Collection consists of materials created and accumulated by Bertram R. Davis on the history of Bristol and the romantics. Includes correspondence between 164 correspondents, 45 manuscript groups, research notes, photographs, clippings, articles, offprints, excerpts, and other ephemera. Also included is a file of correspondence from Bertram donated by Kenneth Curry and a file of correspondence relating to portraits of Southey donated by Dr. Warren U. Ober.

Arranged in six series as follows:
1. Manuscripts Held in Trust
2. Chattertonian Manuscript;
3. Correspondence;
4. Articles, Offprints, etc.;
5. Bertram R. Davis Research Files;
6. Visual Materials.

File consists of a copy of Thomas Chatterton's "Knightes Templaries Chyrche" which he alleged to have been written by Thomas Rowley.

File consists of articles, offprints, excerpts from books and other items accumulated by Bertram R. Davis in the course of his research and study on Bristol and the romantics. Some offprints are presentation copies and feature inscriptions to Davis. A number of Davis' correspondents are represented through the articles in this series.

File consists of Chatterton's poem "Lines on Redcliffe Church." The poem is torn from a book (possibly John Britton's "An Historical and Architectural Essay Relating to Redcliffe Church, Bristol. Also, an Essay on the Life and Character of Thomas Chatterton") and mounted on a heavy stock paper.

File consists of one hundred twenty eight clippings on the life and works of Thomas Chatterton.

Series consists of research files created and accumulated by Bertram R. Davis on his various areas of interest. Includes files on Coleridge, Wordsworth, Chatterton, Southey, Lamb, and others, as well as personal research files.

File consists of a typed transcription of the Chattertonian Manuscript, possibly by George Catcott. The manuscript is comprised of works by Chatterton, a history of the Rowley affair, letters from Chatterton to Catcott, with notes by Catcott throughout. This typed copy has been bound together with an index and table of contents. In the front of the book is laid in a signature of Thomas Chatterton and its accompanying auction notice, as well as a letter regarding the authenticity of the signature. Also included is a print showing George Catcott.

File consists of one manuscript titled "Chattertonian ms." The manuscript itself is a transcribed typed copy of the original, which was compiled and written by George Catcott. Catcott was the first person to be approached by Chatterton regarding the Thomas Rowley poems. The manuscript includes passages from works by Thomas Chatterton, letters to and from Catcott and Chatterton, as well as notes by Catcott on Chatterton and the Thomas Rowley affair. Inlaid in the front of the book is a signature of Thomas Chatterton's as well as a letter addressing the authenticity of the signature. Also included is a print of George Catcott. The bookplate reads "Conrad P. Fry oneth me is me jure tenet, and this booke confesse to be quieunque me invenit."

File consists of a an excerpt from the original 1789 edition of William Barrett's "History & Antiquities of the City of Bristol." This excerpt relates to Chatterton, and includes inserted plates, some of which may be extraneous. Barrett was known to have believed Chatterton's Rowley story and to have published the information as fact, before the scandal broke.

Clipping of poem "The Lethargist and Mad (man?)" from Morning Post (?) 1799-1800? no. 9679. ("In Good King Olem's Reign, I've read"). Initialed "S.T.C." in Coleridge's autograph.

Series is comprised of a collection of manuscripts held in trust, given to the archive by Doris Davis, widow of Bertram R. Davis. The items include letters, poetry, an indenture and other miscellaneous notes by romantic poets and their relatives including Robert Southey, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Autograph sentence on the back of a frank of John Rickman, Clerk of the House of Commons. "If anything can be more detestable...it is the manner in which there have been attempts to gloss over actions which public opinion..." The small paper fragment has been set into a larger sheet of paper showing an explanation of the item.

Autograph sheets containing quotations, lists of words, references, etc. 18 small leaves.

File consists of one illustrated short-story titled "Mary, the Maid of the Inn; An Affecting Narrative: Detailing, her Unfortunate and Ill-Requited Attachment; Her Singular Courage, and the Miraculous Manner in Which She Becomes an Instrument in the Discovery of a Murder, and Brining One of the Perpetrators to Condign Punishment. Describing, Also, the Wandering of the Unfortunate Mary, who Becomes a Wretched Maniac. From the Celebrated Poem, by Robert Southey, Which is Also Added Hereto." The book formerly belonged to Doris Davis.

Autograph sentence beginning "indeed the adventurers arrived in fortunate time..."

Autograph booklet of quotations from various authors (9 x 10 cm). About twenty leaves originally; a few have been removed in part or completely.

Autograph notes published in Southey's Common-Place book, Second Series. Ed. John Wood Warter, London, Longmans, 1849. (Titles and a few footnotes supplied in pencil by Warter). Notes are listed below and keyed to the pages in which they appear in the Common-Place book. The first number is the page; the second gives the note's place on the page; a partial note at the top of a page is counted as no. 1.

• 403-2,5
• 404-2,3,4
• 405-2,3
• 406-2,3,4,5
• 407-2
• 516-6
• 517-1,2,3
• 518-2
• 519-1,2
• 521-4
• 635-3,4,5,6,7,8
• 636-5,6
• 637-4,5,6,7
• 638-2,3,4,5,6
• 639-2,5,6
• 640-2,3,4,8
• 641-3,4,6
• 642-2,4,5
• 643-1,3
• 644-2,5,6,7
• 645-1,2,4
• 646-2,3,4,5,6,7
• 647-1,7,8
• 648-2,6
• 650-4
• 651-2,3,5,6
• 652-3,6,
• 653-2,4,5,6,
• 654-2,3,5
• 655-3,4,6,7
• 656-2,6,7
• 657-2,5,6
• 658-1,2,3,5
• 659-2
• 660-2
• 661-3,4,5
• 662-4
• 663-4,6
• 664-2,3,5
• 665-3
• 666-2,5,9
• 667-2,3,4,5,7
• 668-1,2,3 and "the Old Tradesman's oath at Lucca"

Untitled note in Coleridge's hand. Original envelope states "Autograph of Coleridge with Southey's attestation." (Nothing in Southey's hand) 2 pages on one sheet. "Now placed in vol. II of S.T. Coleridges Poet & Dramatic Works - page 86. Side by side with the poem it gives in ms. E. Dowden July 30, 1883." Dowden was a distinguished early scholar in the Romantic movement.

Autograph letter to William Perry. "Mr. Davis's friends hope he will stand" "Can you think of any votes that we might ask for?"

Autograph letter. Sept. 3, 1819. Long letter to an unknown correspondent concerning the arrival of a book and other matters. Note at top in different hand "To be kept - part addressed to AG."

Autograph list of names and London addresses.

Autograph prescription for treating "erisypelas measles and scarlet fever".

Autograph sheets containing original memoranda, verse compositions (unpublished?), ideas for composition, and notes. 12 slips of paper.

Autograph glossary of dialect terms (Scottish?; Lake District?) one sheet (2 pages) in an unknown hand.

Autograph list of Southey's contributions to the Quarterly Review. 100-plus items, 2 sheets.

Autograph pages from one of Southey's notebooks. Includes lists of Mexican, Greek, Oriental, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish names for possible use in his poetry. Includes ideas for subjects for poems. One or two of the names may have a genuine connection with the poetry of Coleridge. One leaf in Spanish, headed "Papel publico em Madrid..." Nine leaves. Also included is the original auction advertisement for the group.

Clipping of poem "Inscription for a Seat by a Road Side, Half Way up a Steep Hill, Facing the South" Morning Post (?) no. 10, 021 (Oct. 21, 1800?) ("thou, who in youthful vigour rich, and light") initialed W.W. in Wordsworth's autograph. Possibly actually T.S. Coleridge's poem.

File consists of copies of five items of correspondence from William Wordsworth to others, including Miss Taylor, John Taylor, Thomas Hervey and Robert Southey. Letters have ms. notations by Davis.

Clipping of poem "The Kiss and the Blush" from Morning Post (?) May 12, 1803. ("My gentle, Grace, I did but seek"). Initialed "S.T.C." in Coleridge's autograph.

Autograph passage dated April 2, 1805. Written in the form of a note in a common-place book, but it reads as if it is a letter from a gentleman to a lady.

