus of Functions and other
branches of Analysis', n.d., published in Philosophical Transactions [17 Apr 1817]
3. 'Observations on the Notation Employed in the Calculus of Functions', n.d. , published in
Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society [1 May 1820]
4. 'On the Influence of Signs in Mathematical Reasoning', n.d., published in Transactions of
the Cambridge Philosophical Society [16 Dec 1821]
- 30 -

Description:
Letters from eminent people, surnames C-H, to Mary and William Somerville and
others, and related papers, 1804-1877 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSC-1: Correspondents: Michelangelo and Margaret Caetani, 1842-1874
Folder MSC-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others, 1826-1866 and n.d.,
including correspondence with William Carpenter, [biologist] regarding his studies of plant
growth and other scientific subjects, and the use by Mary of illustrations previously used by him,
1860-1866. Other correspondents: A.W. and Maria Callcott, [Robert Haldane-Duncan], Lord
Camperdown, A. Canova (visiting card only), Edward Cardwell
Folder MSC-3: Correspondents: W.Castel, Dr [Thomas] Chalmers, W.H.Channing, 1835-1877

and n.d.
Folder MSC-4: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from Sir Francis Chantrey,
[sculptor], mainly regarding social matters, 1828-1837 and n.d.
Folder MSC-5: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1828-1868 and n.d., from
correspondents including Mary Cowden Clarke, [writer on Shakespeare], requesting a lock of
Mary's hair and returning a sonnet 'On receiving a lock of Mrs Mary Somerville's hair', Feb 1866.
Other correspondents: L.J.Cist, Charles Clarke, Clot-Bey, Admiral Sir Edward Codrington,
Edward Cooper, Peter Craw
Folder MSD-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1832-1860 and n.d., from
1. Charles Darwin, in response to receiving a copy of On Molecular and Microscopic Science,

referring to Mary's excellent summary of the subject of orchids, 21 Jan, no year [c.1869],
with a letter from Darwin to Lady Lyell, giving permission for the use of diagrams from his
‘orchid book’ by Mary, n.d.
2. Thomas Stephens Davies, [mathematician], referring to his work on spherical geometry,
magnetism and other subjects, 1832-1837
Folder MSD-2: letters received by Mary, a dinner invitation from Sir H[umphry] Davy to William
Somerville, 4 Dec, no year, and two autographs of Davy, one on a notice of election of Council
and Officers of the Royal Society, 18 Nov 1822, 1819-1822 and n.d. Other correspondents: La
Duchesse D’Abrantes, Jane Davy, [Lady Davy], [Alphonse] de Candolle], D’Enghien [?]
Folder MSD-3: letters received by Mary, William and Martha Somerville, from
- 31 -
1. [Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of] Beaconsfield, informing Martha Somerville of an increase in

her pension, 17 May 1877
2. Augustus de Morgan, [mathematician and logician], commenting on The Mechanism of the
Heavens, reading materials, and other matters, 1831-1844 and n.d.
3. G.D. Donati, [astronomer], 1858-1860, one dated 2 Oct 1858 annotated in Mary’s hand
‘From Signore Donati about his Comet’
Folder MSD-4: letters received by Mary, William and Thomas Somerville and related papers,
1820-1862, including a letter from Louisa Drewry, annotated in Mary’s hand 'A petition to the
London University to examine the proficiency and grant Diplomas to young women intended for
Governesses. It was rejected – they are more liberal in the Sorbonne at Paris', 17 Apr 1862. Other
correspondents: J.E. Drinkwater, T. Drummond, Henry Dundas, Charles Dupin
Folder MSE-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others from Maria
Edgeworth, [novelist], and related papers, 1822-1832 and n.d., including:
1. copy of a letter from Maria Edgeworth to Miss Ruxton, 17 Jan 1822, describing Mary
2. notes by Maria Edgeworth relating to sights in London and Paris, n.d.
Folder MSE-2: Correspondents: Ad[olphe] d'Eichthal, Theresa Lister [later Lady Ellis], Hon
Mountstewart Elphinstone, William Empson, 1836-1863 and n.d.
Folder MSF-1: letter from H[ugh] Falconer to Mary, 12 Apr 1860; letters received by Mary and
William Somerville and Agnes Greig from Michael Faraday, and related papers, 1832-1848 and
n.d., including:
1. comments on texts, possibly on Mary’s writings, Nov 1833 and Aug 1834
2. letter of thanks to Mary for sending him a copy of her work, 1 Mar 1834
3. letter describing his experiments with precipitations on paper, 12 Oct 1835
Folder MSF-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others, 1814-1860 and n.d.,
1. George Finlayson, [naturalist], describing his travels in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand in
letters to Charles Farrell, 1817-23
2. Captain [later Sir] John Franklin, regretting that he is unable to accept the Somervilles’
invitations, n.d.
3. Other correspondents: Donald Finlayson, W.H. Fitton, Edward Forbes, James D. Forbes,
Richard Fowler, Robert W. Fox
- 32 -
Folder MSG-1: Correspondents: Thomas Galloway, A.B. Garrod, A. de Gaspari, J. Gassiot, J.L.
Gay-Lussac, John Gibson, 1819-1869
Folder MSG-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1804-1838, from
correspondents including Mary Griffith, [scientist and writer], sending a copy of her recently
published work, Discoveries in Light and Vision, 12 Dec 1836. Other correspondents: Davies
Gilbert, James Gregory, Hudson Gurney
Folder MSH-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from Captain Basil Hall,
[traveller and writer], referring to Mary’s writing, and his own, and other matters, with two
autographs cut from letters, 1831-1842 and n.d.
Folder MSH-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, n.d., from correspondents
including Henry Hallam, [historian], commenting on a passage in On the Connexion of the
Physical Sciences relating to the ancient Egyptian Sothiac period, 12 Mar, no year [c.1835]. Other
correspondents: William Harness, George Head
Folder MSH-3: letters received by Mary and [Martha] Somerville and Agnes Greig from J.F.W.
Herschel, [mathematician and astronomer], his wife, Margaret, his daughter, Isabella, his son,
Captain J. Herschel, and his father, William, 1826-1873 and n.d., including:
1. letter from J.F.W. Herschel to Miss [Martha] Somerville regarding the editing of a work by
her mother, [probably the manuscript of On Molecular and Microscopic Science], 3 Jan
1867
2. letter from J.F.W. Herschel and his wife, Margaret, to Mary on the publication of On
Molecular and Microscopic Science, 5 Jan 1869
3. letter from J.F.W. Herschel to Mary containing comments on the manuscript of her
autobiography, 14 Mar 1869
4. letter from Captain J. Herschel to Miss [Martha] Somerville, seeking her advice on forming
a collection of his father’s correspondence, 6 Dec 1873
Folder MSH-4: letter from William Herschel, [astronomer], to William Wallace welcoming a visit
from Mary and William Somerville, 8 Jul 1812, and letters from [Lady] Margaret Herschel to
Mary, 1832-1835 and n.d.
Folder MSH-5: letters received by Mary and others, 1848-1874 and n.d., from correspondents
including:
1. J.R. Hind, [astronomer], 7 and 15 Mar 1848, the former enclosing ‘a catalogue of Comets
whose orbits appear to be elliptical’
2. Sir Henry Holland, [physician], commenting on Mary’s writing and other scientific matters,
n.d. [some c. 1834]
3. Other correspondents: T. Archer Hirst, Joseph D. Hooker
Folder MSH-6: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, and related papers, 1825-1868,
1. William Huggins, [astronomer], regarding Mary’s and his own writings on spectrum
analysis, 26 May 1868
2. Alexander von Humboldt, [geographer and naturalist], 1825-1849, including a sketch by
him of Halley’s comet, 29 Oct 1835
3. Other correspondents: Leonard Horner, Joseph Hume, B Huntsman
- 33 -

