Fonds SC52 - Manuscripts concerning the history of Java

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 SC52

Title

Manuscripts concerning the history of Java

Date(s)

  • 1790 - 1820 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

3 bound volumes handwritten

Context area

Name of creator

Raffles Thomas Stamford 1781-1826

Biographical history

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) was a British colonial official, who became Lieutenant Governor of Java after its capture from the Dutch in 1811. He is accredited with founding the port of Singapore, and wrote The History of Java.

Name of creator

Crawfurd John 1783-1868

Biographical history

John Crawfurd (1783-1868) was a trained doctor, orientalist and scholar, who was employed in the East India Company. He wrote a number of works on his explorations in Asia.

Name of creator

Baker Godfrey Phipps 1789-1850 lt. Col.

Biographical history

Godfrey Phipps Baker (1789-1850) was a member of the 11th Native Infantry and later Captain of the 19th Native Industry. In 1812 he was asked by John Crawfurd to create maps and surveys of Java, which can be found in the second edition of Thomas S. Raffles' The History of Java.

Name of creator

Hammond Elton d 1819

Biographical history

Elton Hammond (d.1819) was the cousin of Thomas S. Raffles, and committed suicide in 1819.

Name of creator

St Maur [Seymour] Edward A Duke of Somerset

Biographical history

Edward St Maur (also Seymour) (1775-1855) was the 11th Duke of Somerset. He was a mathematician and a president of the Linnean Society and the Royal Society. In 1837, Queen Victoria made him a Knight of the Garter.

Name of creator

Adams Alexander d 1834

Biographical history

Alexander Adams (c.1772-d.1834) was a British Army Officer, and was involved in the expedition to take Java from the Dutch in 1811.

Name of creator

Kynynmound Lord Gilbert Elliot-Murray 1751-1814 Earl of Minto

Biographical history

Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1751-1814), 1st Earl of Minto (Lord Minto) was a British politician and diplomat. He became Lord Minto in 1797, and Governor General of India from 1807 until 1813.

Name of creator

Hope H.

Biographical history

Repository

Royal Asiatic Society Archives

Archival history

The papers were created by T. S. Raffles, J. Crawfurd, G. P. Baker, E. Hammond, E. A. St Maur, A. Adams, G. E. M. Kynynmound, T. [Clarke], and H. Hope. They were presented to the RAS by Captain Richard Hart of the 66th Regiment 2nd February 1850.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

2nd February 1850, as noted in the RAS Register of Donations Nov.1843 To Dec.1857, page 141 (RASCOLL3/3/1).

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Three volumes concerned with British involvement in Java:

  • Java Antiquities, a bound volume composed of four sections including lists, correspondence, a memorandum and private journals.
  • Java Antiquities Craufurd, a bound volume containing two sections, both on the ruins of Javanese temples.
  • British in Java 1811-1812 Contemporary Documents, a bound volume containing multiple manuscripts including letters, contracts, instructions, memoirs, minutes, treaties, notes and reports.

These volumes provide information and a valuable insight into British involvement in Java during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Additionally, they offer accounts of the architecture (particularly of temples), culture, history, traditions and practices of Java and its people, prior to and during British Rule.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Language of material

  • English
  • Malay

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Physical characteristics and technical requirements

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Related materials include:

    • Catalogue of Paintings Drawing, Engravings & Busts by Raymond Head.
    • R.A.S Asiatic Researches Vol.13 Chapter IX The Ruins of Prambanan, in Java by J. Crawfurd, Esq.
    • R.A.S History of Java 2nd Ed. by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.
    • Antiquarian, Architectural, and Landscape Illustrations of the History of Java by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.
    • Journal of an Embassy to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China by John Crawfurd

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

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    Name access points

    Genre access points

    Description control area

    Description identifier

    gb891-sc52

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Archivist's note

        This catalogue was create by Timothy Duffell, RAS volunteer, under the supervision of Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2023.

        Accession area