File consists of copies of Robert Southey's letters, as well as one from Caroline Southey, Davis' notes on the letters, a list of letters published, a list of omissions from published letters, and a list of ms. letters of Robert Southey and Hannah More at Bristol Public Libraries.

Autograph letter to Thomas Southey (Robert's brother and an officer in the Royal Navy.) March 14-15, 1809. Discusses progress on poem "Curse of Kehama." Reports that the Quarterly Review has been published, mentions his and Walter Scott's contributions, editorial deletions, his payment. Discusses development in the war, "Thalaba" has been finished. His Brazil reviewed by Sharon Turner, to be reviewed by Bedford and, possibly, S.T. Coleridge.
Published in Kenneth Curry's New Letters v.1 p. 502.

Autograph letter, 1811 (?) to the Rev. Mr. Haiveis. Enclosed letter from Mr. Hornes suggest taking no notice "till we see the result from Lambeth."

Autograph letter to the Rev. Dr. Bell. April 23, 1816. Acknowledges receipt of weather-glass, damaged in shipment. Hartley Coleridge has fellowship at Oriel. Has had visitor: a professor of chemistry from Columbia College, New York.

Continuation of file 233a.

File consists of a ts. transcription of Robert Southey's diary from his trip through mainland Europe, including France, Italy and Switzerland. Ts. has ms. corrections and additions. Continued in 233b.

Autograph letter to Robert Southey. January 13, 1823. Her client, Alfred Pettitt, an invalid music teacher, wishes to publish a collection of hymns. Mrs. Opie hopes that Southey and Wordsworth will be willing to supply compositions for his collection.

Autograph letter to Charles Danvers. May 24, 1824. "Will leave tomorrow (Tuesday) at four p.m. and hopes to arrive at Danvers's door (in Bristol?) before three o'clock Wednesday."

Autograph letter. May 13, 1826. Mentions that a set of books directed by Southey in care of the recipient of the letter should have arrived.

Autograph letter addressed to Treuttel and Wurtz (probably Treutel and Wurtz, publishers). August 11, 1827. Acknowledges receipt of Bank of England post-bill for £100.

File consists of copies of Joseph Cottle's letters, along with notes on the letters and an introduction to them.

Autograph letter to Caroline Bowles (who became Mrs. Robert Southey). March 1, 1828. Says he would be glad to send her his "plain statements, of all the circumstances of the case of the poor woman whom I was able to deliver from her horrible doom." Deals with other matters also.

Autograph letter to Rev. Dr. Bell. February 27, 1828. Urges recipient not to worry about the matter that has been bothering him for so long. Now that he has established the discovery for his own, he should let the matter rest. Suggests meeting him in Cheltenham. Refers to Southey's daughter and son.

"Document, signed, appointing his brother, Henry Herbert Southey, his lawful attorney, to receive any sum of money due to him as Poet Laureate." Also includes original auction advertisement for the item.

Autograph letter to Caroline Bowles. May 16, [1829?]. Forwards letter addressed to her but delivered to him by mistake. Compliments her as creative artist of letters. Refers warmly to Southey. Long, detailed letter.

Autograph letter (to Edward Quillinan who became William Wordsworth's son-in-law). November 14, 1829. Apologizes for not saying farewell at Rydal Mount. Was under the impression he was remaining until the next evening. Provides annotation for "Your very pleasing poem upon the resurrection of Barber's tree."

Autograph letter to "My dear H.T." June 4, 1829. Encloses a ballad for Allan C (unningham).

Autograph sheet (2 pages). Outlines, memoranda, and lists of letters relating to Southey's work on Cowper.

Autograph letter to Caroline Bowles. July 13, 1831. Informal, friendly letter discussing their name, speaking of his unfurnished house, their going with Mrs. Bowles to some destination.

Autograph letter to Caroline Bowles. June 30, 1831. Long letter beginning with reference to a book he has completed, one that should reach her soon. He speaks of their common friend Southey and his activities in literature and in the press.

Autograph letter to Caroline Bowles. June 1, 1832. Apparently encloses poetry (ms.? or book?) Mentions someone to whom he alludes in the preface. Comments on "disgusting and stupid bards of the pantry and wash-house." Unpublished?

