Hodgson used much of his time in both Nepal and Darjeeling in research, wanting to discover and understand about the architecture, languages, ethnography, religion, zoology and botany. He collected specimens and manuscripts, and had many drawings made, which he donated to many collections throughout Europe. He was also politically involved during his Residency in Nepal, and also later in England, when he continued to show an active interest in the Indian subcontinent, particularly regarding trade and vernacular education. These Personal Papers reflect these interests and are a record of much of his activity - Hodgson and his wives seemed to have a need to record all his successes. He was also a keen annotator of material, so that most of the printed material also bears his handwritten comments.

Three Plans on tracing paper from Shahr-i Qumis excavation, 1971, labelled:

• Site 5 Contour Plan, Scale (1:100)
• Site 12 Contour Plan, Scale (1:100), Sept '71 Qumis
• Site 7, Mud-ribbed Vaulting over Room

These are large drawings which were originally found in a tube addressed to David Stronach.

Manuscript for "Julfār, an Arabian port: Its Settlement and Far Eastern Ceramic trade from the 14th to the 18th Centuries" by John Hansman. The book was published by the Royal Asiatic Society in 1985. This is a typed manuscript with handwritten corrections and annotations and also drawings for the illustrations affixed to pieces of card.

Letter from Captain Thomas John Newbold to Richard Clarke, Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society, to enclose a facsimile of the sun-dial of the Mosque of Jebel-Gheyushi near Cairo and a copy of an inscription from the Hippicus or Tower of David at Jerusalem. These are with the letter. He describes the dial and the positioning of the inscription. He writes that he has just returned from Petra. With the letter is a transcription.