Description:
Letters from eminent people, surnames I-P, to Mary and William Somerville and
others, and related papers, 1796?-1874 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSI-1: letters received by Mary, 1832-1839 and n.d., from correspondents including [Sir]
James Ivory, [mathematician], in appreciation of Mary’s work, [ The Mechanism of the Heavens],
3 Jan 1832, and in response to an enquiry from Mary about ‘the figure of the earth’, 9 Jan 1833.
Other correspondents: Robert H. Ingles, Charles Irvine
Folder MSJ-1: Correspondents: Robert Jameson, F[rancis] Jeffrey, J. Gwyn Jeffreys, 1816-1869
and n.d.
Folder MSJ-2: letters received by Mary and others, 1831-1862, from correspondents including
Alex[ander] Keith Johnston, [geographer], regarding the preparation of editions of Physical
Geography, 28 Jun 1848 and 5 Feb 1862. Other correspondents: M.H. Jenkins, Wartan Josephus
Folder MSK-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1821-1834 and n.d., from
Captain Henry Kater, [physicist], his wife, M[ary] F[rances], and [their son], Edward, including
letters from Henry Kater regarding methods of astronomical observation and measurement, 16
Nov 1821, and in praise of Mary’s work, [ Preliminary Dissertation to The Mechanism of the
Heavens], 23 Apr 1832
Folder MSK-2: Correspondents: Fanny Kemble, Adelaide Kemble, William B. Kinney,

1837-1854 and n.d.
Folder MSL-1: Correspondents: S.F. Lacroix, [Marquis de] Lafayette and other members of the
Lafayette family, 1829-1834 and n.d.
Folder MSL-2: Correspondents: Marquis and Madame de Laplace, 1824-33. Includes a cutting
from the Quarterly Review, n.d., relating to the opinion of Laplace on the mean depth of the sea.
Folder MSL-3: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1820-1839 and no year, from
correspondents including William M. Leake, [antiquarian], in response to a question from Mary
about hieroglyphed horoscopes, 19 Jun, no year. Other correspondents: [Dominique] Larrey,
[Baron Larrey], William Lassell, Sir Thomas Lawrence, [Grand Duke] Leopold [of Tuscany]
Folder MSL-4: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1835-1857 and n.d., from
1. [Sir] Coutts Lindsay, [artist], seeking Mary’s opinion on a tragedy which he has published
privately, 1 Jan 1857
2. J.G. Lockhart, [writer and biographer of Sir Walter Scott], regarding the acquisition of
transcripts of letters by Sir Walter Scott, 20 Apr 1836
3. Other correspondents: John Lindley, Sophia Lockhart
- 34 -
Folder MSL-5: letters received by Mary from J.W. Lubbock, [astronomer], 1832-1835 and n.d.,
described in a note by Mary as being ‘upon the Lunar Theory, the motion of comets, the motion
and equilibrium of fluids etc.’
Folder MSL-6: letters received by Mary, her daughters, Martha and Mary, and Agnes Greig from
[Sir] Charles Lyell, [geologist], Lady Lyell, and her niece, Susan Horner, 1831-1873, including
letters from Charles Lyell to Mary referring to his research and her work [probably On the
Connexion of the Physical Sciences], asking her permission to view the proofs then with [John]
Murray, publishers, 23 Dec 1833, and offering corrections, 24 Feb 1834
Folder MSM-1: letters received by Mary, William and Thomas Somerville, 1822-1870 and n.d.,
1. Lawrence Macdonald, [sculptor], regarding the production and delivery of a marble bust of
Mary, 1870
2. Robert Mallet, [geophysicist], thanking Mary for her comments on his report on the Naples
earthquake, and his proposed work on Vesuvius, 10 Aug 1863
3. Other correspondents: Charles Macintosh, Henry Mackenzie, James Mackintosh, [Francois]
Magendie
Folder MSM-2: letters received by Mary, comprising
1. letters from J[ane] Marcet, [science writer], of whom Mary says in a note ‘her series of
scientific works for young people introduced that higher system of education which now
prevails so universally’, 1833-1834 and n.d.
2. letter from [Captain] F[rederick] Marryat, [naval officer and novelist], to Mary, thanking
her for the gift of her ‘Introductory treatise’ [probably Preliminary Dissertation to the
Mechanism of the Heavens] and informing her that he is now the proprietor and editor of a
new magazine [probably The Metropolitan Magazine], n.d [1832]
Folder MSM-3: letters received by Mary and Martha Somerville, 1835-1866 and n.d., from
1. Harriet Martineau, [social theorist and writer], seeking Mary’s support for her campaigning
work and regarding her illness, c.1835-1845
2. Nevil Story Maskelyne, [geologist, Keeper of Minerals at the British Museum], regarding
the purchase for the Museum of Mary’s collection of minerals, 25 Jul 1866
3. Other correspondents: M.F. Maury, C. Maulien, ?Markea
Folder MSM-4: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1822-1869 and n.d, from
correspondents including J[ohn] S[tuart] Mill, [philosopher], regarding Mary’s support of his
work on the extension of the franchise to women and her response to receiving a copy of a
publication by Mill, 1868-1869. Other correspondents: [Earl of] Minto, G. Moll
Folder MSM-5: letters received by Mary, 1826-1869 and n.d., from correspondents including:
- 35 -
1. [Sir] Roderick Murchison, [geologist], enclosing ‘a Souvenir from Dr Brewster’ and