Autograph letter to Caroline Bowles. June 5, 1832. Refers to the crisis facing the nation. Begs her to assure her friend of Bowles's esteem and respect. Bowles hopes that nothing he's said will offend her friend.

Autograph letter to the Rev. John Horseman. December 21, 1835. "Renewing the acquaintance of his correspondent and giving him an account of himself and his family, referring to the tragic state (insanity) of his wife" (Southey at his best as a letter-writer).
Published in Kenneth Curry's New Letters, v. 2 p. 433.

Autograph transcription "copied from Cowper's sleeping room June 1833, Weston." Edith Mary Warter was Robert Southey's daughter.

Autograph letter to Dr. Henry Herbert Southey. December 21, 1833. Southey's son-in-law has been given the living of "Patching cum Terring" in Sussex.

Autograph letter. March 22, 1836. Hopes that the recipient obtains "the object of your petition." No Englishman had before him completed the expedition from Peru over the Andes and down the greatest river in South America. All merchants who trade with that part of the world have gained valuable information from his journal of the expedition.

Autograph letter. October 22, 1836. Apologetically offers help to poor scholar who has applied to him for assistance. In doing his edition of Cowper he will need someone to indicate the lines of the original Homer included in each page of Cowper's translation. He will recommend that that publisher hire him.

Autograph letter to "my dear H.T." February 23, 1837. Reports that the weather at Keswick "is as bad here as it was in London, but not so ugly, tho as ugly as it can be in such a country."

Autograph note to "Mr. Ullock." June 24, 1842. Asking for details concerning a wheel chair for sale. She needs the chair for Mr. Southey. (Southey died in 1843).

File consists of Mrs. C.S. (Anna Maria) Hall's article "Pilgrimages to English Shrines: The Birthplace of Thomas Chatterton" from The Art-Journal. The pages of this article have been torn from the journal. The article was also reproduced in a book of collected Pilgrimages to English Shrines in 1850.

Corrected proofs for article "To the Rev. C. Cuthbert Southey" (Robert Southey's son) for Fraser's Magazine, Dec. 1, 1850. Says of Southey "never in the course of my existence have I known a man so excellent on so many points." Two full sentences inserted in proof, in Landor's handwriting.

File consists of forty clippings on the life and works of Thomas Chatterton, including a nine-teen part serial from the Western Daily Press Saturday Supplement.

File consists of thirty clipping on the life and works of William Wordsworth.

File consists of miscellaneous personal research material created or accumulated by Bertram R. Davis. Includes correspondence from Rev. R.F. Cartwright and Margaret Hine, copies, articles, forty one clippings, one unidentified photograph, and other ephemera.

File consists of one item of correspondence from William Batheitwell.

File consists of a bibliography of works about Southey by an unknown author.

File consists of Geoffrey Carnall's article "Southey and Wordsworth's 'The Idiot Boy'."

File consists of Kenneth Curry's essay "Portugal", detailing a trip he took to the country.

File consists of Kenneth Curry's article "T.S. Coleridge."

File consists of an article by Kenneth Curry titled "The Contributors to the Annual Anthology", along with a listing of contributors.

File consists of Donald S. Taylor's essay "The Authenticity of Chatterton's Miscellanies in Prose and Verse."

File consists of an article by an unknown author titled "Two Notes on Coleridge."

File consists of one print of a pastel drawing of Robert Southey, by Edward Everard. The original pastel was done by James Sharples. The print was framed and the mat reads "Robert Southey by Edward Everard after pastel by James Sharples Bristol Art Union Extra Prize, 1907." Also includes the original frame and portion of a clipping that was found with it.

Series is comprised of visual materials accumulated by Bertram Davis. Includes a print of James Sharple's pastel portrait of Robert Southey.

File consists of research information and ephemera created or accumulated by Bertram R. Davis on William Wordsworth. Includes a brochure advertising Alfoxton Park as a rental home, a holiday homes guide that features Alfoxton Park, a programme for the 1971 Rydal Mount Summer School, a diary of events for the 1950 Wordsworth Centenary Celebration, a brochure on the Dove Cottage Trust centenary celebration, lists of centenary lectures, a portrait of Wordsworth scholar William Knight, pages taken from Notes and Queries that discuss Wordsworth, an auction notice for works of Wordsworth, and an article titled "Men and Women of Today" by John Galsworthy which mentions Dove Cottage.

