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.

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.

A set of six manuscripts. Most of these are concerned with Hodgson's comparison of vocabularies in the Himalayan region. There are also notes concerning English-German vocabulary.

Comparative Vocabulary of the Kiranti. "Comparative vocabulary of the several languages (dialects) of the celebrated people called Kirântis, now occupying the Eastern most province of the Kingdom of Nêpal, or the basin of the river Arun, which province is named after them, Kirânt. By B.H. Hodgson B.C.S." Sheets of vocabulary comparing English, Rodong or Chámlingu, Rúngchlíngbúng, Chlingtángya, Náchheríng, Wáling, Yákha, Chouraśya, Kulúnģya and Thulunģgya. Handwritten, 6 large sheets, 11 sides, undated.

Continuation of the Comparative Vocabulary of the Kirântis. "Continuation of the comparative vocabulary of the several dialects of the Kirânti language B.H. Hodgson R.C.S." Vocabulary sheets comparing English, Báhinggyá, Lόhόrόng, Lámbichhang, Báláli, Sángpáng, Dúmi, Kháling and Dúngmáli. With extra annotations. Handwritten, 6 large sheets, 12 sides, undated.

Vocabulary of the Broken Tribes of Himalaya. "Printed in Jour. Asi. Soc. Bengal, Vocabulary of Broken tribes of Himalaya to As. Soc of Bengal Oct 9 1857 with memoir on Váyus". Vocabulary sheets comparing English, Kusundá, Pákhyá, Thakśya and Tháru. handwritten, 6 large sheets, dated 9 October 1857.

Comparative Vocabulary of the Broken tribes of Nepal. "Comparative vocabulary of the languages of the broken tribes of Népál". Vocabulary sheets comparing English, Dărăhí, Dénwár, Pahŕi or Pahi, Chépáng, Brá-mú, Hayu or Váyú, Kaswár. Handwritten, 4 large sheets, 8 sides plus a further sheet, 2 sides of notes, undated.

Continuation of the Comparative Vocabulary of the broken tribes of Nepal. "Continuation of the Comparative vocabulary of the languages of the broken tribes of Nepal by B H Hodgson". Vocabulary sheets comparing English, Kusuńda, Pakhýa, Thakśya and Tháru. Handwritten, 5 large sheets, 9 sides, undated.

From Asia Polyglotta, English - German Vocabulary. A German- English vocabulary list seemingly copied from Asian Polyglotta, Volume 1 pp. 89-137. Handwritten, 5 pieces, 16 sides, undated. (Asia Polyglotta by Heinrich Julius von Klaproth, Publication date 1823.)

Váyu / Háyu Language/Dialect. As set of nine manuscripts concerning the Váyu / Háyu Language/Dialect and its vocabulary.