This is a series of documents of correspondence and testimonials reflecting the activities of Brian Houghton Hodgson in the period 1836-1848. Hodgson and his wives were keen collectors of letters and statements that reflected well upon the work in which he was involved.

Letter from Alexander Johnston, Vice-president of Royal Asiatic Society, to Brian Houghton Hodgson to thank him for his letter which he has shared with Sir James Camac, East India Company Chairman, and Colonel Sykes. They are in agreement about the importance of Hodgson's intended publication on Nepal zoology. Johnston expresses the admiration of his friends in this country for the work that Hodgson is undertaking. He will publish Hodgson's letter in the next issue of the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 6 July 1836.

Letter from James Prinsep, Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, to Sir Alexander Johnston, Vice-President of the Royal Asiatic Society, to accompany the sending of the package to the RAS by Brian Houghton Hodgson re his publication about Nepal Zoology and suggesting that they pursue Sir William Jardine's option for publication. Accompanying the letter is a list of subscribers and the number of copies they are willing to purchase. Handwritten, 8 sides, dated 6 August 1837.

Letter from J Forshale, Secretary, British Museum, to Brian Houghton Hodgson in which he is directed by the Trustees to acknowledge Hodgson's letter and to express the Trustees' thanks for the series of Skins and Drawings which Hodgson has presented to the Museum with the promise of completing the series. The trustees would like to accept this offer and will instruct their Officer to go to Hodgson at Canterbury to assist him on the preparations for these specimens and those for other institutions.. However the Trustees must also express their regret that they are unable to help with the publications which Hodgson has proposed - this falls beyond the remit they consider appropriate for them. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 20 December 1844.

Brian Houghton Hodgson seemed to be a keen compiler of lists, often of his specimens and drawings, and of his donations to the scientific and oriental establishments of his day. These were sometimes needed for transportation or storing of the articles itemised. This series comprises of 20 lists.

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 Dr Clarke Abel to Brian Houghton Hodgson. Abel apologises for appearing indifferent to Hodgson's researches and will now put forward Hodgson's observations to the Physical Committee with any thoughts that occur to him and suggest the animal is named Antelope Hodgsonii, so the scientific community may know to whom they are indebted for knowledge of the species. He asks whether Hodgson knows anything of its feeding methods in the wild. He writes that Wallich (Nathaniel Wallich, Superintendent Botanic Garden, Calcutta) has sent him two porcupine skins and asks whether Hodgson knows anything of their habits. He also asks about a French half caste boy whom he has engaged, whether he will be admitted into Nepal. He asks how thrives the rhinoceros? Abel regrets to have to inform Hodgson that most of the skins Hodgson sent are in poor condition. He is keen to obtain meteorological reports from different parts of India and wonders whether Hodgson has any. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 5 December 1825.

Letter from Dr Clarke Abel to Brian Houghton Hodgson. He writes, in case Hodgson has not seen the Government Gazette, to send a copy of the report of the Physical Committee by which Hodgson will see how largely the Committee is indebted to his communications. Hodgson's antelope is an interesting animal in many respects and Abel asks for more information on him. Abel has received the skins that Hodgson sent and intends to make some of them the contents of a Paper. He also thanks Hodgson for samples of minerals and a Bhotan Grammar. He asks in what conditions the specimens were found and whether Hodgson knows anything about a Chinese stone often used as ornament. Abel is submitting some of Hodgson's work to the Calcutta Scientific Journal. He asks that Hodgson will guide Louis Francois to the animals he should study. He hopes that Hodgson may some time come to Calcutta. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 18 February 1826.

Letter from Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778-1858), Director of the Leiden Museum of Natural History, to Brian Houghton Hodgson to acknowledge and thank Hodgson for his gift of mammals and birds from Nepal. Handwritten in French, 3 sides, dated 18 December 1845.