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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.

The International Congress of Orientalists, initiated in Paris in 1873, was an international conference of Orientalists. It was later renamed as the International Congress of Human Sciences in Asia and North Africa and then as the International Congress of Asian and North African Studies. This material covers the interaction of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Congress in the time period 1889 to 1993.

In 1926, the possibility of an International Congress was raised again. The material in this series consist mainly of correspondence between Émile Senart and Edward S.M. Perowne. They are:

• Letter from Émile Senart to Edward Perowne concerning Senart's discussion with F.W. Thomas and the possible involvement of the Royal Asiatic Society. Handwritten in French, dated 23 October 1926.
• "re Oriental Congress, Note of Interview with Mr Émile Senart at la Ferte Bernard, 2 November 1926" by Edward Perowne concerning Senart's suggestion for the restarting of the Congress of Orientalists. Typed, dated 30 October 1926 [Note, dates do not match].
• "Translation of letter subsequently written by me from Paris to Mr Senart" by Edward Perowne, to clarify the points concerning the forming of an Oriental Congress. Typed, dated 5 November 1926.
• Letter from Émile Senart to Edward Perowne in which he responds to the proposal laid out in Perowne's previous letter. Handwritten, dated 8 November 1926. With this letter is a typed translation made by Perowne. * Translation of a letter from Edward Perowne to Émile Senart in which he writes of his discussions with Mr Thomas and that the Royal Asiatic Society has yet to discuss their views regarding an Oriental Congress and to clarify points raised by Senart. Typed, dated 11 November 1926.
• "Memorandum for a Meeting of the Entente Committee" sent out by F.W. Thomas to announce the meeting called to discuss a notice issued by the Dutch Oriental Society announcing its oriental congress in 1927 and the possibility of reviving the International Congress of Orientalists. Typed, dated 14 December 1926. With this memorandum are typed copies of the correspondence and meetings between Perowne and Senart for 2 November, 5 November, 8 November and 11 November 1926.
• Letter from S.M. Edwardes, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to The Secretary, Oestersch Genootschap in Nederland, to relate the concerns of the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society concerning the procedure of reviving the International Oriental Congress. Typed, undated.