File consists of one item of correspondence from Henry de Grey Warter.

Series consists of approximately 5,900 items of correspondence between 165 correspondents. Includes correspondence to and from Bertram R. Davis, correspondence to and from unknown correspondents, and correspondence between others. Also includes two files of correspondence on a specific topic. One file is on portraits of Southey and the other is on the Portugues author Jose Maria de Eca de Queiroz.
Correspondents include:

• All American Cables
• Baldwyn, L.
• Bathietwell, William
• Beddoe, Dorothy
• Bell, Whitefield Jr.
• Bennett, Rhoda
• Bentley, G.E. Jr.
• Bernard Quariten Ltd.
• Blunden, Edmund
• Boots Cash Chemists
• Boult, Nellie A.
• Boyce, R.R.
• Brace, Keith
• Bremer, Heather
• Bremner, Robert
• British Council, The
• British Museum, The
• Bronson, Bertrand
• Browning, Daphne DuMaurier
• Buchan, Alexander M.
• Cabral, Adolfo De Oliveira
• Cabral, Maria de Gloria Ramos de Oliveira
• Calme, John
• Carnall, Geoffrey
• Cartwright, Revd. Canon R.F.
• Cascas, Artur Simoes
• Charles Lamb Society Bulletin
• Cheyne, A.D. Gordon
• Christ’s Hosptial
• Coburn, Kathleen
• Collis, Ivan
• Crook, Arthur
• Crowsley, Ernest G.
• Curry, Kenneth
• Darbshire, Helen
• Davis, Annabel
• Davis, Doris
• Davis, Watson
• de Eca de Queiroz, Antonio
• de Eca de Quieroz de Castro, Maria
• De Sousa-Lead, J.
• do Ceu Costa, Maria
• Early, Benjamin W.
• Early, Margaret Sue
• Edward, P. Welson
• Espstein, Jason
• Faliscue-Brickdale, Matthew
• Filler, Louis
• Fisher, Dorothy
• Fitzgerald, Maurice
• Flack, Ellis
• Flack, G. Ellis
• Fox, Levi
• Gandy, Norman
• Gardner, WH.
• Garlick, Kenneth
• Gayford, J.C.
• Gibbs, Donald T.
• Goodland, Alice
• Green-Armytage, R.N.
• Griggs, Earl Leslie
• Haller, William
• Harris, Roy
• Haugh, W.S.
• Havens, Raymond D.
• Heaton, P.
• Highman, Norman
• His Excellency the Portuguese Ambassador
• Hoover, Ben
• Hope, Warren T.
• Hough, Henry B.
• Howe, H.W.
• Hynes, Mary
• Kaderley, Nat Lewis
• Kaderly, Nat Lewis
• Kaufman, Paul
• Keens, R. Lyall
• Kew, S.F.
• Kopaitic, Boris (Commander)
• Kuhn, A.J.
• Kurahashi, J.
• Lamoine, Georges
• Laverick, D.M.
• Lee, Chi-Pui
• Lindsay, Philip C.
• Looker, Samuel J.
• Lowes, John Livingston
• Mabbott, Thomas Ollive
• Manogue, Ralph Anthony
• Mansfield, John
• Mason, A.S.
• Massey-Stewart, John
• McElderry, Bruce Robert
• Merritt, Theodore E.
• Metford, J.C.J.
• Meyerstein, E.H.W.
• Middendorf, John H.
• Middleton, Arthur Pierce
• Miller, C.A.
• Mooman, Mary
• Moore, R.W.
• Morgan, P.F.
• Morley, E.J.
• Morris, Christopher
• Munday, Katherine
• Mure, G.R.G.
• New House Museum
• Nowell, Charles
• Nunes de Silva, Henrique
• Ober, Warrun U.
• Ormond, R.L.
• Osborne, Edgar
• Peck, Walter Edwin
• Penney, Clara L.
• Pinney, Hester
• Pinto, Abranches
• Pleasance, Antony C.
• Polhemus, George W.
• Prabhakar, T.
• Pugsley, N.S.E.
• Purchase, J.L.
• Raepe, Elizabeth
• Ramos, Charles
• Rawnsley, E.F.
• Rawnsley, H.D.
• Reeves, Florence S.
• Rich, Norman
• Rodgers, Betsy
• Ross, Archibald
• Ross, James
• Russell, P.E.
• Shaffer, Elinor
• Shaver, Chester L.
• Simmons, Jack
• Smith, Elsie
• Smith, H.G.
• Sproule, Hugh
• Sypher, Gale
• Sypher, Lucy
• Sypher, Wylie
• Taylor, Donald
• Taylor, L. Acland
• Taylor, Rachel
• Thompson, J.E.
• Thone, Frank
• Times Literary Supplement, The
• Times, The
• Times, The
• Turnbull, J.M.
• University of Toronto Quarterly
• Usher, H.W.F.
• Wakefield, [?]
• Waller, Robert
• Wallis, F.S.
• Wasserman, Earl R.
• Watson, Rowland
• Wells, Charles
• West, S. George
• Whalley, George
• Whiting, F.
• Wilkinson, Norman B.
• Williams, M.G.
• Williams, Rev. H. Fulford
• Wilson, R.A.
• Woof, Robert

