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Correspondence of Robert Potts

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4427-4428

Scope and Contents

The letters relate to two contested elections at Cambridge in 1847, the first for the chancellorship of the university, in which Prince Albert (supported by Potts and many other reformers) defeated the conservative Earl of Powis; and the second for the university seats in the general election, at which the sitting members, Henry Goulburn and C.E. Law, survived challenges from Viscount Feilding and J.G. Shaw-Lefevre.

Dates

  • Creation: 1847

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Biographical / Historical

Robert Potts entered Trinity College. Cambridge in 1827, graduated BA in 1832, and proceeded MA in 1835. He settled in Cambridge as a private tutor, and was a strong supporter of reform within the University. He published a highly-regarded edition of Euclid’s Elements (1845) and other mathematical treatises, as well as works on theology and the University of Cambridge. He died in Cambridge on 4 August 1885.

Extent

2 archive box(es)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These letters were presented by Robert Potts to Cambridge University Library in 1872

Related Materials

The Library also holds Potts’ correspondence and papers respecting three collections of books made at Cambridge for the use of the library of Trinity College at La Tour in Piedmont, 1838-46 (MS Add.2612); and his collection of material generated by the debate on the celibacy of fellows of colleges, 1853-70 (MS Add.725).

Language of description
Uncoded languages
Script of description
Code for uncoded script

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom