Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [1800 - 1835] (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 items handwritten
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
David Price was an orientalist and army officer. Born in Wales, his father died when he was young and, despite being given a scholarship for university he was unable to afford to complete his course. Instead he joined the army of the East India Company and in 1781 sailed for Bombay. However he volunteered for temporary service in the south and took part in the siege of Negapatam and the capture of Trincomali in Ceylon. His ship completed its voyage to Bombay on 22 April 1782. As well as serving as an army officer Price undertook Persian studies. He retired in 1807 and returned to Wales.
He was a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, to which he bequeathed over seventy valuable oriental—chiefly Persian—manuscripts. He was published by the Oriental Translation Fund.
Repository
Archival history
The material originated with Price or was sent to him.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
It is unknown when either of these items entered the Society's collections.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The papers of David Price consist of a letter to him from a colleague in Tannah, dated 24 May 1800; and a draft translation of an Extract from a Preface to the Shahnamah of Firdausi.
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
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
David Price bequeathed many manuscripts to the Society. The collections also hold copies of publications written by him. Details can be found in our Library catalogue: https://ras.koha-ptfs.co.uk/.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Price David 1762-1835 (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
The material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.