About the George Finlay Papers
The George Finlay Papers contain materials created by and related to the British Historian and Philhellene George Finlay, his father John Finlay, Greek-American Philhellene George Jarvis, and British Philhellene Captain Frank Abney Hastings, dating from 1791 to 1949. Most of the collection consists of George Finlay’s meticulous records of his travels, personal and official correspondence, his personal expenditures, copious memoranda on strategy and on military and political organisation, journal entries, maps, facetiae, scrapbooks, personal notes on people—Greeks and others—and on revolutionary events, newspaper cuttings mainly on Greece and international affairs, as well as Finlay’s original manuscripts of the History of the Greek Revolution (1861) as well as corrected proofs of Finlay’s other published works.
Also included are the papers of Finlay’s father, John, two journals of Greek American philhellene, George Jarvis, and those of Finlay’s fellow British philhellene, Captain Frank Abney Hastings. The Hastings papers, which Finlay purchased in 1830, include personal and official correspondence, ship’s logs, notes that he took on board or ashore, as well as memoranda on strategy and on the naval organisation of the revolutionary forces. Collectively, these records reveal a great deal about the character, motivations, ideas, as well as the military and political judgements of these British individuals, as well as of many others, both British and Greek, with whom they interacted during the Greek War of Independence as well as many of Finlay's other interests, such as Classical and Byzantine history, natural history and politics.
Aubrey de Vere to George Finlay [24 August 1843]. Sends George Finlay copy of his book The Waldenses . . ., Oxford, 1842 (letter attached to front flyleaf of his book).
Book, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη (The New Testament). Contains a letter attached to front flyleaf (original), dated June 11th 1844.
The Revd. Henry D. Leeves to George Finlay. Sends new Greek translation of the New Testament by N. Bambas, assisted by C. Nicolaides and L (stuck on front of Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη . . ., Athens, 1844).
Book by Sir Charles Fellows (Travels and Researches in Asia Minor). Contains a letter (original), dated July 1844 (originally attached to front flyleaf, now loose and stored in archive). A photocopy has been pasted in the place of the original. Book has been rebound (no date).
Sir Charles Fellows to George Finlay. London, July 1844. To introduce the Revd. G. S. Cantley who is visiting Greece (previously attached to front flyleaf of C. F., Travels and Researches in Asia Minor . . ., London, 1852, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by J. Spon and G. Wheler (Voyage d'Italie, de Dalmatie, de Grèce). Contains a letter in French (original, attached to front flyleaf), dated 17 December 1844. 'J A Toole' is handwritten in ink on the title page.
Ludwig Ross to George Finlay. 17 December 1844. Asks to borrow vol. 1 of Spon's book on Athens (stuck on front flyleafof J. Spon and G. Wheler, Voyage d'ltalie, de Dalmatie, de Grèce . . ., vol. 1, Amsterdam, 1679).
Book by John Young (A Criticism on the Elegy), with the spine reading Grays Elegy. Contains a letter (original), dated 3 April 1845 (attached to front flyleaf), a handwritten description of the situation, the letter Finlay sent, and the response of the editor, and newspaper clippings glued on the inside of the front and back covers (dated 29 Jan 1845, 15 jan 1845 {accompanied by a handwritten note by Finlay}, and 22 Jan 1845) about Dewhurst's lecture.
T. Hayes to George Finlay. Liverpool Courier Office, 3 April 1845. Acknowledges justice of George Finlay's accusation of plagiarism against H. W. Dewhurst but begs him to let matter drop (letter stuck on front flyleaf of Young, Criticism on the Elegy . . . of Gray, 2nd edn., Edinburgh, 1810). Just before is a page handwrittten by Finlay outlining the situation, the letter he sent to the newspaper, and the editor's response.
Newspaper clipping on Analytical Lecture on Gray's Elegy, 29 Jan, 1845 (third installment of the transcription) (attached to front flyleaf of Young, Criticism on the Elegy . . . of Gray, 2nd edn., Edinburgh, 1810 ).
