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.

Thomas Manning was an inveterate note-taker, making notes about all aspects of knowledge that interested him. These notes and notebooks cover from his early mathematical and poetical musing, through his travels in China and Tibet to later concerns regarding Roman Catholic emancipation. They have been organised into various sections mainly according to their subject manner.Thus:

• TM/9/1: Notebook with inserts from time at university to later life and covering all topics.
• TM/9/2 - 5 A series of notebooks from Manning's time in China and Tibet including notes on his travels and language studies
• TM/9/6 Loose notes from Chinese period
• TM/9/7 Pocket almanacs with annotations
• TM/9/8 Poetry and Riddles
• TM/9/9 Mathematical Notes and Notebooks
• TM/9/10 Notes on Roman Catholic Emancipation

Notebook containing notes on Tibetan vocabulary. Also some Latin notes and notes on events and people in China; grammar notes; English lists of words. In the back of the book is a partial journal of his time in Tibet - mostly the beginning of the journey and includes an entry about meeting the Dalai Lama "This day I saluted the Grand Lama!! Beautiful Youth. Face poetically affecting. Could have wept. Very happy to have seen him & his blessed smile. hope often to see him again". Large, half-calf notebook, warped, handwritten in pencil and ink.
Inserted into the notebook:

• Note to and from Thomas Beale concerning whether Beale was expecting the Hoopoo, handwritten, undated
• Vocabulary list 4 sheets of Chinese writing including two copies of a contract between Manning and Gao Hengxin for 1000 yuan, dated 20 January 1815
• "Recipe for [Hang yummtoy] or Almond Syrup", Letter from Sian Seng.

Manuscript of "Narrative of the Journey of Thomas Manning to Lhasa". Handwritten manuscript prepared by [Manning's sister] on paper watermarked 1834. This account contains additional material to the account that was published posthumously by C. R. Markham in 1876 as "Narratives of the Mission of George Bogle to Tibet and of the Journey of Thomas Manning to Lhasa". The manuscript is closely written on 99pp and draws from material to be found in the notebooks, TM/9/2 & TM/9/3.

Letter from Eugène Jacquet to Brian Houghton Hodgson concerning matters of the Société Asiatique. He writes about Buddhist and Brahmin literature, about the Dalai Lama and about Sanskrit manuscripts. Appended is a list of 18 popular Hindu scriptures written in Nagari. Handwritten in French and Nagari script. 3 sides plus 1 appended, dated 15 July 1837.

Chinese notebook, small, green cloth covered, including original pencil. Contains Chinese vocabularies; 2 sketches of Dalai Lama; shopping lists and memos; medical notes; list of English words beginning 'ab'; diary notes on leaving Lhasa; notes on literature - French, Greek, etc.; mathematical problems. Inserted are loose sheets of paper - more diary notes; numerical list.

"Autograph Book belonging to Susan Hodgson, Alderley Grange, Wotton under Edge" A leather bound autograph book belonging to Hodgson's wife, Susan, in which are placed certificates, diplomas, academic and personal correspondence, newspaper cuttings and extracts related to Brian Houghton Hodgson's life. Leather binding with metal clasp. The book's binding is broken and some pages are loose. Care must be taken when using this item.