Cavendish, William, 1808-1891 (7th Duke of Devonshire and University Chancellor)
Dates
- Existence: 1808 - 1891
Biography
William Cavendish (1808-91), 7th Duke of Devonshire, landowner and industrialist, was born on 27 April 1808, in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London. He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, and took his BA and MA in 1829, and in June 1829 he was returned as MP for Cambridge University. He was the first chancellor of the University of London, from 1836 to 1856, and an important influence on its early development. He was chancellor of Cambridge University from 1862 until his death; he was chairman of the royal commission on scientific instruction and the advancement of science, which sat from 1871 to 1874; and as an earnest of his commitment to the cause, he provided for the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge in 1874. He was a considerable benefactor of Owens College, Manchester, and of the Yorkshire College of Science, Leeds; when these colleges became part of the new federal Victoria University in 1880 he was its first chancellor. He died at Holker Hall on 21 December 1891 and was buried at Edensor, close to Chatsworth, on 26 December.
Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:
Cavendish Building, Cambridge
Please see individual descriptions for further details or contact the College archivist at archives@homerton.cam.ac.uk.
Correspondence from 7th Duke of Devonshire to John Willis Clark, 15 Dec. 1884-19 Dec. 1884
Letters mostly to Clark, with some to his wife Frances Clark (d.1908), Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873) and others, mainly routine in nature, and collected for their autograph value. Another volume, containing letters of scientists, was not acquired. The original numbering in each volume has been retained; in this catalogue the letters are grouped by subject.
Letter from 7th Duke of Devonshire to John Willis Clark, 8 Jan. 1883
Sends cheque for Balfour Memorial Fund
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire (draft), 1874 (Circa, SLP 435)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from Joseph Romilly to William Hodge Mill, 3 June 1829
Comprises single items or small collections, chiefly correspondence, donated to or purchased by Cambridge University Library. Together with a number of items and fragments found in Cambridge University Library books and bindings.
Letter from Marquess of Hartington [7th Duke of Devonshire] to Adam Sedgwick, 20 July 1863
Glad to act on Sedgwick's recommendation for the son of a North Lancashire friend; he must consider proper conduct of Post Office business, and residents' convenience
Letter from William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire, to Sir Robert Collier, 24 Dec. 1882
Seeks advice about a question which came before him as Chancellor of Cambridge University, on interpretation of Statute B, not purely a legal case, so counsel's opinion probably not needed
Letter to Porter from 7th Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth, 15 May 1882
Most of the letters are replies to appeals by Porter for contributions to a memorial to Henry Fawcett and the cost of portraits of the seventh Duke of Devonshire, J.B. Lightfoot and B.F. Westcott; or replies to his invitations to a dinner in honour of recipients of honorary degrees (1883), and the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the foundation of Peterhouse (1884); or concern an address of support from members of Senate to the Liberal Unionist leadership (1887).
Letter to Porter from 7th Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth, 7 Dec. 1886
Most of the letters are replies to appeals by Porter for contributions to a memorial to Henry Fawcett and the cost of portraits of the seventh Duke of Devonshire, J.B. Lightfoot and B.F. Westcott; or replies to his invitations to a dinner in honour of recipients of honorary degrees (1883), and the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the foundation of Peterhouse (1884); or concern an address of support from members of Senate to the Liberal Unionist leadership (1887).
Letter to Porter from 7th Duke of Devonshire, Holker Hall, 14 Feb. 1890
Most of the letters are replies to appeals by Porter for contributions to a memorial to Henry Fawcett and the cost of portraits of the seventh Duke of Devonshire, J.B. Lightfoot and B.F. Westcott; or replies to his invitations to a dinner in honour of recipients of honorary degrees (1883), and the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the foundation of Peterhouse (1884); or concern an address of support from members of Senate to the Liberal Unionist leadership (1887).
Letter to William Otter, Bishop of Chichester, 1838
Correspondence on diocesan and Church matters, with Julius Hare, Henry Manning and others
Photographs of other individuals (not family), c.1855-1900
1-2. Adam Sedgwick (Autumn 1860, January 1862); 3. Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1862); 4. Otto Struve, St Petersburg (1875); 5-7. Dr Whewell (pre-1866); 8. J. Russell Lowell (undated, c.1860-1880); 9. Robert Ransome of Ipswich (undated, c.1855-1864); 10. Baron Gorell of Brampton (Gorell Barnes) (undated, c.1870-1900).
William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire: Letter to Messrs. Metcalfe, 1884
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
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