acknowledging the gift of a copy of The Mechanism of the Heavens, n.d. [c.1831], and
regarding the death of Lady Murchison, 14 Feb 1869
2. W. Morison, describing the Himalayan range, 23 Mar 1841, and referring to other matters
concerning Mary’s studies and writing, n.d. [c.1860]
3. Other correspondents: C.R.[?] de Montalembert, Domenico Morichini, [Charlotte
Murchison]
Folder MSN-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and Woronzow Greig,
1831-1867 and n.d., from correspondents including Macvey Napier, [editor of the Edinburgh
Review], regarding Mary’s publications and the writing of pieces relating to them for the
Edinburgh Review, 1831-1846. Other correspondents: F.R. Nixon, Caroline Norton
Folder MSO-1: letters received by Mary and Martha Somerville from Richard Owen, [biologist],
1860-1873, indicating his opposition to ‘the gross abuse of vivisections’ in France, 30 Oct 1860;
giving permission for the use by Mary of illustrations from his work, 12 Sep 1866; and
acknowledging the gift of a copy of Mary’s autobiography sent to him by Martha Somerville, 6
Dec 1873
Folder MSP-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1821-1860 and n.d., from
correspondents including William Parry, [explorer], inviting the Somervilles to visit his ship, 3
Apr 1821 [fragment only]; thanking Mary for a gift, described by her in a note as ‘orange
marmalade for the Arctic voyage’, and sending her specimens from Melville Island and other
places, n.d. [c.1821]. Other correspondents: Filippo Parlatore, George Peacock
Folder MSP-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1830-1836, from [Sir] Robert
Peel, [Prime Minister], mainly regarding the grant to Mary of a pension of £200 per annum, 1835
Folder MSP-3: Correspondents: J.B. Pentland, [Thomas] Phillips, William Pitt, 1798-1857 and
n.d.
Folder MSP-4: Correspondents: Jean Plana, Th[omas] Plateau, John Playfair, ? Plücker,
1832-1851 and n.d.
Folder MSP-5: letters received by Mary, 1832-1863 and n.d., from correspondents including:
1. B[aden] Powell, [mathematician], regarding the dispersion of light, 9 Aug 1837 and 1 Dec,
no year [c.1837]
2. P. Prevost, enclosing comments on Preliminary Dissertation to the Mechanism of the
Heavens, 1833
3. Other correspondents: Carlo Poerio, Poisson

Description:
Letters from eminent people, surnames Q-Y, to Mary and William Somerville and
others, and related papers, 1793-1873 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
- 36 -
Comprises:
Folder MSQ-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from [Adolphe] Quetelet,
[astronomer and mathematician], 1827-1850 and n.d., described by Mary as being ‘on a variety of
scientific subjects’ and including a letter of thanks for the gift of a copy of Physical Geography,
18 Jan 1850
Folder MSR-1: Correspondents: [Bettino] Ricasoli, T.N. Richards, Samuel Rogers, 1860-1873
and n.d., with two autographs of T.S. Raffles cut from letters
Folder MSR-2: Correspondents: [Earl of] Rosse, Rammohun Roy, [Earl] Russell, 1832-1869 and
n.d.
Folder MSS-1: letters received by Mary from Edward Sabine, [geophysicist], 1832-1869,
regarding Mary’s publications, his own research on subjects including terrestrial magnetism, and
his election as President of the Royal Society in 1861, with a Magnetic Chart of Scotland, 1836,
from the Sixth Report of the Brit[ish] Assoc[iation for the Advancement of Science], presented to
Mary by Sabine
Folder MSS-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1830-1851 and n.d., including a
letter from Hermann Schlagintweit, [explorer], regarding physical and geological research in the
Alps by himself and his brother, Adolph, published in Untersuchungen über die physikalische
Geographie der Alpen (1850), 7 Jan 1851. Other correspondent: A.W. de Schlegel
Folder MSS-3: note from Sir Walter Scott to Mary declining an invitation to a party, 9 Mar no
year; list of ‘Examples of Melody’ in Mary’s hand, n.d.; cover for correspondence regarding the
composition of the ballad 'Flowers of the Forest' between Sir Walter Scott, Thomas Somerville
and Jane Elliot, Jan-Feb 1801 (see Dep. c. 369 Folder CELE-3)
Folder MSS-4: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and J.B. Pentland, 1832-1869
and n.d., from correspondents including [Sir] Martin Archer Shee, [portrait painter], thanking
Mary for the gift of one of her publications, 25 February 1839. Other correspondents: A. Secchi,
described by Mary as ‘Professor of Astronomy at the Jesuits College, Rome], Adam Sedgwick,
[geologist]
Folder MSS-5: letters received by Mary, William and Martha Somerville, 1823-1872 and n.d.,
1. [Professor] Benjamin Silliman, [geologist], regarding American scientific publications of

possible interest to Mary, and the secession of the Southern States from the Union, 10 Jul
1860 and 1 Mar 1861
2. Robert Sim, regarding his discovery of fossils in gneiss and other matters, 9 Jun 1872
3. Other correspondents: Jessie de Sismondi, Sydney Smith, [writer, founder of the Edinburgh
Review]
- 37 -
Folder MSS-6: letters received by Mary from W.H. Smyth, [hydrographer and astronomer], and
his wife, A[nnarella], 1834-1870 and n.d., mainly regarding Smyth’s observations of Halley’s
Comet and other astronomical subjects
from William Smyth, [historian] and Thomas Sopwith, [mining engineer], including letters from
Sopwith to Mary referring to the magnification of objects, research on sea margins, the treatment
of gun cotton, the engineering work of Sir William Armstrong, news of Sopwith’s family and
their travels, and other matters, 1838-1872
1. J[ames] South, [astronomer], regarding the diameter of planets, n.d.

