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Papers of Dr. William Frazer FRCSI (1824–99)

Abstract Letters from correspondents primarily in the British Isles, but also from North America and the Middle East, encompassing a wide range of antiquarian concerns including archaeological finds, anatomy, sigillography, topography, numismatics, and Frazer's collection of autographs and prints.

In collection

Date
1813/1898
Extent
90 items
Location of original
Original items are located in UCD Archives.
Repository
UCD Archives
Irish Virtual Research Library and Archive
Repository reference
LA41
Language
English
Biographical History
A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, examiner in materia medica in the Queen's University, and a member of Council of the Royal Irish Academy, Frazer typified the world of nineteenth century antiquarianism. He had strongly developed interests in archaeology, numismatics, and sigillography. He succeeded Sir John Gilbert as Librarian of the RIA.
Scope and Content
This small collection of correspondence, consisting mainly of letters received by William Frazer, was transferred from the University Library to the Archives Department in September 1988. Its provenance prior to that transfer is uncertain.
Frazer was a licentiate of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the King and Queen’s College of Physicians in Ireland. Elected to fellowship of the former, his failure to achieve the same in the College of Physicians was a source of resentment documented by one of the few items in the collection originating from Frazer; a petition to the Chief Secretary concerning representation on the Governing Body of Physicians [LA41/4]. He was an examiner in the Queen’s University in material medica and published widely. But it is to his interests outside medicine, typically Victorian in their compass, that these letters relate in the main. These include archaeology, numismatics, geology, zoology and botany.
While the collection of ninety items is certainly fragmentary, it does provide a glimpse into the world and preoccupations of the nineteenth century antiquarian; and contains reference to at least one cause célèbre of contemporary museology, the Broighter Hoard [LA41/77]. Other letters are peppered with reference to accidental finds made in the course of digging drains, planting trees and, in one instance, a gamekeeper digging out a ferret [LA41/6]. There is additionally an abundance of evidence of the generosity which characterised the pursuit of learning. Articles are sent; woodcuts and illustrations are loaned; discoveries are described; information is freely exchanged; gifts of autographs are given.
The correspondence is as wide ranging in its origin as its scope; and includes letters from Horatio Robinson Storer, the noted Boston gynaecologist and medical numismatist [LA41/68-71]; Henry Gillenane, the United States consul in Jerusalem [LA41/40]; as well as letters from throughout the British Isles, from both individuals and the major centres of learning and curatorship.
Arrangement
The letters have been arranged in a simple chronological sequence with a couple of exceptions where a short sequence of letters from the same individual have been kept together irrespective of the general chronology. A small number of letters, neither written nor received by Frazer, presumably given to him for information or advice, have been separated as ‘other correspondence’ unless they contain some reference or direct relevance to Frazer.
Processing Information
The original processing of this material was carried out by Bernadette Chambers in 1989. This present list is based very much on her descriptive work. Letters are to William Frazer unless otherwise described.
Subjects
Frazer, William, 1824-1899--Archives
Frazer, William, 1824-1899--Correspondence
Antiquarians--Archives
Antiquarians--Correspondence
Antiquities
Archaeology
Anatomy
Seals (Numismatics)
Numismatics
Autographs--Collectors and collecting
Prints--Collectors and collecting

Record source
Finding Aid encoded in EAD by the Irish Virtual Research Library and Archive (IVRLA) - A.C. & J.G., March 2007.

Finding aid author
Seamus Helferty

I. CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. WILLIAM FRAZER, 1849 - 98

a. Four letters from Frank Renaud to William Frazer, 4 October 1890 - 29 May 1891

b. Four letters from Horatio Robinson Storer to William Frazer, 14 November 1895 - 27 September 1897

II. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE, 1813 - 83


I.   CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. WILLIAM FRAZER, 1849 - 98

1 [Letter from Robert Paterson (Constitution Street, Leith) to William Frazer (Dublin), regarding research papers on the late fever epidemic in Dublin.] (1849-01-17)   [View...]
2 [Testimonial letter from Alexander Carte (Royal Dublin Society) to William Frazer (124 Stephen's Green), in support of Frazer's application for an unidentified chair.] (1860-07-28)   [View...]
3 [Letter from Thomas R. Fraser (3 Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh) to William Frazer (Dublin), regarding research papers on relapsing fever and other topics.] (1871-05-19)   [View...]
4 [Copy address by William Frazer (20 Harcourt St., Dublin) to Sir Michael Hicks Beech, concerning representation of Licentiates on the Governing Body of the King & Queen’s College of Physicians of Ireland.] (1874-12-14)   [View...]
5 [Letter from the Office of the Lord Lieutenant (Dublin Castle) to William Frazer (20 Harcourt Street), acknowledging receipt of his letter concerning the College of Physicians.] (1874-12-15)   [View...]
6 [Letter from Robert H. Scott (Meteorological Office, 116 Victoria Street, London S.W.) to [?], regarding the sale coins found near the Hill of Down.] (1876-06-21)   [View...]
7 [Letter from [J. H. ?] Scott (Delgany) to Robert H. Scott, giving information on the provenance of a find of coins in her locality.] (1876-11-18)   [View...]
8 [Letter from Robert H. Scott (Meteorological Office, 116 Victoria Street, London S.W) to William Frazer, giving information on the provenance of a find of coins.] (1876-11-19)   [View...]
9 [Letter from Philip Dwyer (Bandon Street, Ennis) to William Frazer, mainly concerning reviews of an unidentified work of Dwyer's ["A handbook to Lisdoonvarna and its vicinity", Dublin].] (1878-09-02)   [View...]
10 [Letter from Margaret Stokes (Carrig Brear, Howth) to William Frazer, concerning Mr. Young’s work on pencil drawings for an unspecified publication.] (1881-03-18)   [View...]
11 [Letter from Mary Eliza Haweis (The Amber House, (Lord's) Regent’s Park) to William Frazer, enclosing the syllabus of her new book.] (1881-10-05)   [View...]
12 [Letter from Mary Eliza Haweis (The Amber House, Lords Regent’s Park) to William Frazer, seeking advice about suitable lodgings for a young friend travelling to Dublin to sit a Dublin University examination.] (1883-10-28)   [View...]
13 [Letter from Joseph Wright (39 Duncan Street, Cork) to [William Hellier Baily], mainly concerning rows of interambulacra in the genus Palachinus.] (1884-02-25)   [View...]
14 [Letter from C. A. Briggs (Dublin) to William Frazer, outlining research concerning John Henry, minister of the Presbytery of Dublin, and financial aid to the Presbytery of Philadelphia, which Frazer has offered to undertake.] (1884-04-29)   [View...]
15 [Letter from A. H. Jacob to Professor MacNamara (95 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin), requesting him to thank Dr. William Frazer for his gift of materia medica and chemical specimens to the R.C.S.I.] (1884-06-06)   [View...]
16 [Letter from C. A. Briggs (20 Bernard Street, Russell Court, London) to William Frazer, insisting on personal access to the minutes of the "General Fund".] (1884-06-07)   [View...]
17 [Letter from C. A. Briggs (20 Bernard Street, Russell Court, London) to William Frazer, outlining his reasons for insisting on personal access to the minutes of the "General Fund".] (1884-06-09)   [View...]