Book by John Robert Steuart (A Description of Some Ancient Monuments, with Inscriptions, Still Existing in Lydia and Phrygia). Contains a letter (original) attached to the front flyleaf, dated 9 March 1846.
John Robert Steuart to George Finlay. Naples, 9 March 1846. Presents George Finlay with his book on ancient monuments and recommends the bearer Tomaso Paxos to him (stuck on front flyleaf of J. R. S., Description of Some Ancient Monuments . . . in Lydia and Phrygia, London, 1842).
Book by John Mayer (The Sportsman's Directory). Contains a letter (previously loose in the book, now loose and stored in archive), dated 6 November 1846.
P. Griffith to George Finlay. Athens, 6 November 1846. Request for loan of book on sport (previously loose in The Sportsman's Directory, London, 1838, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by Alexander Finlay (Letters on a Journey to Bombay…in 1834-5). Contains a letter (original, previously attached to front flyleaf, now loose and stored in archive) dated 12 April 1847 (a photocopy has been placed in the book) and a newspaper clipping (previously loose in book, now loose and stored in archive). There is a page at the front of the book that includes a handwritten dedication to David Finlay (possibly from Alexander Finlay). The title bears the handwritten phrase 'by Alexander S Finlay,' and there is a handwritten note by George Finlay on p. 176.
David Finlay to George Finlay. H.M. Ship Rodney, Piraeus, 12 April 1847. Hopes to meet George Finlay (previously attached to front flyleaf of Alexander Finlay, Letters on a Journey to Bombay . . . in 1834-5, printed privately, 1837, now loose and stored in archive).
Newspaper clipping concerning a bank robbery (previously loose in Alexander Finlay, Letters on a Journey to Bombay . . . in 1834-5, printed privately, 1837, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by Blackie (Homer and the Iliad) (same as FIN/GF/B/9/45). Contains a letter (apparent fascimile) glued to the front cover, dated 17 January 1848. Another letter (apparent fascimile) glued before the title page, dated 14 June 1866 (FIN/GF/B/9/45/1).
John Stuart Blackie to George Finlay. University, Edinburgh, 17 January 1848. Discusses Greek and British policy. Personal news; his work on Homer ; the university of Edinburgh (stuck on front flyleaf of J. S. B., Homer and the Iliad, vol. 1, Edinburgh, 1866).
Book by Louis Lacroix (Recherches sur la religion des Romains). Bound with two other volumes (spine reads Roman History: Tracts). The title page of the book bears the handwritten titles of the three volumes bound within. Contains a letter (bound at front of Lacroix's title), dated 21 April 1848. Also contains a handwritten dedication note to Finlay from Lacroix on the title page and a brief correction in pencil by Finlay on p. 269.
Louis Lacroix to George Finlay. 21 April 1848. Discusses loan of 'mémoires' (bound at front of L. Lacroix, Recherches sur la religion des Romains . . ., Paris, 1846).
Book by Jean-Alexandre Buchon (Chroniques étrangères). Contains a letter in French (original), dated 17 August 1849 (attached to front flyleaf). Also contains George Finlay's signature on the title page with the date 1840 and hand-written notes in pencil by Finlay throughout the book. At one point is recorded to have contained drawing of coats of arms and notes by Finlay (now loose and stored in archive).
Jean-Alexandre Buchon to George Finlay. Paris, 17 August 1849. On Greek political situation and B's desire for a constitutional and independent Greece (in French, stuck on front flyleaf of J. A. C. B., Chroniques étrangères. . ., Paris, 1840).
George Finlay's note on coats of arms (previously loose in J. A. C. B., Chroniques étrangères. . ., vol. III Paris, 1840, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by William M. Leake (Numismatica Hellenica). Contains two letters (both original), dated 16 December 1850 and 15 January 1851 (first attached to front flyleaf, second previously attached to front flyleaf and now stored loose in archive—a photocopy has been put in its place). Notes in pencil in George Finlay's hand on pp. 1, 35, 65, 85. French newspaper clipping taped to p. 101.