2. Elise Spencer, regarding the illness of the Bishop [of Calcutta] and enclosing verses written
by him dated 15 Feb 1859, n.d. [1859]
3. W[illiam] R. Spencer, [poet], addressing a poem to Miss [Martha] Somerville, 11 Jul 1822,
and referring to social and other matters, 1822-1832 and n.d
4. Other correspondents: William Sotheby, [poet], [Robert] Southey, [poet]
Folder MSS-9: letters received by Mary, 1835-1872, from correspondents including:
1. William Spottiswoode, [mathematician], conveying news of mutual friends and enclosing

mathematical texts in response to a request from Mary, 9 Nov 1869 and 28 Aug 1871
2. William S. Stratford, [astronomer], regarding his observation of Halley’s Comet, 6 Dec
1835
3. Other correspondent: [Viscount]Stratford de Redcliffe, [diplomat]
Folder MST-1: letters received by Mary from Joseph Tuckerman, [Unitarian minister],
1833-1837, including a letter, 28 Aug 1834, enclosing a letter by George Washington as a gift
(see folder MSW-6); letters received by Mary and Martha Somerville from John Tyndall,
physicist, 1863-1873 and n.d.
Folder MSV-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1815-1866, including letters
from James Veitch of Inchbonny by Jedburgh, described by Mary as ‘a wheel wright, a hard
working man of extraordinary power of mind and a good self taught astronomer’, to William
Somerville regarding a telescope which he has made for him, 15 Dec 1815, and to Mary, referring
to his discovery of a comet in 1811, 12 Oct 1836. Other correspondent: C Vogt
Folder MSW-1: letters received by Mary and William Somerville, 1816-1836 and n.d., from
correspondents including William Wallace, Mary’s mathematics tutor, regarding and enclosing
mathematical problems, 1816 and n.d., and in praise of The Mechanism of the Heavens, 23 Dec
1831. Other correspondents: Henry Warburton, Frederick Watson
Folder MSW-2: letters received by Mary and William Somerville from William Whewell,
[polymath], Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1831-1845 and n.d., including a letter of
thanks for the gift of a copy of The Mechanism of the Heavens, containing verses ‘To Mrs
Somerville on her “Mechanism of the Heavens”' by Whewell, 2 Dec 1831
Folder MSW-3: letters received by Mary and William Somerville and others, 1802-1852 and n.d.,
- 38 -
1. William Wilberforce, [politician], to an unnamed correspondent, regarding his request that

Robert Crowe be proposed as a subscriber for life to the Royal Institution, 5 Jan 1802
2. Charles Wilkes, [explorer], to Mary, describing the work being undertaken [by the United
States Exploring Expedition], 18 Aug 1838
3. David Wilkie, [painter], to William Somerville, recommending Anthony Stewart as a
miniaturist, 16 Jan 1834
4. Other correspondents: John Gardner Wilkinson, [Egyptologist], Horace Hayman Wilson,
[orientalist], J? W[ilson?]
Folder MSW-4: letters received by Mary and an unnamed correspondent from William Hyde
Wollaston, [chemist], and related papers, 1826-1828, including a letter containing his comments
on the manuscript of Mary’s work on light, 4 Jan 1826, and a note of a bequest to Mary by
Wollaston of a ‘cabinet of models of crystals’, 7 Dec 1828
Folder MSW-5: letter from William Wyon, [Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint], to William
Somerville regarding the production of a medal of Mary, 8 Dec 1836
Folder MSW-6: letter from G[eorge] Washington, [first President of the United States] to
Gouv[erneur] Morris, [statesman], acknowledging letters from Morris, describing the press of
business, and enclosing letters to be delivered by Morris to Madam[e] de la Fayette, 13 Jun 1793.
Letter received by Mary as a gift from Joseph Tuckerman in 1834 (see Folder MST-1)
Folder MSY-1: letters from Thomas Young [polymath], to Mary and William Somerville, 1828
and n.d., mainly concerning social matters. On the reverse of one letter are notes in Mary’s hand
about Young’s work on light and his deciphering of the Rosetta Stone. (This folder also contains a
dinner invitation from [Sir] C[harles] Lemon, [MP], to Mary and William Somerville, 1 Jun no
year)
Description:
Letters from eminent people to Mary, Woronzow and Agnes Greig and others,
1827-1869 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
- 39 -
Comprises:
Folder MS3B-1: letter from Charles Babbage to an unnamed correspondent, possibly William
Somerville, referring to a paragraph about Mrs Somerville in Le Cercle of 5 Oct 1832, 18 Jan
1833; letters from Babbage to Agnes Greig, [1845]-1861 and n.d., mainly regarding dinner
invitations
Folder MS3F-1: letters from M[ichael] Faraday to Agnes Greig, 1860-1864, in response to news
of the death of William Somerville, 6 Jul 1860, thanking her for a gift, 26 Apr 1861, and for 'the
fine portrait of that admirable woman your mother' [Mary Somerville?], 5 Aug 1864
Folder MS3H-2: letters from J.F.W. Herschel to Woronzow Greig, 1845-1846 and n.d., seeking
Greig’s opinion on the publication of Mary’s work on the action of the rays of the spectrum in the
form of a letter to Herschel, 4 Oct 1845, in response to the gift of the seventh edition of On the
Connexion of the Physical Sciences, n.d., and containing comments on and corrections to drafts of
Mary’s work
Folder MS3H-3: letters from W[illiam] Holman Hunt, [painter], to Agnes Greig, 1857-1859,
regarding, among other matters, an opportunity for Agnes and Lady Byron to view a picture he is
working on before it goes on public display, 15 Apr 1859
Folder MS3L-3: letter from [the Earl of] Lovelace to Woronzow Greig regarding the appointment
of barristers, n.d., [1840], written on a letter to him from C[harles] S[haw] Lefevre, [Speaker of
the House of Commons], on the same subject, 10 May 1840
Folder MS3L-4: letters from S[tephen] Lushington, [Doctor of Civil Law], to Woronzow Greig
regarding social matters, 16 Apr 1853 and 2 Jun 1857, and to James Graham regarding the death
of Woronzow Greig, 27 Oct 1865
Folder MS3M-1: letter from T.B. Macaulay, [politician], to Mary declining an invitation to
breakfast, n.d.
Other correspondents:
- 40 -
1. Joanna and Agnes Baillie (Folder MS3B-2)

