Fonds DE - Papers of David Erskine

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 DE

Title

Papers of David Erskine

Date(s)

  • 1878 - 1882 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

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 fromread more

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 inread more

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 isread more

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

Allied materials area

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.

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Description control area

Description identifier

gb891-de

Archivist's note

This manuscript was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.