18 [Letter from C. A. Briggs (20 Bernard Street, Russell Court, London) to William Frazer, reiterating his reasons for insisting on personal access to the minutes of the "General Fund".] (1884-06-12)   [View...]
19 [Letter from John Ribton Garstin (Castlebellingham) to William Frazer, returning a letter mentioned at the Royal Irish Academy Council and referring Frazer to sources of information on a skull found in Dundalk.] (1884-06-16)   [View...]
20 [Letter from J. Browne (Dundalk) to William Frazer, giving details of a skull found in Dundalk, during construction of workmen’s houses belonging to the Great Northern Railway.] (1884-06-20)   [View...]
21 [Letter from E. Murphy (Kenmare, County Kerry) to William [Maunsell] Hennessy (Record Office, Four Courts), describing Murphy's study of Irish language and place names.] (1885-01-13)   [View...]
22 [Letter from William Turner (6 Eton Terrace, Edinburgh) to William Frazer, advising Frazer on the best sources for obtaining scientific instruments.] (1885-04-18)   [View...]
23 [Letter from T. A. Emmet (Aberartro, Llanbedr, Merioneth, Wales) to William Frazer (20 Harcourt St. Dublin), mainly discussing Emmet's present projects and offering a sum for letters relating to United Irishmen meetings.] (1886-08-15)   [View...]
24 [Letter from Robert Atkinson (Clareville, Upper Rathmines, Dublin) to William Frazer, informing Frazer of a visit from Professor Legge from Oxford, regarding Chinese seals from Hong Kong.] (1886-08-19)   [View...]
25 [Letter from William Maunsell Hennessy (71 Pembroke Road, Dublin) to William Frazer, discussing the origins of crannogs and similar structures, in relation to his edition of the "Annals of Loch Cé".] (1886-08-29)   [View...]
26 [Letter from D. Plunket to William Frazer, regretting that he cannot support Frazer's claim for the office of Deputy Keeper of the Rolls.] (1886-09-08)   [View...]
27 [Letter from David R. Pigot (Churchtown House, Dublin) to William Frazer (20 Harcourt Street, Dublin), regretting that he cannot propose Frazer at the [Royal Irish] Academy.] (1887-03-16)   [View...]
28 [Letter from Lili Stacpoole (Warwick Crescent, Maida Hill, London) to William Frazer, proposing a fee for the commission from the Royal Irish Academy to paint the portrait of Sir Samuel Ferguson.] (1887-05-20)   [View...]
29 [Letter from Lili Stacpoole (Warwick Crescent, Maida Hill, London) to William Frazer, concerning her application for the commission from the Royal Irish Academy to paint the portrait of Sir Samuel Ferguson.] (1887-06-22)   [View...]
30 [Letter from Thomas Witherow (College Hill, Londonderry) to William Frazer, regarding Witherow's gift of his "Historical Memorials" to the library of the Royal Irish Academy and thanking Frazer for his assistance with copying the "Derry MS".] (1888-01-05)   [View...]
31 [Letter from Edward A. Bond to William Frazer, concerning the continuation of catalogues [to the Royal Irish Academy].] (1888-02-26)   [View...]
32 [Postcard from F.[alconer] Madan (St. Mary’s Entry, Oxford) to William Frazer, thanking him for his assistance with research on "an early Bradshaw".] (1888-04-06)   [View...]
33 [Letter from Margaret Stokes (Lausanne, Switzerland) to William Frazer, mainly concerning books borrowed from the library of the Royal Irish Academy.] (1888-06-13)   [View...]
34 [Letter from E. Denning (Superintendent of the Galleries, Fine Art Department, Irish Exhibition, London) to William Frazer, congratulating Frazer on his collection of autographs and prints.] (1888-06-18)   [View...]
