Description of Special Collection

Collection Level Description:

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Collection name: Papers of Charles, 2nd Earl Grey

Collection code: GB 033 GRE-B

Date range: 1762-1875 (predominantly 1800-1837)

Extent: 17 metres

Language: English

Created by: Charles, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845), and members of his family

Part of : Earl Grey Papers

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Contents:
The loose papers are mainly political, and the division between "political and public" and "family and personal" in their arrangement is very imprecise, with much of political interest to be found in the latter category.
The papers strongly reflect the 2nd earl's interest in parliamentary reform, from as early as 1792, his support for Catholic emancipation, and his enduring interest in foreign affairs. There is little political material, however, before 1800. Most of Grey's closest friends and political associates, such as Lord John Russell, Charles James Fox, Lord Holland, Lord Palmerston, Samuel Whitbread, etc. are well represented, as are foreign statesmen, foreign ambassadors in London, and British ambassadors abroad. There is also much of domestic interest, on topics as varied as vaccination, education, charitable matters, and family relationships.
The volumes are largely letter-books, mostly copy letters but including original letters of the 1st Earl of Durham to Grey as well as copies of Durham's despatches from St Petersburg to Palmerston.
About the creator:
Eldest surviving son of 1st Earl Grey. Styled Viscount Howick 1806-1807. Married Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby, daughter of 1st Baron Ponsonby. 8 surviving sons and 5 daughters.
M.P. for Northumberland 1786-1807, when he succeeded to the earldom. First Lord of the Admiralty 1806, Foreign Secretary 1806-1807, First Lord of the Treasury (Prime Minister) 1830-1834.
Arrangement:
Political and public papers in files by correspondent or subject, arranged in one alphabetical sequence (although several minor correspondents are sometimes lumped in one file, slightly interrupting the sequence), followed by misc. papers, notes for speeches, two additional boxes of subject files (Church of Ireland, Education in Ireland, Ireland II, Italy), addresses to Earl Grey, and then family and personal papers, and transcripts of the earl's correspondence. Volumes are shelved in a separate sequence (GRE/V/B).
Catalogues:
1. Political and public papers, and volumes: available online at http://endure.dur.ac.uk:8080/fedora/objects/UkDhU:EADCatalogue.0133/datastreams/XTF/content
2. Family and personal papers: the published list is superseded by an annotated search room list, in order of correspondent, and a box list.
The lists do not indicate the content of correspondence.
Bibliography:
Derry, John W., Charles, Earl Grey: aristocratic reformer (Oxford, 1992)
Smith, E.A., Lord Grey, 1764-1845 (Oxford, 1990)

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Index terms

Lambton, John George, Earl of Durham, 1792-1840.
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806.
Grey, Charles, Earl, 1764-1845.
Fox, Henry Vassall, Baron Holland, 1773-1840.
Temple, Henry John, Viscount Palmerston, 1784-1865.
Russell, John, Lord, 1792-1878.
Whitbread, Samuel, 1764-1815.
Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- 1800-1837.
Great Britain -- History -- 1800-1837.
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1800-1837.
Ireland -- History -- 1800-1837.
Catholic emancipation.

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Date last modified: 16 November 2008