Contents and Arrangement Expanded View

Collection Overview

Creator:
Gyll, Gordon Willoughby
Title:
Gordon Willoughby Gyll Travel Journals
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/8049g5132
Dates:
1826-1875
Size:
1 box and 0.4 linear feet
Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss): Box 1
Language:
English

Abstract

Consists primarily of ten manuscript travel journals (1826-1840) of English worldwide traveler Gordon Willougnby Gyll.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Description:

The collection consists primarily of Gyll's manuscript travel journals, ten in number, bound into two quarto volumes. The first volume contains his observations on his travels in Spain, ca. 1826/7 (on 84-sides), returning via Germany. This is followed by his journal, 1827/8, of his travels, in the company of his friend, John Davidson, to Italy, Poland, Russia, Germany, Sweden and Denmark (on 181-sides). Other journals comprise a journey to Portugal, August - September 1834 (32-sides); to Paris and environs, November 1834 - January 1935 (22-sides); a tour in England and Wales, July - August 1835 (17-sides); to Malta, Egypt, and the Greek Islands, August 1836 - January 1837 (95-sides); and a tour of Europe, August 1839 - April 1840 (140-sides). Also included (bound in) is Gyll's diary of his readings, 1829-1831.

A third volume contains copies of Gyll's speeches, 1827-1875.

Additionally, loose, are two letters by the English adventurer John Davidson (1797-1836) to Gyll: one, dated 29 August [1835], when he is leaving England bound for Morocco; the other, dated 8 February 1836 from Morocco, while planning his trip to Timbuktu. He headed out in November, and just six weeks into the desert journey his party was ambushed and Davidson was murdered. There is also a permit for Gyll to leave Mexico, signed by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (1794-1876), president of Mexico.

Collection Creator Biography:

Gyll, Gordon Willoughby

Gordon Willoughby Gyll (b.1802) was the son of William Gyll (1774-1807; equerry to H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex) and Harriet Jane Gyll (1776-1813; the daughter of Hamilton Flemyng, 9th and last Earl of Wigtoun). Gyll was a worldwide traveler and friend of the African adventurer John Davidson (1797-1836).

Collection History

Acquisition:

Purchased from David Bristow Autographs in 2009 (AM2010-60).

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by John Delaney on December 3, 2009.. Finding aid written by John Delaney on December 4, 2010, using dealer's extensive journal descriptions.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Credit this material:

Gordon Willoughby Gyll Travel Journals; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/8049g5132
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss): Box 1