35 [Letter from Louis Fagan (British Museum) to William Frazer, enquiring about the catalogue of Frazer’s prints included in the Irish Exhibition and enclosing a catalogue of his lectures.] (1888-06-26)   [View...]
36 [Letter from John Ribton Garstin (Braganstown, Castle Bellingham) to William Frazer, regarding research on the "Louth Medal of 1755".] (1888-11-17)   [View...]
37 [Letter from Richard A. Hoblyn (Exchequer & Audit Department, Somerset House) to William Frazer, thanking him for a copy of Frazer's paper on the testoons of Henry VIII and giving details on a Bristol testoon, from the Cuff Collection.] (1889-01-16)   [View...]
38 [Postcard from G. F. Crowther (25 Bloomsbury Square, London W.C.) to William Frazer, thanking him for his pamphlet on Henry VIII.] (1889-01-16)   [View...]
39 [Letter from J. H. Hessels (Cambridge) to William Frazer, mainly seeking more information on Hugh Cuffe, the founder of the family of the Earl of Desart.] (1889-01-17)   [View...]
40 [Letter from Henry Gillenane (United States Consulate, Jerusalem, Palestine) to William Frazer (Dublin), thanking him for the paper on the testoons of Henry VIII; sending condolences on the death of Frazer's wife; and giving personal family news.] (1889-01-28)   [View...]
41 [Letter from Joseph Anderson (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland) to William Frazer, seeking Frazer’s help in tracking a missing seal of the Campbells of Craignish.] (1889-02-21)   [View...]
42 [Letter from [C. T. ?] Herbst (Rosenborg) to William Frazer, thanking him for his intention to propose Herbst for honorary membership of the Royal Irish Academy; also encloses descriptions of finds of coins and antiquities, and a catalogue of "our Museum of northern antiquities".] (1889-02-25)   [View...]
43 [Letter from John Gwynn (Alderley Lodge, Cheshire) to William Frazer, hoping that "the little Syriac Testament", which Frazer had loaned to Gwynn, has been returned safely.] (1889-10-14)   [View...]
44 [Letter from T. K. Abbott (Trinity College Dublin) to William Frazer, enquiring about a note by [George?] Petrie on "the harp called Brian Boroihue’s".] (1889-11-09)   [View...]
45 [Letter from Assheton Pownall (New Athenaeum Club, Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, London S.W.) to William Frazer, regarding a testoon which Pownall will exhibit that evening.] (1889-11-17)   [View...]
46 [Letter from T. K. Abbott (Trinity College Library, Dublin) to William Frazer, regarding references to articles in "Scottish Antiquaries’ Proceedings" and a paper by [George?] Petrie in "Bunting’s Ancient Music".] (1889-11-22)   [View...]
47 [Letter from [J. G. V. Porter] (Shelbourne Hotel) to William Frazer, regarding Mr. McSwiney and the return of a pamphlet.] (1890-02-20)   [View...]
48 [Letter from J. Romilly Allen (20 Bloomsbury Square, London) to William Frazer, regarding Romilly Allen’s book on Christian symbolism and the lack of a complete illustrated list of crosses in Ireland.] (1890-04-09)   [View...]
49 [Letter from Marcus M. Hartog (5 Roseneath, Cork) to William Frazer, requesting biographical information on Kirwan, on behalf of his brother, P. J. Hartog.] (1890-05-16)   [View...]
50 [Letter from E. M. Thompson (Principal Librarian, British Museum) to William Frazer, acknowledging the presentation by Frazer of "A Series of Papers on Irish Medals".] (1890-05-28)   [View...]
51 [Letter from R. S. Scharff (Science and Art Museum, Dublin) to William Frazer, regarding specimens from Sligo, including a loggerhead turtle found alive at Mullaghmore.] (1890-09-01)   [View...]