George Finlay to the Revd. Josiah Forshall, British Museum. Athens, 16 December 1850. Suggests purchase of rare Athenian coin by B.M.; sends a cast (stuck on front flyleaf of William M. Leake, Numismatica Hellenica. . ., London, 1856).
Edward Hawkins to George Finlay. British Museum, London, 15 January 1851. B.M. would like the Athenian decadrachm but thinks price excessive (previously on front fly leaf of William M. Leake, Numismatica Hellenica . . ., London, 1856, now stored loose in archive).
Book by Henry Fynes Clinton (Fasti Hellenici). Contains a letter (original), dated 1 March 1852 (attached to front flyleaf). Handwritten notes by Finlay throughout the book. Handwritten note in Greek on title page (not Finlay).
N. Hill to George Finlay. Royal Society of Literature, London, 1 March 1852. Has sent specified numbers of Society's Proceedings, with 2 maps and papers in Transactions (stuck on front flyleafof H. F. Clinton, Fasti Hellenici. . ., vol. 2, Oxford, 1834).
Book by G. Bancroft (History of the United States) (same as FIN/GF/B/9/29, FIN/GF/B/9/58, and FIN/GF/B/9/59). Contains five letters (originals), dated 19 March 1852 (FIN/GF/B/9/23/1), 28 March 1853 (FIN/GF/B/9/23/2), November 3 1853 (FIN/GF/B/9/29/1), October 1872 (see FIN/GF/B/9/58/1) and 23 November 1872 (FIN/GF/B/9/59/1a). The first (1852) is in Greek and the other four are in English. The first four were previously loose at the back of the book and are now stored loose in archive. The fifth (1872) is pasted on the front flyleaf (FIN/GF/B/9/59/1a). Also contains the front of an envelope adressed to Finlay pasted on inside of front cover (original) (FIN/GF/B/9/59/1b) and Bancroft's visiting card (original) (FIN/GF/B/9/59/2). Front flyleaf bears a handwritten dedication note to Finlay from C. C. Felton. Annotations by Finlay in pencil throughout the book.
Evangelinos A. Sophocles to George Finlay. 19 March 1852. To introduce Professor Cornelius Conway Felton (in Greek, previously loose at back of G. Bancroft, History of the United States. . ., vol. 1, Boston, 1854, now loose and stored in archive).
G.A.-(?) to George Finlay. New Jersey, 28 March 1853. To introduce Professor Cornelius Conway Felton of Cambridge, Massachusetts, intending to visit antiquities of Greece (letter previously loose at end of G. Bancroft, History of the United States. . ., now loose and stored in archive).
Book by Johann Georg von Hahn (Alhanesische Studien). Contains two letters (originals) in German (Gothic script), dated 26 January 1853 and 9 February 1854, both stuck on front flyleaf. Also contains a death notice for von Hahn (previously loose in the book and now loose and stored in archive). Handwritten dedication note to Finlay in German on one of the front flyleaves. Handrwitten notes and annotations in pencil by Finlay throughout the book.
Johann Georg von Hahn to George Finlay. Syra, 26 January 1853. Letter from H (in German, Gothic script, stuck on front flyleaf of H's Alhanesische Studien, Vienna, 1853).
Johann Georg von Hahn to George Finlay. Syra, 9 February 1854. Letter from H (in German, Gothic script, stuck on front flyleaf of H's Alhanesische Studien, Vienna, 1853).
Death notice for Johann Georg Ritter von Hahn (previously loose in H's Alhanesische Studien, Vienna, 1853, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by Andreas Papadopulos-Bretos (Mémoires biographiques-historiques sur . . . Jean Capodistrias). Contains a letter in French (original), dated 13/25 June 1853 (attached to front flyleaf). Handwritten notes in pencil by George Finlay on pp 137, 141, 149.
Andreas Papadopoulos-Vretos to George Finlay. Athens, 13/25 June 1853. Sends George Finlay his articles on Gibbon and on Greeks in the Black Sea (in French, attached to front flyleaf of A. P.-V., Mémoires biographiques-historiques sur . . . Jean Capodistrias, vol. 1, Paris, 1837).
