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.

Copy of a letter from Alexander Csoma de Koros to Brian Houghton Hodgson, with critical comments on Hodgson's Hodgson's newly written work, "Notices of the Languages, Literature and Religion of the Bauddhas of Nepal and Bhot", in Asiatic Researches vol. 16, 1828. Includes comments on Tibetan pronunciation, history of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhist texts of Kagyur and Tangyur, the content or Kar-chyag of which he had sent to Csoma for perusal. Handwritten, 4 sides, original letter dated 30 December 1829.

The series consists of 38 letters from Joseph Dalton Hooker to Brian Houghton Hodgson. They have been organised mainly according to a previous listing made of the material, approximately by date.

Letter from Joseph Hooker to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he writes that being "horridly hard up for somebody to talk to I take up my pen…" The weather has been indifferent with mist and snow and though he has ventured into Tibet twice has little further to add to his previous descriptions. Hooker continues to describe both the climate and the geography in which he finds himself and writes about possible future plans. Handwritten, 9 sides, with accompanying envelope, dated 23 September, 1849.

Letter from Joseph Hooker to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he writes of his pleasure in receiving Hodgson's letters and how he is now hastening to reply to Hodgson's of the 22nd. He writes concerning his and others' impressions of Tibet and its accessibility; of the geography that he has encountered. He includes a sketch to show the true bearing of two ridges he has explored. Handwritten, 12 sides, with accompanying envelope, dated 4 October 1849.

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.

Correspondence from Sir Henry Yule. Two letters from Yule to Brian Houghton Hodgson regarding the political situation in Tibet. Both date to July 1873.

Letter from Sir Henry Yule to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he writes that Lieutenant Garnier of the French Navy is in China preparing to penetrate Tibet and has written to Yule to ask for questions of interest about the area. Yule is therefore asking Hodgson's advice. He writes how little is known from the Europeans who have been to Lhasa and mentions Thomas Manning and Vanderput, a Dutchman. The Asiatic Society have sent Yule some copies of Hodgson's letter on Buddhism and Yule sends some to Hodgson. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 1 July 1873. Also accompanying envelope with Hodgson's annotations.

Letter from Henry Yule to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he apologises for causing Hodgson so much writing and that he has been waiting for Montgomerie to be at home. He states that the papers Hodgson suggests will be very suitable and asks, if not too heavy, to send them via book post. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 23 July 1873. Also accompanying envelope with Hodgson's annotations.