Letters of Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce (1838-1916) 5th Baron Thurlow

• Reference:GB 237 Coll-855
• Dates of Creation:1858-1906
• Name of Creator:
  Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce, Thomas John
• Language of Material:English.
• Physical Description:
  3 letters. Access to records in a fragile condition may be restricted.

• Scope and Content

  The collection is composed of: letter accepting invitation; letter from Thurlow at Chesham Place, London SW, to G. J. Brackenridge, recommending Captain Caroick as 'a thorough gentleman and very agreeable companion also highly intelligent and active in mind and body', the letter appears to have become exhibit 'F' in a case (Duke v. West) before the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, 1873; and, letter from Egerton Crescent, London SW, to Taynmouth Shore, in which Thurlow supposes that 'the investment is all right as Coutts has probably selected it'

• Administrative / Biographical History

  Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce was born on 5 December 1838. He entered the Diplomatic Service in 1858 and served at the British Embassies in Stockholm and Paris. He participated in the Earl of Elgin's mission to China, 1860-1861, and was present at the capture of the Taku Forts and of Peking (Beijing). He was Private Secretary to the Viceroy of India (the Earl of Elgin), 1862-1863, then 3rd Secretary in Vienna, 1864, before becoming Private Secretary to the Minister in Washington, 1865-1866. He was then 2nd Secretary at The Hague. He succeeded to the Barony of Thurlow in 1874. Thurlow had married Lady Elma Bruce, daughter of the 8th Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce, 5th Baron Thurlow, died in 1916.

• Access Information

  Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

• Acquisition Information

  Among miscellaneous letters, purchased from E. Hall, February 1976, Accession no. E76.8.

• Note

  The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who 1916-1928. 3rd edition. London: Adam and Charles Black, 1962.

  Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

• Other Finding Aids

  Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

• Accruals

  Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

• Related Material

  The UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: official correspondence and papers as private Secretary to Lord Elgin, Viceroy of India, 1862-1863, British Library, Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections, Ref. MSS Eur F 83 NRA 6185 Bruce

• Personal Names

  Bruce Thomas John Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming- 1838-1916 5th Baron Thurlow Diplomat