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.

"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.

Extract from the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (No. 62, N.S.) to report on the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society for February 1844. The monthly meeting on the 6 February had been an occasion on which Members were afforded an opportunity to express their sentiments on the departure of Hodgson. Printed material, 1 partial copy of 3 sides, 1 fuller extract which includes more details of Hodgson's life and works, 4 sides. Also printed testimonials to Hodgson from the Journal for October 1844, printed material, 8 sides.

Correspondence with Dr. D.R. Bhandarkar, Indian Museum, Calcutta. These are:

Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr Bhandarkar to ask, on behalf of the President and Council of the Society, whether Bhandarkar would be willing to represent the Society at the Seventh Indian Conference. Dated 29 May 1933.

Letter from Dr Bhandarkar to Colonel Hoysted to inform that he would be delighted to represent the Society. Dated 22 June 1933.

Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr Bhandarkar to express, on behalf of the President and Council, their gratitude that he has agreed to represent the Society. Dated 10 July 1933.

Letter from Dr Bhandarkar to Colonel Hoysted to inform that his health has suddenly become worse and therefore it will be doubtful if he will be able to attend the Conference. Dated 14 December 1933.

Letter from Col. Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr Bhandarkar to express, on behalf of the President and Council, their concern regarding his health and the hope that he was well enough to attend the conference. Dated 2 January 1934.

Letter from Dr Bhandarkar to Colonel Hoysted to inform that he did not attend the Conference but as he did not leave Calcutta, his health did not become worse. Dated 25 January 1934.

The main item in these papers is the Letter Book, complied by Richard Macan concerned with the sale of the estate of the late Major Turner Macan. There is also a note written by Richard Macan and some modern research notes on the Letter Book and Turner Macan's biography.

Correspondence concerning the identification of the portrait, The reception of Lord Amherst by Rup Lal Mallick, by William Henry Florio Hutchisson. The painting, at the time of the correspondence, was owned by Major-General Sir George McKenzie Franks. The material consists of:

• A photograph of the painting mounted on brown card.
• Letter from Major V. Hodson to Sir Patrick Cadell to give his opinion on who might be present in the painting. He recognises Colonel Duncan Macleod and names other possibilities. With the letter is a pencil sketch of some of the figures and his identification of those numbered. He also writes of a possible date and occasion. Typed letter, dated 13 July, 1947.
• Letter from Sir Patrick Cadell to Sir Richard Winstedt to write of the information he has obtained from Major Hodson. The letter records that the photo was sent to Winstedt by a Mr Sheppard. He also adds thoughts from other sources, but admits beyond the information he's provided he cannot help further. He suggests contacting C.E.A.W. Oldham or W. Foster. Handwritten letter, 7 sides, dated 18 July 1947.
• Note from Sir Richard Winstedt to Sir William Foster to ask him if he might be interested in the material and be able to identify the painter. Handwritten on Royal Asiatic Society headed paper, dated 30 August 1947.
• Letter from Sir William Foster to Sir Richard Winstedt in which he suggests that the artist might be William Henry Florio Hutchisson. Typed letter, dated 1 August 1947 (Probably 1 September 1947).
• Letter from Major-General Sir George McKenzie Franks to Major Sheppard in which he writes of new information that he acquired about the picture from a book he had been lent by a Mrs Brabazon with reminiscences of her ancestor, General Sir George Bell. In the book is an account of an event in 1827 in Calcutta which fits with the details of the painting. This dates also fits with the time that Franks' great-grandfather was in India. The description gives clues to other people present and that the event was hosted by Rup Lal Mallick. With the letter is a typed copy of the appropriate section from Bell's memoirs. Typed, 4 sides, dated 16 September 1947.
• Letter from Major-General Sir George McKenzie Franks to Sir Richard Winstedt to update him on the material that has been found describing the events of the painting. He invites Winstedt to view the painting if ever in Ireland. With his letter he sends a list entitled 'Notes on colour of uniforms, etc, with reference to numbers on tracing'. Typed, dated 22 September 1947.

This Series contains 52 letters between Thomas Manning and his father, William Manning, Rector of Diss. These date from 1785, when Thomas was a child on holiday, until 1810, the year of William Manning's death There are a further 5 letters between Thomas Manning and other family members.

Material concerned with the Asiatic Society (formerly Asiatic Society of Bengal) and their interaction with the Royal Asiatic Society.

"A Descriptive Catalogue of the Paintings, Statues, Framed Prints, Copper Plates and Other Curiosities in he Rooms of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, by C.R. Wilson, M.A., corrected up to April 1897." Pamphlet describing the Society's collections, published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1897.

Letter from B.S. Guha, General Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, in response to the invitation by the Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that the Asiatic Society of Bengal has nominated Dr. Sunita Kumar Chatterji for election as a Corresponding Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Dated 5 September 1941.