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.
Handwritten notes on Greek grammar in envelope addressed to George Finlay (16 sides quarto).
Letter from George Finlay on advantages of Salonica as a rail terminus for British communications with India [to 'Your Excellency', unnamed and undated] (16 sides foolscap).
Worn foolscap green paper folder 'Modern Scraps' containing odd comments and impressions of George Finlay, e.g. of Rome from Piazza di Spagna or on the merits of Greece and Rome.
'Personal notes and general reflections'. An account of a visit in 1845 to Cairo and Mehemet Ali and to Upper Egypt.
About 15 copies of single sheet (unpaginated) of proof 'Explanation of the frontispiece' [gold coin of Justinian I] (printed).
17 foolscap sheets, paginated, pp. 1-16. Presented by W. Miller in 1927.
Handwritten copy of correspondence in Liverpool Mail 21 July 1849, vol. 20, no. 1319, 'My Jotting Book. Sketches from Greece' by Tabakraucher [George Finlay].
[This covers a journey from Smyrna to Greece, the condition of Athens, criticism of Elgin's 'robbery' and of the Bavarians.]
Brown mottle, dark-brown calf spine, 'Journal' pasted on spine, hand-written, usually one side only, pp. 1-188, bound.
Journal, 27 May 1850-29 June 1868. Portrait of George Finlay inside the front flyleaf. Contents listed by George Finlay on pp. 1-2 as follows:
Memoranda during a tour to Thessalonika, Constantinople, Brusa, Nicrea, Nicomedia, Sinope, Trebizond and Samsoun (Amisos) in 1850
Itinerary of a visit to England to see the Great exposition by way of Germany and return to Athens by Italy 1851
Visit to Rhodes, Kos, Samos and Chios in the spring of 1853
Correspondence concerning the loss of my passport [with F. Ivich, Director of Austrian Lloyds, Piraes, 23 June and 6 July 1853; Director of Trieste police, 6 July 1853; Editor of The Times, 7 July 1853]
Visit to England in 1854
Visit to Andros in 1858
Excursion to Stelidha, Amaliapolis, Volo, Skiathos and Skopelos in 1858
Visit to Vichy June 17 1859
Tour in Switzerland August
Summer at Cephisia 1860, at Lamira in Andros 1861
Observations on civil war in N. America
Notes concerning disturbances at Athens which commenced 30 June 1863
Red mottle notebook, handwritten, paginated, pp. 1-47+ 1-3. 17 June 1859 left Athens for Marseilles.
Account of expenditure at Vichy 25 June-4 August, thence to Switzerland until 23 September 1859. Then return to Athens via Lyons and Marseilles arriving 6 October 1859.
1860 Expenses of residence at Kephissia 9 March 1860-3 November 1860.
Bound quires, handwritten, pp. 1-99 [+4 sides giving Preface and Contents]. Also loose note marking the FIN/GF/A/16 lost and then found.
'Extracts Letters and Documents relative to the Writings of George Finlay.' Listed by George Finlay as follows :
Extracts and Letters relative to George Finlay's life and writings
Hastings' Journal, meeting Finlay at Athens Decr 1823
Hastings to Finlay April 1828
Gordon to Hastings-Finlay's opinion
'The Times' reported death of Finlay 1828
James MacGregor to his mother [sending condolences on George Finlay's supposed death]
Lord Cochrane to Finlay congratulating him on being alive Octr 1828
Mr Contostavlos to Finlay on his pamphlet 'Essai sur les principes de banque' [1836]
Extract from the 'Journal de Smyrne'
Gordon to Finlay on his pamphlet The Hellenic Kingdom and the Greek nation 1836 [1837]
Mr. Robertson to Finlay [1837] Revd John Henry Hill to Finlay [1837]
Col Mure on Battle of Marathon 1842
Col Leake on Battle of Marathon
Mr Grote
Mr Freeman's Dedication [to George Finlay of his History of Federal Government]
Mr Clark's Dedication [to George Finlay of his Peloponnesus: Notes of Study and Travel]
Extracts from Letters from Professor Felton
24 Sepr 1854
23 Feby 1855
4 March 1855
29 Octr 1861
Mr Finlay to Professor Felton [1861]
Biographical sketch
Appendix
[These entries give the text of the Inscription or Invitation]
I. Minister of War with Silver Medal of lndependence 14 (26) Feby 1836
II. Mr. Rudhart with Gold cross of Order of Redeemer of Greece 3 (15) June 1837
III. Diploma-Member of Natural History Society 1 (13) April 1836
IV. Archaiological Institute of Rome, corresponding member 4 March 1838
V. Diploma-Member of Archaiological Society of Athens 1 Sepr 1838
VI. Diploma-Member of American Antiquarian Society 23 Octr 1838
VII. Demarch of Athens. Election as Provincial Councillor of Attica 7 Decr 1841
VIII. Diploma-Corresponding member of Hellenic Archaiological Society 6 July 1848
IX. Diploma as Honorary Member of the Royal Society of Literature 8 Octr 1849
X. Diploma as LL.D of University of Edinburgh 6 May 1854
XI. List of the writings of George Finlay
XII. Inscription for the monument of Captain Hastings at Poros
Faded black cloth, bound, handwritten, '1868 Journal and accounts' (in George Finlay's hand) pasted on spine, paginated by George Finlay pp. 1-202.