2. [Sir] John Bayley (Folder MS3B-3)
3. Mary Berry (Folder MS3B-4)
4. [Sir] David Brewster (Folder MS3B-5)
5. Col. T. Gore Brown (Folder MS3B-6)
6. John, Lord Campbell (Folder MS3C-1)
7. Sir Francis Chantrey (Folder MS3C-2)
8. Thomas Coltman (Folder MS3C-3)
9. G.W. Dasent (Folder MS3D-1)
10. Lord Douro (Folder MS3D-2)
11. Henry Drummond (Folder MS3D-3)
12. Elizabeth Rigby Eastlake [Lady Eastlake] (Folder MS3E-1)
13. Robert Ferguson of Raith (Folder MS3F-2)
14. Francis Fowke (Folder MS3F-3)
15. Col. Charles Gordon (Folder MS3G-1)
16. Henry Hallam (Folder MS3H-1)
17. Anna Jameson (Folder MS3J-1)
18. Count Krasinski (Folder MS3K-1)
19. Lord Lansdowne (Folder MS3L-1)
20. A.H. Layard (Folder MS3L-2)
21. Laurence Macdonald (Folder MS3M-2)
22. [Sir] James Mackintosh (Folder MS3M-3)
23. Merle d'Aubigne (Folder MS3M-4)
24. Minghetti (Folder MS3M-5)
25. Lord Monteagle [Thomas Spring Rice] (Folder MS3M-6)
26. Laurence Peel (Folder MS3P-1)
27. Robert Peel (Folder MS3P-2) Copy only of letter 30 Mar 1835. See Dep. c. 371 Folder
MSP-2
28. Bernard Rosen (Folder MS3R-1)
29. Lord John Russell (Folder MS3R-2)
30. Lord William Russell (Folder MS3R-3)
31. Nassau Senior (Folder MS3S-1)
32. Catherine Sinclair (Folder MS3S-2)
33. John Steell (Folder MS3S-3)
34. James Swinton (Folder MS3S-4)
35. [Sir] William Simonds (Folder MS3S-5)
36. Talbot de Malahide (Folder MS3T-1)
37. [Sir] J. Emerson Tennent (Folder MS3T-2)
38. Hugh Seymour Tremenheere (Folder MS3T-3
39. H. de Triqueti (Folder MS3T-4)
40. Henry Warburton (Folder MS3W-1)
41. Samuel Warren, signature only (Folder MS3W-2)
42. William Whewell (Folder MS3W-3)
43. C. Wheaton (Folder MS3W-4)

Description:
- 41 -
Letters from eminent people to Mary, Woronzow Greig and others, 1820-1870
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MS2-CELE-8: letters received by Mary, Woronzow Greig and others, 1820-1870, from
correspondents including
1. M[ichael] Faraday, to [Ada], Countess of Lovelace, thanking her for the gift of a portrait,
11 Jun 1840
2. M[ichael] Faraday, to Mary, responding to the receipt of a copy of one of her publications
and referring to his work and to the publication of a volume of his papers, 17 Jan 1859
3. J.F.W. Herschel, to [Woronzow Greig], thanking him for gifts of a Daguerrotype of his
mother, and a glossary of architecture, 6 Aug 1846; commenting on a draft of a geography
book [ Physical Geography], 24 May and 25 Jun 1947
4. J.F.W. Herschel, to Mary, enclosing his comments on her work, [ Physical Geography], [5
Jul 1847]
5. J.F.W. Herschel, to [Woronzow Greig], regarding the return of the manuscript of [ Physical
Geography] to Mary, with further comments about the work, [5 Jul 1847]
6. W[illiam] Holman Hunt, to Agnes Greig, regarding the death of her brother, 31 Jan 1870
7. R[ichard] N[apier], to Woronzow Greig, regarding slavery and its abolition in the context of
the American Civil War, 2 Jul 1862
8. R.M. Martin, on behalf of the Duke of Wellington, to Woronzow Greig, regarding a pony
bought by the Duke from Greig, [15] Mar 1864
Other correspondents: J[oanna] Baillie, to Woronzow Greig, [Louise] de Stolberg, [Countess of]
Albany, to Federica Spada
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 206b
Description:
Scrapbook, n.d. [c. 1850]
Scope and Contents
Folder CELE-6: scrapbook containing autographs, photographs and drawings, n.d. [c.1850]
Physical 1 box (1 volume)
Description:
Business papers, 1806-[1877?] and n.d.

shelfmarks:
- 42 -
Accounts of Mary and William Somerville and related papers, and correspondence
regarding business matters affecting the Somerville and Greig families, 1808-1876
and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MSBUS-1: statements of account with John Murray, Publishers, and related papers
regarding Mary's publications, 1829-1851
Folder MSBUS-2: statements of account with John Murray, Publishers, and related papers
regarding Mary's publications, 1852-1873
Folder MSBUS-3: letters received by Mary, William, Martha and Mary [C] Somerville and
Woronzow and Agnes Greig from John Murray, Senior, and John Murray, Junior, and related
papers, mainly regarding Mary's publications, 1830-1875 and n.d.
Folder MSBUS-4a: letters received by Mary from J.B. Pentland regarding work on editions of
Physical Geography, 1850-1869
Folder MSBUS-4b: letter from J.F.W. Herschel to Martha Somerville regarding John Murray’s
decision to stop work on On Microscopic and Molecular Science, 23 Jan 1868, incorporating a
copy of a letter of 6 Jan 1868 from John Murray to Herschel on the subject
Folder MSBUS-5: letters received by Mary Greig (later Somerville) from Charles Greig, 9 Jul
1808, and Charles Bell, 2 Feb 1809, regarding dividends and interest paid on investments
Folder MSBUS-6: letters received by Woronzow Greig from John and Jean Paterson, 1834-1839,
regarding the sale and purchase of property and Greig’s interests in Russia
Folder MSBUS-7: letters received by Woronzow Greig and Martha and Mary [C] Somerville
from George and Thomas S[omerville] Rutherford and James Graham, 1849-1866, regarding their
interest in the will of Rev (Thomas) Somerville, and other financial matters
Folder MSBUS-8: Somerville and Greig family accounts and other financial papers, 1841-1868,
including:
1. letters and papers concerning William Somerville’s grant of power of attorney to

