Earls of Minto, 1835 - 1965
Scope and Contents
Journals, correspondence, and other ephemera belonging to the Elliot family of Minto, Roxburghshire, Scotland from the 1830s through the 1960s, including the 2nd-5th Earls of Minto. The materials provide insight into the family’s daily life, as well as their war experiences, issues in Parliament, and connections to British Imperial rule in India and Canada. The bulk of the collection consists of 40+ diaries written by Mary Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, the 2nd Countess of Minto (1786-1853) and several dozen pieces of correspondence to and from the 4th Earl of Minto, Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1845-1914). Also included are documents written to and from the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Earls and other assorted family members as well as news clippings and publications related to the family’s activities in Scotland and abroad. A curatorial file compiled by Scheetz is also included.
The National Archives, Kew, hold a significant collection of correspondence and other materials related to the Elliot family and the Earls of Minto.
Dates
- 1835 - 1965
Conditions Governing Access
Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Biographical / Historical
The Elliot family was a prominent Scottish family in the 18th and 19th centuries, with some significant influence in politics and foreign affairs. The family was founded by Sir Gilbert Elliot, the 1st Baronet of Minto (c. 1650-1718), who acquired Minto, Roxburghshire, in 1703. His great-grandson, Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1751-1814) was created the first Earl of Minto in 1813, a title that still exists today. The 4th Earl, also Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1845-1914), and whose correspondence is most prominent in this collection, was Governor General of Canada from 1898-1904 and Viceroy of India from 1905-1910.
Extent
From the Collection: 30 Cubic Feet (68 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: Latin
From the Collection: French
From the Collection: Italian
From the Collection: Welsh
From the Collection: Danish
From the Collection: Swedish
From the Collection: Spanish
From the Collection: German
From the Collection: Norwegian
From the Collection: Persian
From the Collection: Japanese
From the Collection: Russian
From the Collection: Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
Creator
- From the Collection: Scheetz, Nicholas B., 1952-2016 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu