Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1822-1834 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Three letters and a further abstract of a letter, handwritten, 12 pages.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Horace Hayman Wilson (1786-1860) was an English orientalist who studied medicine at St Thomas' Hospital, London, before travelling to India in 1808 to become an assistant surgeon for the East India Company in Bengal. Whilst in Calcutta he devoted his attention to the study of Indian languages, especially Sanskrit, and in 1811 became the Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, upon the recommendation of Henry Colebrooke. In 1832, Wilson left India as he was appointed the first Professorship in Sanskrit at Oxford University. Four years later he became Librarian at East India House and he fulfilled both positions for many years. Wilson wrote extensively on the subjects of Sanskrit literature, Hindu religion, and Indian history. He became Director of the Royal Asiatic Society in 1837 following Colebrooke's death, and remained in position until his own death in 1860.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
This copy of the correspondence was presented to the Society by Lieutenant-Colonel Doyle, 15 March 1834.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
'Copy of Correspondence between the Secretary to the Bengal Government and H.H. Wilson Esquire relative to the appropriation of the allowance of the late Col. Wilford of Rs.1218 per month for the purpose of forming an Establishment in India for the prosecution of Researches into the Literature, History etc. of the Hindus'. This correspondence comprises of:
- Letter from H.H. Wilson to the Marquis of Hastings in which he enquires whether the allowance originally granted to the late Lieutenant Colonel Wilford for his enquiries into the Literature, Antiquity, Religion and History of the Hindus may be continued to be used for further study by other of the Company's servants. He sets out possible conditions around the use of the money. Dated 11 December 1822, 3 sides.
- Letter from C. Lushington, Acting Chief Secretary to the Government, to H.H. Wilson in which he replies on behalf of the Governor General to the effect that the Governor General is in agreement with Wilson's proposal and asks that Wilson himself will provide the appropriate detail as to how to form an Establishment for Hindu studies. Dated 31 December 1822, 1.2 sides.
- Letter from H.H. Wilson to C. Lushington in which he provides the details of his thoughts on creating an Establishment and his opinion of the necessity for the study of Sanskrit works. He gives a breakdown of how the allowance might be spent and also reflects that the Establishment of the late Colonel Mackenzie might also be combined with the one he is proposing. Dated 20 January 1833, 7 sides.
- Extract of a letter from the Chief Secretary to H.H. Wilson in which he informs that Wilson's arrangements have been sanctioned by the Government. Dated 30 January 1833, 0.3 sides.
The final page of the document bears the title of the document and the dates of the first and last letter. It also bears the stamp of the Royal Asiatic Society and the details of the presentation by Doyle.