Hodgson used much of his time in both Nepal and Darjeeling in research, wanting to discover and understand about the architecture, languages, ethnography, religion, zoology and botany. He collected specimens and manuscripts, and had many drawings made, which he donated to many collections throughout Europe. He was also politically involved during his Residency in Nepal, and also later in England, when he continued to show an active interest in the Indian subcontinent, particularly regarding trade and vernacular education. These Personal Papers reflect these interests and are a record of much of his activity - Hodgson and his wives seemed to have a need to record all his successes. He was also a keen annotator of material, so that most of the printed material also bears his handwritten comments.

"Autograph Book belonging to Susan Hodgson, Alderley Grange, Wotton under Edge" A leather bound autograph book belonging to Hodgson's wife, Susan, in which are placed certificates, diplomas, academic and personal correspondence, newspaper cuttings and extracts related to Brian Houghton Hodgson's life. Leather binding with metal clasp. The book's binding is broken and some pages are loose. Care must be taken when using this item.

Letter from Robert Gordon Latham to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he acknowledges the receipt of Hodgson's letters and works, and discusses ethnological and linguistic points relating to Aryans, Europeans and various Himalayan tribes including Chepangs, Magars, Gurungs, Kusundas, Hayus, Lhopa. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 10 August 1852.

Letter from G. Rosen to Brian Houghton Hodgson to acknowledge with thanks the copy of Hodgson's essay on Indo-Chinese Borderers. He expresses the usefulness of the essay and promises to send his own essays through their common friend Dr. Max Müller. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 28 September 1853.

Certificate and accompanying letter from the Ethnological Society of London to Brian Houghton Hodgson to state his election as a Honorary Fellow of the Society. Certificate, printed material with handwritten insertions, 1 piece, dated 4 January 1854. Letter handwritten, signed by Richard Cull, Honorary Secretary, 1 piece, dated by Hodgson as received on 29 June 1856.

Account by Gajrajsing Thapa, "Kingdom of Nepal: Its Inhabitants, their laws, manner and customs by Captain Guj Raj Sing Thapa". Description of Nepal and its people. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated [1856].

This series covers all the other correspondence with the Papers of Brian Houghton Hodgson, It ranges in date from 1843 to 1880 and covers personal, political and research interests.

Letter from Joseph Barnard Davis to Brian Houghton Hodgson, 11 April 1859. Davis apologies for not replying sooner. They have come to the country for a few days to try to help relieve Mrs Davis' spasms of the stomach. He writes about collecting ethnological data and will go to the British Museum to see some of the heads. He had seen Schlginhbeit's casts when they were exhibited by Colonel Sykes. Davis writes of a letter he has received from a friend in the Sandwich Isles who is a geologist and a little of an ethnologist. Davis continues with more ethnological discussion. Handwritten, 4 sides with accompanying envelope, dated 11 April 1859.

Letter from Mr James Clark, President of the Ethnological Society, to Brian Houghton Hodgson to thank him for the works he has donated to the Society and to invite him to the next meeting. Handwritten with printed letterhead, 3 sides, undated. With this is a formal printed announcement of the next meeting of the Ethnological Society for 18 May 1859. Signed by Thomas Wright, Honorary Secretary. Printed material, 1 side, dated 8 May 1859. Also accompanying envelope with Hodgson's annotations.

Hodgson was very interested in the different tribes and languages of the Himalayan region. This set of manuscripts shows some of the research he undertook and the vocabularies that he compiled.