Fonds DP - Papers of David Price

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 DP

Title

Papers of David Price

Date(s)

  • [1800 - 1835] (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

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.

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/.

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

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    Description control area

    Description identifier

    gb891-dp

    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.

        Accession area