File consists of twenty one clippings on the life and works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

File consists of research materials created and accumulated by Bertram R. Davis on Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Includes copies of letters from Coleridge and his daughter Sara, notes by Davis, copies of Coleridge poems, and a letter from Davis to an unknown correspondent on Coleridge.

File consists of a an excerpt from "The Life of Robert Owen", by Robert Owen.

File consists of one item of correspondence from Boots Cash Chemists.

File consists of forty three items of correspondence from Maurice H. Fitzgerald.

File consists of one item of correspondence from Thomas Ollive Mabbott.

File consists of ten items of correspondence from William Haller.

File consists of fifteen items of correspondence from John Livingston Lowes including one item from his wife Mary Lowes.

File consists of sixteen items of correspondence from others to others. Includes letters to Bertram's wife Doris and daughter Annabel as well as letters to and from colleagues, researchers and friends.
Correspondents include:

• Bernard Quariten Ltd.
• British Museum
• Carnall, Geoffrey
• Davis, Annabel
• Davis, Doris
• Faliscue-Brickdale, Matthew
• Fisher, Dorothy
• Gibbs, Donald T.
• Griggs, Earl Leslie
• Haugh, W.S.
• Havens, Raymond D.
• Heaton, P.
• Hough, Henry B.
• Kaderly, Nat Lewis
• Kaufman, Paul
• Kopaitic, Boris
• Lamoine, Georges
• Laverick, D.M.
• Penney, Clara L.
• Purchase, J.L.
• Rawnsley, H.D.
• Sypher, Gale
• Sypher, Lucy
• Wakefield, [?]

File consists of one item of correspondence from L. Acland Taylor of City & Council of Bristol Municipal Public Libraries.

File consists of twenty eight items of correspondence between Bertram R. Davis and E.H.W. Meyerstein.

File consists of one offprint of Raymond D. Havens' article "Changing Tastes in the Eighteenth Century." A presentation copy, the recto is inscribed "Cordially yours, Raymond D. Havens."

File consists of one item of correspondence from Philip C. Lindsay.

File consists of one item of correspondence from Edward P. Weslon.

File consists of one item of correspondence from Charles Wells.

File consists of one offprint of Raymond D. Havens' article "A Project of Wordsworth's."

File consists of one offprint of Raymond D. Havens' article "Julian and Maddalo." A presentation copy, the recto is inscribed "Bertram Davis from R.D.H."

File consists of one item of correspondence from Walter Edwin Peck.

File consists of one offprint of Raymond D. Havens' article "Rosalind and Helen."

File consists of forty items of correspondence from Maurice H. Fitzgerald.

File consists of one item of correspondence from E.J. Morley.

File consists of six items of correspondence from S. George West.

File consists of sixty items of correspondence between Bertram R. Davis and Raymond D. Havens.