a.   Four letters from Frank Renaud to William Frazer, 4 October 1890 - 29 May 1891

52 [Letter from Frank Renaud (18 Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester) to William Frazer, mainly concerning the loan and exchange of traced copies of encaustic tiles.] (1890-10-04)   [View...]
53 [Letter from Frank Renaud (18 Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester) to William Frazer, mainly concerning the loan and exchange of traced copies of encaustic tiles.] (1890-10-28)   [View...]
54 [Letter from Frank Renaud (18 Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester) to William Frazer, mainly concerning the loan and exchange of traced copies of encaustic tiles.] (1890-11-22)   [View...]
55 [Letter from Frank Renaud (18 Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester) to William Frazer, mainly concerning examples of "post & pane houses".] (1891-05-29)   [View...]
56 [List of names and addresses of four members of the [Cambrian Archaeological Association], with a note as to their specialisations.] (1891-08)   [View...]
57 [Letter from J. Romilly Allen (20 Bloomsbury Square, London W.C.) to William Frazer, regarding the Ardagh chalice and the crozier exhibited at the Killarney meeting of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.] (1891-09-23)   [View...]
58 [Letter from Thomas Olden (Ballyclough, Mallow) to William Frazer, regarding Olden's "History of the Church of Ireland"; and a belief in the existence of an island in the Atlantic, referred to by Washington Irving.] (1892-03-04)   [View...]
59 [Memorandum by H. Pakenham Walsh (The Palace Kilkenny), giving details of a tibia and one of the Dunmore Caves, where it was found.] (1892-09)   [View...]
60 [Letter from the Marquis of Lorne (Inveraray) to William Frazer, concerning "The Legend of the Throwing of the Ball of Fat at the Charging Boar", which is told in Glenshee.] (1892-11-02)   [View...]
61 [Letter from Thomas J. Westropp (Royal Dublin Society Members’ Room) to William Frazer, with a list of localities in Clare, of which he has made sketches.] (1894-03-02)   [View...]
62 [Letter from R. J. Rice (Bushmount, Lixnaw, County Kerry) to William Frazer, regarding the origins of a circular stone and describing an "old Fort" [rath] in North County Kerry.] (1894-05-21)   [View...]
63 [Letter from R. J. Rice (Lixnaw, County Kerry) to William Frazer, concerning the characteristics of the raths in the area and giving details of one in the townland of Dromkeen East.] (1894-06-08)   [View...]
64 [Letter from R. J. Rice (Bushmount, Lixnaw, County Kerry) to William Frazer, regarding his attempt to visit the rath at Dromkeen East and describing other raths in the area.] (1894-06-23)   [View...]
65 [Letter from R. J. Rice (Bushmount, Lixnaw, County Kerry) to William Frazer, describing the features of a discovery made by his ploughman, which Rice thinks may be a grave.] (1894-10-23)   [View...]
66 [Letter from J. Edenburgen (Lynn House, Gillsland Road, Edinburgh) to William Frazer, concerning the miniatures of the Queen Margaret Gospel Book and its reproduction, sponsored by the Marquis of Bute.] (1895-01-19)   [View...]
67 [Letter from Miller Christy (Pryors, Broomfield, Nr Chelmsford) to William Frazer, thanking him for information and references to articles, which he will look up at the British Museum.] (1895-02-16)   [View...]

b.   Four letters from Horatio Robinson Storer to William Frazer, 14 November 1895 - 27 September 1897

68 [Letter from Horatio Robinson Storer (Newport, Rhode Island) to William Frazer, regarding the "Thompson" medals and the medal of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; and Robinson Storer's work on the numismatic history of medicine.] (1895-11-14)   [View...]
69 [Letter from Horatio Robinson Storer (Newport, Rhode Island) to William Frazer, informing him that the papers on the St. Patrick’s and Cromwell medallions have arrived; and that he has proposed Frazer for honorary membership of the American Numismatic & Archaeological Society of New York.] (1896-06-15)   [View...]
70 [Letter from Horatio Robinson Storer (Newport, Rhode Island) to William Frazer, regarding Frazer's interest in the history of anesthesia; the attitude in Boston to chloroform; and the lack of interest by English, Scotch and Irish physicians in the medallic history of their profession.] (1897-01-31)   [View...]
71 [Letter from Horatio Robinson Storer (Newport, Rhode Island) to William Frazer, regarding "the Robertson" medal and that of the Manchester infirmary.] (1897-09-27)   [View...]
72 [Letter from John Evans (Nash Mills, Hemel Hempstead) to William Frazer, providing Frazer with references in various numismatic publications to the medal inscribed ‘PROVINCIA CONNAGH’.] (1896-02-04)   [View...]
73 [Letter from Robert H. Scott (6 Elm Park Gardens, [London] S.W.) to William Frazer, thanking him for the references to his papers.] (1896-03-25)   [View...]
74 [Letter from Robert Munro (48 Manor Place, Edinburgh) to William Frazer, concerning five gold fibulae lately discovered in the south of Ireland.] (1896-06-27)   [View...]
75 [Letter from Walter Fitzgerald (Kilkea Castle, Mageney) to William Frazer, concerning the origin of coins he had sent Frazer.] (1896-09-09)   [View...]
76

