Skip to main content

Brontë family manuscripts and correspondence

Archive Collection: BC MS 19c Brontë Contains records with digital media

Details

Type of record: Archive

Title: Brontë family manuscripts and correspondence

Level: Collection

Classmark: BC MS 19c Brontë

Creator(s): Brontë Family()

Date(s): 1812-1925

Language: English; French

Size and medium: ca. 20 vols, 12 folders, and 1 box; manuscript and typescript.

Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/8469

Collection group(s): English Literature

Description

A substantial collection of original and transcribed material by, or relating to, different members of the Brontë family.


The collection contains: (A) by Anne Brontë, an autograph manuscript discussing the truth of the Bible; (B) by Branwell Brontë, 'Letters from an Englishman', stories (some in miniature format), and poems, all autograph, and autograph and transcribed letters; (C) by Charlotte Brontë, poems transcribed by her husband, A.B. Nicholls, two autograph manuscripts in French, and numerous autograph letters; together with Elizabeth Gaskell's autograph manuscript describing a visit to Charlotte Brontë, letters from A.B. Nicholls relating to Charlotte Brontë, letters and manuscripts by Ellen Nussey, and transcripts of letters written to her, concerning members of the Brontë family, and letters written by the publishing firm Smith, Elder and Co. to C.K. Shorter and T.J. Wise; (F) by Maria Brontë, an autograph manuscript of 'The advantages of poverty in religious concerns', autograph letter to her husband, the Rev. Patrick Brontë; and an autograph letter from the latter.


Many of the volumes are bound in fine, mainly black, leather and are gilt-embossed on their spines with bibliographical details.

Biography or history

The Brontë family of Haworth, specifically Patrick, Maria, Branwell, Charlotte, Emily & Anne Brontë are the subject of numerous biographies.

Provenance

Much of the present collection of Brontë family manuscripts and letters was acquired by Lord Brotherton during the 1920s. Some material has been acquired at a later date. Where known, details of the acquisition of individual documents are recorded at file or item level..

Access and usage

Reproduction

Access

Access to this material is unrestricted.

This material is out of copyright and can be reproduced with the permission of the Library

© University of Leeds

On our website

BC MS 19c Brontë/B4/2

Research spotlight: Brontë family manuscripts: an introduction

Francis O'Gorman, Professor of Victorian Literature at the University of Leeds, introduces the Brontë family manuscripts, part of the original Brotherton Collection.

View full details...

Collection hierarchy

Visitor Basket

Ref No. Item Ref Title