Woronzow Greig, 1840-1841
2. copy of a letter from Woronzow Greig to his mother and William Somerville summarising
their financial situation, 10 Nov 1847
3. estimates of expenditure by the Somervilles and scheme for saving prepared by Woronzow
Greig, n.d. [1847]
4. statements of William Somerville’s debts, 1847-1850
5. statement of Woronzow Greig’s account with Martha Somerville 1848-1851, 1851
6. lists of bills, expenses and household accounts, 1848-1850
7. note from Mary to Woronzow Greig instructing him to sell their Canadian property, 29 Nov
1862
- 43 -
Folder MSBUS-9: letters from James Tait, trustee of the estate of Mrs Janet [Somerville] Elliot, to
Mary and [Martha] Somerville, and related papers, mainly regarding income from the estate,
1865-1873
Folder MSBUS-10: list of securities held by Woronzow Greig on behalf of his mother, Apr 1862;
letter from Samuel Danks, [solicitor], to Mary concerning the appointment of an executor of her
will in place of Woronzow Greig, and other actions required as a result of his death, 13 Nov 1865;
copies of correspondence between James Graham, John Cook, Samuel Danks, and Martha
Somerville, and related papers concerning the possession and tenancy of a property sold by Sir
William Fairfax, 1866 and n.d. [1866 and 1869?]
Folder MSBUS-11: letters received by Martha Somerville from Robert Glehn, 1866, 1876 and
n.d., regarding investments and other matters following the death of Woronzow Greig
Description:
- 44 -
Papers relating to the financial and legal affairs of the Somerville, Greig, Fairfax
and Charters families, 1806-[1877?] and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSBUS-12: statements and letters from the bankers Herries Farquhar and Co.,
1836-1874, to Woronzow Greig, 1836-1860; to Mary, 1865-1872; to 'executrices', 6 Feb
1872; and to Martha and Mary [C] Somerville, 1873-1874
2. Folder MSBUS-13: statements from the bankers Iggulden & Cie, Naples, 1871-1875 and
n.d., to Mary, 30 Dec 1871; and to Martha Somerville, 22 Apr 1873-30 Apr 1875 and n.d.
3. Folder MSBUS-14: statements, bills and related letters addressed to Mary and William
Somerville, Woronzow and Agnes Greig, ‘Miss Somerville’ and the Countess of Lovelace,
1850-1869 and n.d.
4. Folder MSBUS-15: correspondence concerning the guardianship of Katherine Charters,
daughter of Samuel and Emilia Charters, and a trust for her benefit, 1855-1869 and n.d.
5. Folder MSBUS-16: marriage contract between William Somerville and Mary Greig, 18
May 1812 (2 copies); bond by William Somerville to Dame Margaret Fairfax and Mary
Somerville, and Captain Henry Fairfax, 10 May 1814; revocation and bond of corroboration
by Mary and William Somerville, 26 Oct 1818
6. Folder MSBUS-17: certified copy of last will and testament of Mary Somerville, 30 Dec
1865, made 4 Dec 1872
7. Folder MSBUS-18: receipts for payments by members of the Somerville and Greig families
and others for annuities and stock, and related papers, 1806-1809 and 1872
8. Folder MSBUS-19: papers relating to the estate of Dr Thomas Somerville, 1829-1865
9. Folder MSBUS-20: papers relating to the estate of Dr Thomas Somerville, 1851-1861,
including a statement of costs and income from sales of Dr Somerville’s [My Own] Life
and Times [1741-1814] (1861), 1861
10. Folder MSBUS-21: letters received by Mary [C] Somerville regarding financial
transactions, with a draft of a reply, 1870-1873; letter from W.R. Mylne to [Martha]
Somerville regarding the proceeds of the estate of Margaret Somerville, 20 Oct 1873; letter
from James Graham to Woronzow Greig regarding terms used in the marriage settlement of
[Agnes] Greig, 28 Nov 1865
11. Folder MSBUS-22: list of woodcuts and their source [for On Molecular and Microscopic
Science?] in Mary’s hand, n.d. [c.1869]; legal opinion in the case of Miss Campbell, 3 Aug
1840; draft of a letter to Lord B[rougham] from M[artha] Somerville regarding an addition
to her pension, n.d. [1877?]
12. Folder MSBUS-23: letter from John Phin to James C. Somerville, 10 Jan 1839, enclosing
copies of correspondence between himself and Henry Fairfax, Dec 1838, regarding a debt
owed by Fairfax to Somerville
13. Folder MSCB-1: letters received by William Somerville from Matthew Bell and related
papers concerning land owned by Somerville in Canada, and a claim for the repayment of a
debt owed by Somerville to William Wilson, 1819-1849
14. Folder MSCB-2: letters received by Woronzow Greig and related papers concerning land
owned by William Somerville in Canada, and a claim for the repayment of a debt owed by
Somerville to William Wilson, 1836-1859 and n.d.
15. Folder MSCB-3: letters received by William Somerville and related papers concerning land
owned by him in Canada, and a claim for the repayment of a debt owed by him to William
Wilson, 1835-1863 and n.d.