Book by John Stuart Blackie (The Pronunciation of Greek). Three other volumes bound together with this book. Contains two letters (originals), first dated 27 June 1853 and second undated, first attached to front flyleaf, second tucked in near the back of the book. Handwritten annotation in pencil by Finlay on pp. 20 and 19 (third volume). Handwritten dedication notes to Finlay on the title pages of the other three volumes (marked 2, 3, and 4 in pencil).
John Stuart Blackie to George Finlay. 27 June 1853. To introduce James Clyde (stuck on front flyleaf of J. S. B., The Pronunciation of Greek..., Edinburgh, 1852).
? to George Finlay, n. d. Thanks for The Eastern Star newspaper and comments on a theological dispute (stuck near back of J. S. B., The Pronunciation of Greek..., Edinburgh, 1852).
Book by J. A. Cramer (A Geographical and Historical Description of Ancient Greece, vol. 1) (same as FIN/GF/B/9/81). Contains two letters (originals), dated 6 September 1853 (previously attached to back flyleaf, now loose and stored in archive) (FIN/GF/B/9/27/1), the second undated (original, previously attached to back flyleaf, now loose and stored in archive) (see FIN/GF/B/9/81/1). Handwritten notes by Finlay on front flyleaf, pp. 72, 140, and 451.
Charles Holt Bracebridge to George Finlay. 6 September 1853. To introduce Mr. Reeve, Clerk to the Privy Council (previously stuck on back flyleaf of J. A. Cramer, A Geographical and Historical Description of Ancient Greece, vol. 1, Oxford, 1828, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by Julius Milligen (Memoirs of the Affairs of Greece) (same as FIN/GF/B/9/3). Contains a letter (original) pasted on front flyleaf, dated 16 October 1824 (FIN/GF/B/9/3/1). Also contains annotations in pencil from Finlay throughout the book and a green ribbon in between pp. 148-149. Also present is "extract from the Diario dell' Asedio di Navarino memorie di Giacinto Collegno p. 86" bound after the last page (p. 338) (not included by Hussey) and a letter pasted on the back cover dated 19 September 1853 (FIN/GF/B/9/28/1).
Julius Millingen to George Finlay. Constantinople, 19 September 1853. To introduce the Revd. U. Blackiston who is visiting Athens. Request for purchase of Greek vases for M (stuck at back of Julius Millengen, Memoirs of the Affairs of Greece. . ., London, 1831)
Book by G. Bancroft (History of the United States) (same as FIN/GF/B/9/23, FIN/GF/B/9/58, and FIN/GF/B/9/59). Contains five letters (originals), dated 19 March 1852 (FIN/GF/B/9/23/1), 28 March 1853 (FIN/GF/B/9/23/2), November 3 1853 (FIN/GF/B/9/29/1), October 1872 (see FIN/GF/B/9/58/1) and 23 November 1872 (FIN/GF/B/9/59/1a). The first (1852) is in Greek and the other four are in English. The first four were previously loose at the back of the book and are now stored loose in archive. The fifth (1872) is pasted on the front flyleaf (FIN/GF/B/9/59/1a). Also contains the front of an envelope adressed to Finlay pasted on inside of front cover (original) (FIN/GF/B/9/59/1b) and Bancroft's visiting card (original) (FIN/GF/B/9/59/2). Front flyleaf bears a handwritten dedication note to Finlay from C. C. Felton. Annotations by Finlay in pencil throughout the book.
Cornelius Conway Felton to George Finlay. 3 November 1853. Thanks George Finlay for his invitation to dine (previously loose at back of G. Bancroft, History of the United States, Boston, 1854, now loose and stored in archive).
