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"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.

This is a series of documents of correspondence and testimonials reflecting the activities of Brian Houghton Hodgson in the period 1836-1848. Hodgson and his wives were keen collectors of letters and statements that reflected well upon the work in which he was involved.

Letter from J Forshale, Secretary, British Museum, to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he is directed by the Trustees to acknowledge Hodgson's letter and to express the Trustees' thanks for the series of Skins and Drawings which Hodgson has presented to the Museum with the promise of completing the series. The trustees would like to accept this offer and will instruct their Officer to go to Hodgson at Canterbury to assist him on the preparations for these specimens and those for other institutions.. However the Trustees must also express their regret that they are unable to help with the publications which Hodgson has proposed - this falls beyond the remit they consider appropriate for them. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 20 December 1844.

Letter from Josiah Forshall (1795–1863), Secretary British Museum, to Brian Houghton Hodgson on behalf of the Trustees of the Museum to thank Hodgson for his valuable present of a manuscript in the language of Tibet, being the Yum, part of the Prajnāpāramitā. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 15 May 1845. Additional notes in the autograph book state that Hodgson had given copies of the Prajnāpāramitā to different institutions and persons including the Royal Asiatic Society, the Bodleian Library, College of Fort-William in Calcutta (3 copies), and Eugène Burnouf at the Société Asiatique.

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.