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.

"Memorandum of Literary Topics in hand". Handbound notebook in which Hodgson has noted all the different areas of research in which he is interested. These include History of Nepal proper, History of the kingdom of Nepal, Religion - Buddhism - its origin - diffusion & decay, Extent & boundaries of Nepal, the Government, the Army of Nepal, the Law & Police, Church or Religious Body, Topography, Finances, Land tenures, Commerce, Letters, Literature and Languages, Population, Thibet, Economic substances, Agriculture, Manufactures, Rent - profit- wages, Zoology especially ornithology, Mines of Nepal, Tibet - extent and boundaries, Narrative of the relations of the British Govt with that of Nepal from the earliest times to the present. On the front cover of the notebook in addition to the title is a crossed out list of boxes continued to be stored at 157 [Teachurch] St. Handwritten, undated.

Draft Paper on the Kingdom of Nepal: Its languages, literature and religion. A draft paper in which Hodgson describes Nepal - the kingdom, the diversity of language and religion and the different peoples. Also some additional loose notes concerning vocabulary and distances. Handwritten, 10 pieces, 18 sides, undated.