Catalogue of books in John Christian's library, August 1780; with John Christian's account, 6 February-27 July 1772

MLMSS 10154

fonds

6 February-27 July 1772, August 1780

9612051

0.44 metres of textual material (1 box) - manuscript - 40.5 x 16 cm

John Christian (1756-1828) was an English Member of Parliament and High Sheriff of Cumberland. He later changed his surname to John Christian Curwen after marrying his cousin Isabella Curwen. The Christian family had held positions of power and influence on the Isle of Man before moving to Cumberland in the 1680s. John’s first cousin, Fletcher Christian, the Bounty mutineer, was a member of another branch of the family also living in Cumberland. The Fletcher family were well-read and educated, Fletcher's uncle, Ewan, was a barrister and his elder brother, Edward, was Downing Professor of Law at Cambridge, while John Christian himself was a student at Cambridge before going on the Grand Tour in 1779.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

Acquired from a private UK collector prior to 1990

A 20 page catalogue listing the books in the library of John Christian. It lists more than 550 volumes under the following headings: Poetry (39 titles); History Lives Novels etc (142 titles); Divinity (31 titles); Agriculture (4 titles); French Books (19 titles); School Books etc (no titles listed); and the last page lists 27 various titles.

The catalogue is accompanied by a single page of accounts relating to John Christian's education and living expenses when he was 16. Entries include pocket money, shoe mending, bridle & new reins, half year's education and board, amongst other expenses. Four books are included, only one of which, Smart's 'Horace', appears in the 1780 catalogue.

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Creator has been deceased for more than 50 years
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Inscribed on front cover of catalogue in ink: Catalogue Books / Aug' 1780 / Many added since
Inscribed on front of single page in ink: 1771 / Mr John Christian's Acc. from February to August 1772 / the Rev. Mr Christian's receipt in full