Two letters from Sir Montague Chapman to William Frazer, 11 September, 4 October 1896

  • [Letter from Sir Montague Chapman (Leenane, County Galway) to William Frazer, inviting Frazer to inspect an unspecified ornament.]   [View...]
  • [Letter from Sir Montague Chapman (Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Meath) to William Frazer, making arrangements for Frazer to inspect an unspecified ornament.]   [View...]
77 [Letter from Robert Day (Myrtle Hill House, Cork) to William Frazer, mainly concerning gold items he purchased from a jeweller in the North [Broighter gold hoard].] (1896-09-24)   [View...]
78 [Letter from [Wilson?] Baird ([United Presbyterian Manse, Mandeline?]) to William Frazer, concerning books on tokens, their quality and availability.] (1897-03-01)   [View...]
79 [Letter from [J. W.?] Stubbs (Drumiskin House, Castlebellingham) to William Frazer, replying to Frazer’s query about marked stones; and describing other stones with runic characters, at a wall near Blackstaff National School.] (1897-03-02)   [View...]
80 [Letter from Martin A. S. Hume (Cavendish Mansions, Portland Place, London W.) to William Frazer, thanking him for his identification of "McGlanogh’s Castle" [MacClancy's Castle] on Lough Melvin.] (1897-04-08)   [View...]
81 [Letter from Robert Munro (48 Manor Place, Edinburgh) to William Frazer, explaining that he was unaware of Frazer's work on the bronze sickles of Ireland, in preparing his own work on the evolution of man.] (1897-05-13)   [View...]
82 [Letter from William Copeland Borlase (Bedford Court Mansions, Bedford Square, London) to William Frazer, mainly concerning Frazer's health and the publication of Copeland Borlase's book.] (1897-06-18)   [View...]
83 [Letter from W. H. D. Haggard (Huntington Castle, Clonegal) to William Frazer (Harcourt Street, Dublin), regarding an enquiry about Chinese seals.] (1897-09-13)   [View...]
84 [Letter from Baron Ardilaun (Ashford, Cong, County Galway) to William Frazer, enquiring whether Frazer can undertake the report on Economic Botany.] (1898-02-11)   [View...]
85 [Letter from Walter FitzGerald (Kilkea Castle, Mageney) to William Frazer, thanking him for sending the Baron of Lecale's letters.] (1898-11-10)   [View...]

II.   OTHER CORRESPONDENCE, 1813 - 83

86 [Letter and two memoranda from [C.?] W. Quin (Ballyornan) to William Monck Mason (Kildare Street, Dublin), concerning the earthen vessel uncovered on November 1796, at Mr. Chas Quin’s Farm, Ballyornan, Parish of Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow.] (1813-04-26)   [View...]
87 [Letter from James O'Neill (Kilkenny) to John O'Donovan (Dublin), enclosing documents regarding a "Testimonial to the memory of John Banim"; requesting O’Donovan’s assistance in getting subscriptions; and enquiring about Turlough O'Neill, who sat on the Irish Confederation of 1642 in Kilkenny] (1853-02-21)   [View...]
88 [Letter from Whitley Stokes (Lincoln’s Inn) to James Henthorn Todd, concerning Todd’s "Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh" and the editorial conventions he adopts.] (1867-12-07)   [View...]
89 [Letter from Sylvester Malone (Kilkee) to James Henthorn Todd (Trinity College Dublin), concerning Todd's translation of the Book of Leinster and the possible translation of other manuscripts, including the Book of Iniscathaig (sic), the Gospels of Roscrea and the Annals of Nenagh.] (1868-01-13)   [View...]
90 [Letter from Frederick William Rudler (Museum of Practical Geology) to [William Hellier Baily], regarding Baily's interests at the Council of the Geological Society and the publication of a second volume of "Characteristic Fossils".] (1883-02-03)   [View...]

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