Book by Baron Richard Monckton Milnes (Memorials of a Tour…in Greece). Contains two letters (originals), dated 28 February 1859 (attached to p. 14) (FIN/GF/B/9/30/1) and 10 November 1865 (stuck to p. 124 of book) (see FIN/GF/B/9/43/1). Also contains extensive handwritten notes near the beginning of the book (not by Finlay), several illustrations ('pencil sketch of the author by a lady' (1848); 'Tempi di Pesto,' hand-painted engraving (?) (5 x 10 cm); 'Psorarus of Corfu' painting (18 x 26 cm); 'Costume of Sinardes,' painting (18 x 26 cm); double-sided drawing of 'Turkish tombs,' pencil sketch 'by William Gell, and overleaf 'Rhodes' in pen and pencil by Gell (13 x 24 cm); double-sided drawing of pencil sketch of 'Church, now mosque' by Gell, and overleaf pencil sketch by Gell of Palace of the Grand Master (13 x 24 cm); 'Souliots,' coloured drawing by Gell of (7 x 13 cm), 'Via Mala,' hand-painted engraving (18 x 21 cm); 'Pnyx,' pencil drawing by Gell (13 x 18 cm); 'Athens,' watercolour by Gell (22 x 34 cm)), and three newspaper clippings (one pasted on p. 123, one pasted on p. 133, and one previously loose in the book, now loose and stored in archive {FIN/GF/B/9/30/2}). photo p. 195 pencil sketch 136 (aegina stanley) Also contains a handwritten poem on the front flyleaf, a handwritten description of the death of a Henry Hallam on another front flyleaf, and a description of Hallam's funeral on the page facing the previous one. Not originally George Finlay's book; it was presented to the BSA Library by A.M.W. Hodgson on 10 April 1924.
Henry Bayle to his niece Bessie (Masson). 5 Levin Square, Bath, 28 February 1859. Information on St. Spyridon and his festival at Corfu (stuck on p. 14 of Richard Monckton Milnes, Memorials of a Tour . . . in Greece, London, 1834, illustrations added 1860). Extensive handwritten notes near the beginning of the book, not in Finlay's hand. Illustrations include: 'pencil sketch of the author by a lady' (1848); 'Tempi di Pesto,' painting (5 x 10 cm); 'Psorarus of Corfu' painting (18 x 26 cm); 'Costume of Sinardes,' painting (18 x 26 cm); double-sided drawing of 'Turkish tombs,' pencil sketch 'by William Gell, and overleaf 'Rhodes' in pen and pencil by Gell (13 x 24 cm); double-sided drawing of pencil sketch of 'Church, now mosque' by Gell, and overleaf pencil sketch by Gell of Palace of the Grand Master (13 x 24 cm); 'Souliots,' coloured drawing by Gell of (7 x 13 cm), 'Via Mala,' hand-painted engraving (18 x 21 cm), newspaper cutting 1st Jan 1866 pasted in re: kidnapping by brigands (14 x 18 cm); 'Pnyx,' pencil drawing by Gell (13 x 18 cm); 'Athens,' watercolour by Gell (22 x 34 cm); news cutting on excavations at Athens.
Newspaper clipping on Crete (previously loose in Richard Monckton Milnes, Memorials of a Tour . . . in Greece, London, 1834, illustrations added 1860). Extensive handwritten notes near the beginning of the book, not in Finlay's hand. Illustrations include: 'pencil sketch of the author by a lady' (1848); 'Tempi di Pesto,' painting (5 x 10 cm); 'Psorarus of Corfu' painting (18 x 26 cm); 'Costume of Sinardes,' painting (18 x 26 cm); double-sided drawing of 'Turkish tombs,' pencil sketch 'by William Gell, and overleaf 'Rhodes' in pen and pencil by Gell (13 x 24 cm); double-sided drawing of pencil sketch of 'Church, now mosque' by Gell, and overleaf pencil sketch by Gell of Palace of the Grand Master (13 x 24 cm); 'Souliots,' coloured drawing by Gell of (7 x 13 cm), 'Via Mala,' hand-painted engraving (18 x 21 cm), newspaper cutting 1st Jan 1866 pasted in re: kidnapping by brigands (14 x 18 cm); 'Pnyx,' pencil drawing by Gell (13 x 18 cm); 'Athens,' watercolour by Gell (22 x 34 cm); news cutting on excavations at Athens.