By Meg Hixon
Title: Ernest and Frederick Augustus letters, 1821-1842
ID: 01/02/02/POST-1650 MS 0035
Creator: Croker, John Wilson (1780-1857)
Extent: 26.0 Items
Arrangement: The letters are bound into a single volume. Each group of letters is arranged chronologically, with undated items placed at the end. The letters of Ernest Augustus precede those of Frederick Augustus.
Languages: English [eng]
This collection consists of nineteen letters that Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover, wrote to John Wilson Croker between March 12, 1812, and March 28, 1842, as well as seven letters that Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany, wrote to primarily unidentified recipients between December 16, 1822, and July 17, 1825 (including 2 undated items).
In his first four letters to Croker (dated 1812-1813), Ernest Augustus primarily mentioned military and personal matters, such as a soldier who deserted from the King's Hussars. His fifteen remaining letters (dated 1823-1842) are generally lengthier and concern political issues in Great Britain, Germany, and other Western European countries. Augustus frequently discussed British politicians, even after his move to Hanover, and complained of his treatment in British newspapers. He also commented on German politics, increasing radicalism throughout Western Europe, tensions between Great Britain and France, the reign of Louis Philippe, and the Corn Laws.
Prince Frederick Augustus wrote six brief notes to unidentified correspondents (dated 1822-1825, with two undated items) and one to Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville (June 20, 1823). His letter to Viscount Melville, which concerns a proposed military promotion, includes an unsigned response. The remaining correspondence is largely personal, with one brief reference to the death of George Russell.
Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions:
This collection is the physical property of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, may reside with the materials' creator(s) or their heirs.
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library welcomes requests for reproductions made from works in our collections, though restrictions may apply to certain materials. Please contact the library with any questions.
Related Materials: Post-1650 MS 0034 also consists of letters to John Wilson Croker.
Finding Aid Revision History: Revised by Meg Hixon, October 2016