Contents listed by George Finlay thus:
Journal: visit to Switzerland 4 April to 28 October 1868
Memoranda
Extracts
Expenses of Journey Summary [of expenses]
Clothes purchases
Letters written [July, August, September 1868; copied into Letter Book]
Addresses
Green cloth, 'Journal 1869' pasted on spine, paginated in part by George Finlay pp. 1-93, handwritten, bound. Includes loose and pasted newspaper clippings.
Contents:
(1) Journey from Athens to Switzerland and back, 9 July 1869-6 October 1869 (pp. 1-48, each side paginated).
(2) Notes (pp. 49-80).
Letters written 10 July 1869-30 September 1869 (list of names with occasional note of contents).
(3) Expenses of the visit detailed with some jottings after p. 93 and not paginated (pp. 81-93 and thereafter unpaginated) .
Cream vellum, handwritten, 'ATTIC ITINERARIES' written on spine, paginated, pp. 1-64+ 1-65, bound. Notes of itineraries and time taken en route.
See also George Finlay's copy of W. Gell, The Itinerary of Greece . . ., London, 1819 (now D. 57 in BSA Main Library) with his notes passim and at end further routes, distances, and time taken.
Brown mottle board, leather spine broken, tied with string, bound, paginated pp. 1-102+3 loose photographs (Gambetta, Thiers, and group with George Finlay) ; in poor condition.
Lithographed portraits, scenes, and various miscellaneous items. Items 1-70 were drawn, collected, and (probably) described by Lieut. Krazeisen, 1st Lieut. in the King's Regiment of Bavaria.
Εἰσητήριον διὰ τὸ ἀκπροατήριον τῆς Ἐθνοσυνελεύσεως
(Athens 8 November 1843) Amélie, Reine de la Grèce
Otho King of Greece, Ὄθων Βασιλεὺς τῆς Ἑλλάδος
Theodore Colocotroni
Colocotroni
MS letter of J. Tombasi (Poros, 2 March 1828, in Greek, loose)
Giacomachi Tombasi
Thomas Gordon
Das Fort Palamydes mit einem Teil von Napoli di Romania
Nikitas
G. Conduriotis
Das Hafen Fort Bourdzi Bey Napoli di Romania
A. Mavrocordato (with signature and visiting card)
Makrijannis
Nicodemos
Aegina
Andreas Miaulis: (with loose visiting card)
Autograph of Petros Mavromichalis
G. Mavromichalis
Bailly
Beschiessung des Klosters St. Spiridione am Piraeus
MS letter of K. Kanaris to George Finlay (Athens 23 May 1861) (in Greek)
Kanaris (photograph) : note of George Finlay to Soteriades (loose)
Canaris
G. Sissini
A. Schilcher
Ein Kapitan mit seinen Pallikaren im Gefechte
Karl van Heideck
(Col.) Fabvier
MS letter of K. Tzavellas to George Finlay (11 October 1843)
Kizzo Tzavellas
Die Fregatte Hellas und das Dampschiff
Karteria
Karaskaïkis
Zaïmis
I. Milaitis
Die Acropolis van Athen
Short notes on portraits and scenes (in French and German) by Lieut. Krazeisen
Map of the surroundings of Athens (positions of Greek and Turkish forces 6 February-6 May 1827)
Miscellanea :
Small print of Lord Byron's monument in Hucknell Church near Newstead Abbey
Hastings (photograph of bust)
Clifford ( ,, ,, ,, )
Lithograph of I. Venthulos
(? Clephts) from Kossovo recognised by an Albanian Bey from Ochrida (A.J.B.W.) (in colour)
Dance (in colour)
A. Miaulis (photograph of bust)
Monasteriotes ( ,, ,, ,,)
Lord Byron
George Finlay (as a young man)
P. Mavromichalis
Street scene in Joannina (in colour)
Roza de Bozaris (demoiselle d'honneur de S.M. la Reine de Grèce)
Printed copy of Discourse, pronounced by Lieut. Col. A. H. Touret at the Funeral of C. Colocotronis (in French)
A. H. Touret (Philhellène français, Lieut. Col., with signature)
MS letter of Ephorate of Athens Archaeological Society to George Finlay (27 March 1861) thanking him for antiquities presented to the Society's museum (in Greek)
George Finlay (as a young man; with coat of arms)
Cutting from the Illustrated London News of 29 April 1854 (archaeological)
Cutting from the Illustrated London News of 10 November 1855
Cutting from the Illustrated London News of 14 February 1857
Cutting from the Illustrated London News of 14 February 1857
Cutting from the Illustrated London News of 16 February 1856
Document no. 6281 from the Military Governor of the Capital to the Nomarch of Attica and Boeotia by hand of George Finlay (Athens 7 April 1844) (loose; in Greek)
(missing)
(missing)
Water-colour of Pallikari
(In the back (loose) are 3 photographs: Group photo with George Finlay (undated), M. Thiers (1873), and Gambetta (1873))
Black folder, leather spine tied top, bottom, and side, 'George Finlay' in gilt on front cover, some loose sheets. The A-E categories below have been copied from the type-written sheets in the folder.