Description:
- 45 -
Honours and awards, 1811-1884 and n.d.

shelfmarks:
Correspondence and papers relating to Mary's achievements, honours and awards,

1811-1870 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
- 46 -
Comprises:
Folder MSDIP-1: letter from John Wallace to Mary regarding the award to her of the
Mathematical Medal, 12 Jul 1811
Folder MSDIP-2: letters and papers relating to the Royal Society, 1831-1835 and n.d., including:
1. letters from John Geo[rge] Children, Secretary of the Royal Society, to Mary regarding the
receipt of a copy of The Mechanism of the Heavens, 23 Dec 1831; and to William
Somerville regarding the approval of the Duke of Sussex for the placing of a bust of Mary
in the Meeting Room of the Royal Society, 19 Feb 1832
2. copy of a letter of appreciation from Mary to the Duke of Sussex, 24 Feb 1832
3. list of subscribers to a bust of Mary for the Royal Society, n.d. [c.1832]
4. receipt for a copy of On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, signed by J.G. Children,
24 Feb 1835
Folder MSDIP-3: letters and papers, mainly relating to honours received by Mary, 1832-1835 and
n.d., including letters and certificates concerning Mary’s election to honorary membership of the
Royal Astronomical Society (with Caroline Herschel), the Bristol Philosophical Institution, the
Royal Irish Academy, the Naval and Military Library and Museum, and the London Mechanics
Institution
Folder MSDIP-4: letter and certificate regarding Mary’s election to membership of the American
Philosophical Society, 15 Oct 1869, and a letter presenting to her the Bulletin of the American
Geographical and Statistical Society, Vol 2, 18 May 1857
Folder MSDIP-5: letters and papers relating to honours received by Mary from Italian societies,
1839-1870
Folder MSDIP-6: papers regarding honours received by Mary from the Academie Royale de
Medecine, 31 Mar 1834?, and La Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve, 3 Apr
1834
Folder MSDIP-7: papers relating to the award to Mary of the Patron's Medal of the Royal
Geographical Society, 1869
Folder MSDIP-8: correspondence and papers, 1835-1838 and n.d., relating to the award to Mary
of a pension of £200 per annum, 1835, and an additional sum of £100 per annum, 1837, including
a copy of a letter of thanks from Mary to Sir Robert Peel, 31 Mar 1835. Also contains some
correspondence apparently concerning the possible award of a baronetcy to Mary' s brother,
Henry, n.d.
Folder MSDIP-9: letters and papers relating to royal dedications, 1832-1835, including:
1. letters from Mary to Nicholas, Emperor of All the Russias, presenting to him a copy of The
Mechanism of the Heavens, 5 Sep 1832 (with enclosure addressed to Nicholas, so possibly
not sent) and 24 Mar 1834
2. draft in Mary's hand of the dedication to [Queen Adelaide] of On the Connexion of the
Physical Sciences, 1 Jan 1834
Folder MSDIP-10: publications and cuttings containing reviews of The Mechanism of the
Heavens, Physical Geography, and On Microscopic and Molecular Science, 1832-1869
- 47 -

Description:
Papers relating to Mary's life, work, and interests, [1833?]-1884 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
- 48 -
Comprises:
Folder MSDIP-11: account of Mary Somerville in The Leisure Hour, Oct 1871, pp 632-636, with
notes and corrections in Mary's hand
Folder MSDIP-12: cuttings containing reviews of Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old
Age, 1873-1874
Folder MSDIP-13: letters concerning family portraits and related matters, [1833?]-1905, including
a letter of thanks from the National Portrait Gallery to Sir William Ramsay Fairfax for the bequest
of a portrait of Mary Somerville, 17 Jan 1884
Folder MSDIP-14: letters relating to the donation of Mary's mathematical books to Girton
College, Cambridge, 1873, and a letter from F.P. Cobbe to [Martha Somerville] regarding the
creation of a ‘Somerville Scholarship’, 12 Mar no year
Folder MSDIP-15: papers relating to the role of women in society, 1868-1871 and n.d., including:
1. receipt for donation to the London National Society for Women's Suffrage by Mary and her
daughters, 12 Nov 1868
2. letter from M.K. Kingsley to Mary requesting that Mary allow her name to be added to the
General Committee of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage, n.d. [1868?]
3. letters from Paulina Davis, Secretary, Woman's Rights Association, Providence, R I, to
Mary concerning her support of the Association, n.d. [1870] and 26 Dec 1871, with a
photograph, possibly of Davis
Folder MSDIP-16: papers relating to the award to Mary of an Italian gold medal for Physical
Geography and other matters, 1839-1869, including:
1. copy of a letter, apparently from Mary, to The Times regarding the practice of vivisection in
Florence, 16 Dec 1863
2. letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Florence, to Mary, regarding the award to her of
a gold medal bearing the image of Victor Emmanuel, [King of Italy], 30 Jun 1869
3. enclosures with labels in Mary's hand (describing some items now in Dep. c. 375-376)
Folder MSDIP-17: offprints of articles by J.F.W. Herschel relating to the weather, volcanoes and
earthquakes, the sun, light, and celestial measurings and weighings, 1865 and n.d.
Folder MSDIP-18: offprints and cuttings relating to various matters, 1859-1869 and n.d.,
including:
1. Darwin's On the Origin of Species, reviewed in The Times, 26 Dec 1859

2. uniform musical pitch, in a published letter by J.F.W. Herschel, 14 Jun 1859
3. the teaching of science, by James Stuart, MA, quoting Mary, in an offprint received ‘from
Mrs Butler’, c.1869
Folder MSDIP-19: obituaries of Mary Somerville from English, Italian, German and American
newspapers and other sources, 1872-1873
Folder MSDIP-20: obituaries of [J.B.] Pentland (in Italian), 1874; Lady Murchison, by Frank
Buckland, 13 Feb 1869; and Mary Somerville, by F.P. C[obbe], 3 Dec 1872
- 49 -

Description:
Papers of William Somerville, 1795-1836 and n.d.

