Files relating to the British Expedition to observe the Total Solar Eclipse of 14 Jan. at Benkoelen, Sumatra. The British Expedition party included Col. Frederick John M. Stratton, C. Davidson and Mr Barton. The eclipse was of particular astronomical interest because of its relatively long duration, 3-4 minutes, and because the sun was almost at its maximum sunspot period. In addition to the British party, three American parties were sent from Swarthmore College, the United States Naval Observatory and Harvard University. The expedition parties also included German, Dutch and Australian members.

The files include notebooks recording instruments and plates, preparatory documents including a sketch of the camp, reports, photographs of spectra, and correspondence. A news cutting showing the British Expedition team at work is included (RGO 169/3/8).

Originally in two [torn] envelopes addressed to C. Davidson (RGO 169/3/1-4: envelope 1; RGO 169/3/5-7: envelope 2). Included are some earlier and later data tables for eclipses from 1893-1932 (RGO 169/3/6). The handwritten items are mainly by F. Stratton.