The records in Folder A (FIN/GF/A/21/1 - FIN/GF/A/21/7) are miscellaneous papers.
The records in Folder B (FIN/GF/A/21/8 - FIN/GF/A/21/15) are passports.
The records in Folder C (FIN/GF/A/21/16 - FIN/GF/A/21/32) are diplomas, honours conferred, etc.
The records in Folder D (FIN/GF/A/21/33 - FIN/GF/A/21/40) are miscellaneous correspondence.
The records in Folder E (FIN/GF/A/21/41) are miscellaneous photographs There is a miscellaneous newspaper clipping at the end (FIN/GF/A/21/42)
Proposed organization of the Hellenic Association 'for the promotion of Education in Greece.' (in Greek).
Proposed organisation of the Hellenic Association 'for the promotion of Education in Greece.' (in English).
Turkish document addressed to George Finlay (in Turkish).
Three copies of the Notice of George Finlay's Funeral (15 January 1875) by Nectar Finlay (in Greek).
Facsimile of document of January 1821 signed by Jeremias, Archbishop of Constantinople and Patriarch (in Greek).
Facsimile of Latin document relating to Baldwin, Count of Flanders and Hainault, with transcription.
Print from Greek Press Panagiou Taphou (1834).
England to Malta-to Mr. Finlay (George) avec son domestique from le Maire de Marez (26 June 1825).
London to Calais or Boulogne-to Captain George Finlay avec deux domestiques from the French Ambassador in London (12 October 1826).
For Smyrna-to M. Georges Finlay gentilhomme Anglais avec un domestique from Robert Gordon, British Ambassador at the Sublime Porte Ottomane (28 August 1829).
Malta to Napoli di Romania-to Mr. George Findlay (sic) aged twenty-six years a British subject from Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, Lieut. Governor of Malta (15 October 1831).
Marseilles to Naples-to Mr. George Findlay (sic) from W. H. Richardson, Vice Consul of Great Britain for the Dept. des Bouches du Rhone (19 September 1831 ) .
For Greece-to Mr. and Mrs. George Finlay etc. from Sir Edmund Lyons (11 September 1841).
Greece to London-to George Finlay Esq. from the Rt. Hon. Thomas Wyse (11 May 1851).
For travel on the Continent-to Mr. George Finlay and his three nieces from Henry John Viscount Palmerston, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in London (30 July 1851).
Lieut. John Finlay - his Burgess Ticket of Glasgow (3 July 1778).
Enrolment of George Finlay into the Civil Academy of Göttingen (4 May 1822).
Notice of award by King Otho of the Silver Cross for services in the war (24 May 1842).
Notice of award by King Otho of the Gold Cross of Knight of the Order of the Redeemer of Greece (10 June 1837).
Diploma of the Society of Natural History (in Greek) (1 April 1836).
Set of documents grouped together in Hussey catalogue and includes: Election to Corresponding Membership of the lnstituto di Correspondenza Archeologica di Roma (9 December 1839).
Enclosed-letter of the Editor of the Society (3 March 1838) and letter of the same (22 February 1840).
Diploma as member of the Archaeological Society at Athens (1 September 1838).
Diploma as member of the American Antiquarian Society (23 October 1838).
George Finlay elected as member of the Provincial Council of Attica by the Demarch of Athens (7 December 1841).
Election as Corresponding Member of the Greek Archaeological Society (6 July 1848).
Honorary Membership of the Royal Society of Literature (London). (Enclosed-letter from the Secretary of 6 July 1856.)
Diploma of recognition from the University of Athens (25 June 1856).
Diploma of Hon. Membership of St. Petersburg Imperial Academy (29 December 1856).
(Enclosed-letter from the Secretary of Hon. Membership of St. Petersburg Imperial Academy (10 January 1866) ; letter of George Finlay to the Secretary (10 February 1866).
Letter of George Finlay to the Secretary of Hon. Membership of St. Petersburg Imperial Academy (23 June 1866) reply of the Secretary (24 August 1866).)
(in envelope) Diploma to George Finlay at Athens as Ehrenmitglieder der Gesellschaft für vaterländische Alterthümer in Zürich.
Letter from the Greek Secretary of State regarding George Finlay's resignation from the Greek Army (2 June 1837).
Letter from the President of the Greek Archaeological Soc. (Mr. Nomikos) to George Finlay (15 July 1851).
Letter from the Ephor of the National Library to George Finlay (16 October 1871).
Letter from the Ephor of the National Library to George Finlay (2 October 1872).
Letter from the Prytanis of the National University to George Finlay (5 October 1872).
Letter from A. C. lonides to George Finlay (undated).
Letter from Ph. Roques to George Finlay re the award of the Croix d'Or (undated).