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 377; Dep. b. 232c
Papers of William Somerville, mainly relating to his travels, 1795-1818 and n.d.
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder MSWS-1: journal kept by William Somerville during his Army service as Assistant
Surgeon, 3 May-6 Jul 1795; incomplete account of his career between 1795 and 1805 by
William Somerville, n.d.; letter from William Somerville to his daughter, Martha,
presenting to her a rosary which he had acquired in 1795, 4 Feb 1848
2. Folder MSWS-2: account by William Somerville of his time at the Cape of Good Hope as
Assistant Resident Commissioner at Graaff Reynett, 1800
3. Folder MSWS-3/1-2: account by William Somerville of his work and travels in South
Africa, 1801-1802 [2 folders]
4. Folder MSWS-4: appointment of William Somerville as Assistant Resident Commissioner
at Graaff Reynett, n.d. [c. Apr 1800]; notes on ‘Caffirs’ and African customs, n.d. [c.1802];
account of a visit to Sicily, n.d. [c.1805?]; incomplete account of a tour or tours of France,
Switzerland and Italy, n.d. [1817-1818 and possibly other dates]

Description:
Copy letter and notes of William Somerville, 1835-1836
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder MS3WS-1: ‘Copy of my second letter to Sir Herbert Taylor’, referring to the conduct of
Admiral William Fairfax and probably relating to petitions made for the award of a baronetcy to
Henry Fairfax, [son of William Fairfax], 10 Oct 1835; account in the hand of William Somerville
of a prediction made in the 17th century of the extinction of the Earldom of Seaforth, as told to
him by Mrs Stewart MacKenzie, 15 Jul 1836
Shelfmark: Dep. b. 232c
Description:
- 50 -
Notes, printed books, photograph album and papers relating to the Somerville and
Fairfax families, Bulk, 1801-1873
Shelfmarks: Dep. c. 378; Dep. b. 208
Notes, accounts, enclosures and printed books relating to the Somerville and
Fairfax families, 1801-1832 and n.d. [c.1850-c.1873]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
Folder SC-1:
1. Household accounts kept by Jane Williamson Ramsay, 1825-1832

2. Notes, probably by Martha Somerville, regarding the friendship between her mother and Sir
John Herschel, and their correspondence, n.d. [c.1873]
3. Description of a fireworks display in a garden at the gate of the Piazza del Popolo, probably
by Martha Somerville, n.d. [?c.1850]
4. Fragment of a list of biological terms in Mary's hand, n.d. [c.1850]
5. Envelopes and enclosures, apparently formerly used to hold documents, n.d.
6. Envelope and enclosure labelled 'Margaret Graham - died Wednesday [?] September 1838
was buried at Kilbride the following Wednesday', containing a lock of hair, n.d.
7. The Naval Chronicle, Vol. V, Jan - Jul 1801, containing 'Biographical Memoirs of Sir
William George Fairfax, Knt.' and other articles, bound and entitled 'Memoirs of Admiral
Sir William Fairfax and of Captain Riou'; annotated copy of printed 'Genealogies of the
Fairfaxes', n.d. [c.1871]. 'Mrs Somerville....1871' on flyleaf.

Description:
Photograph album, enclosures and papers relating to the Somerville and Fairfax
families, 1971-1972 and n.d. [c.1855-1860]
Scope and Contents
Comprises:
1. Folder SC2-2: cutting from a magazine containing an article, 'Eleven Key Steps in the
History of Computing' by Brenda Marsh, n.d. [1971]; envelopes and enclosures apparently
formerly used to hold documents, n.d.; letter from Louise Selby, Secretary to Sir John
Hewitt, 10 Downing Street, to Lady [Alice] Fairfax-Lucy, regarding an enquiry about the
payment of a pension to Mary Somerville, 1 Mar 1972
2. Folder SC2-3: photograph album, 'Views of Surrey Lodge, Lambeth, the Official Residence
of Woronzow Greig, Esq, Clerk of the Peace for Surrey' n.d. [c.1855-1860]. Contains
interior views of the house and a photograph of a bust of Mary Somerville.

Description:
- 51 -
- 52 -

Catalogue of The Mary Somerville Collection, (c.1700) - 1972

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Catalogue of The Mary Somerville Collection, (c.1700) - 1972

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Catalogue of the Mary Somerville Collection, [c.

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2019-11-06

Finding aid written in English

Repository: Bodleian Libraries

For further information see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Scope and Contents

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Controlled Access Headings

Scientific writings, [c.1826-c.1872]

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 351

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 352

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 353

Papers relating to On Molecular and Microscopic Science and work on sunlight,

Scope and Contents

1. Folder MSSW-13 : experimental notes, 'Investigation of Effect of Sun Light on Vegetable

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 354

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 355

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 356

Writings relating to mathematics and astronomy, described by Mary in 1869, 1869

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. b. 207

Family papers, [c.1700]-1958 and n.d

Correspondence of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville and Graham families, 1781-1868

Scope and Contents

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 357

Correspondence of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville, Graham and Williamson

Scope and Contents

1. her disagreement with Darwin's theory on moral sense, 7 May, no year

Correspondence and papers of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville, Graham and

Scope and Contents

Folder MSFP-33: letters received by Martha Somerville, 1846-1878 and n.d.

1. letter from S. Groombridge, Blackheath, to Andrew Wallace regarding measurements of

Correspondence and papers of the Fairfax, Charters, Greig, Somerville, Graham

Scope and Contents

(For folder MSFP2-59 see Dep. b. 205*)

Correspondence and papers of the Fairfax, Greig, Somerville and Williamson

Scope and Contents

(formerly part of Dep. b. 232)

Shelfmark: Dep. b. 232b

Scope and Contents

1. letter from William Somerville to Thomas Somerville containing an account of the

1. 'Anecdotes from L. Macarteney relative to the present reign', Jun 1800

Folder MSFP-49: papers relating to the Somerville family, c.1700-1860, comprising

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 360

Certificates issued to William George Fairfax, 1778-1801

Scope and Contents

Inner family papers, 1827-1877 and n.d.

Letters from Mary to her son, Woronzow, 1832-1865

Scope and Contents

1. Folder MSIF-1: letters from Mary to Woronzow, 1832-1836

Shelfmark: Dep. c. 361

Scope and Contents

(formerly part of Dep. b. 206)

Folder MSIF2-37: letters from Mary to Woronzow, 1855-1860

Folder MSIF2-40: loose papers from notebook (MSIF2-41 below), including:

1. incomplete ‘Biography of Ada Augusta Byron Countess of Lovelace’, in the hand of

Scope and Contents

(formerly part of Dep. b. 232)