Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1878 - 1882 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 bound volume handwritten
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
David Erskine was educated at Harrow, and joined the army (51st King's Own Light Infantry) as an ensign in 1835 seeing service in India, Malta and Australia. He was appointed Visiting Magistrate in Cleveland, Tasmania in June 1839, at Green Ponds from November 1840 to March 1843, and then moved to Hobart.
He was promoted to Captain in 1845 and left Tasmania in 1846 for India. He was promoted to Major in 1855 and in 1858 he left the army by selling his commission. He next became Colonial Secretary of Natal colony until 1875. He was Resident Magistrate in Walvis Bay, Damaraland (Namibia), from 1878-1880. After retirement he returned to England with his family and was employed ordering the Natal archives. He died in 1903.
Repository
Archival history
The work was created by Major David Erskine. It was presented by the creator to Sir Bartle Frere who, in turn, presented it to the Royal Asiatic Society.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
It was presented to the Royal Asiatic Society by Sir Bartle Frere on 3 July 1882.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
A manuscript containing a 'Translation of Dr Hahn's Damara-German Dictionary Presented to his Excellency Sir Bartle Frere... by the Translator Major Erskine... 19th January 1880'. Karl Hugo Hahn was a Baltic German missionary and linguist who worked in South Africa and South-West Africa for most of his life. This translation was undertaken whilst Erskine was Resident Magistrate in Walvis Bay, Damaraland (Namibia). Damara is one of the Khoisan languages of Southern Africa.
The manuscript is handwritten with many alterations. It is bound in a card and leather cover which shows considerable wear. One section of the manuscript has become detached from the spine.
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
- Khoisan Language
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
The Society possesses an English translation of "Entwurf einer Grammatik der Herero Sprache", also by Karl Hugo Hahn (SC25). It was the first grammar of the Herero language spoken by the Herero people in Southern Africa.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Erskine David 1816-1903 (Subject)
- Frere Sir Bartle 1815-1884 (Subject)
- Hahn Karl Hugo 1818-1895 (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
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 manuscript was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.