Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 19th Century (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 rubbings, 5 sheets
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
William Woodville Rockhill was an American diplomat, author, and scholar of Chinese and, in particular, Tibetan studies. He served as United States Ambassador to Greece, Serbia, Romania, China, and Russia, and was known for helping to formulate the Open Door policy toward China advanced by the United States in the late 19th century. He became a member of the Society in 1882 and published an article on the geography, ethnography, and history of Tibet in the JRAS in 1891.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The notes accompanying the rubbings suggest that these were donated by William W. Rockhill to the Society in November 1893.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Two rubbings donated by William W. Rockhill, containing Chinese, Siddham and Tibetan writings.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Please contact the Archivist.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- Chinese
- Sanskrit
- Tibetan
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
Notes area
Note
William W. Rockhill also donated two Tibetan paintings to the Society during the same period, which are still in its possession. These are catalogued as Head Cat. No. 088.001 and 088.002 in the Library catalogue: https://ras.koha-ptfs.co.uk/
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
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Dates of creation revision deletion
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Sources
Archivist's note
These items were catalogued by James Liu, RAS Archivist, in March 2026.