Leonard Palmer: photographs of Rhodesia [Zimbabwe]
Scope and Contents
An album of photographs taken by Leonard Shaftesbury Palmer, most dated May-July 1912 but collectively covering 1909-13, documenting settler life in Rhodesia, including historical sites (Rhodes' grave, World's View, Matopos; Shangani Memorial, Matopos), scenes in Bulawayo, Marendellas [Marondera], Shangani River, Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, the Great Zimbabwe complex, some photographs of the northern Transvaal [areas now in Gauteng or Limpopo Provinces] including Pietersburg [Polokwane], concentration camp cemetery and Tzaneen, and some of Beira, Zanzibar and the Suez Canal, presumably taken en route to England. Mostly captioned throughout with place names; individuals generally not identified with the exception of L.S. Palmer himself, [?] Lanning and Francis Blundell senior. 180 pp., approximately 500 images in total. The album is inscribed, 'Leonard S. Palmer, Box 138, Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1912'.
Dates
- Creation: bulk, 1912
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
Leonard Shaftesbury Palmer (1888-1958) was a quantity surveyor by profession. According to family tradition, Palmer was sent to what was then Rhodesia to assist with the design and construction of Cecil Rhodes' grave site in the Matopos Hill [now Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe]. Rhodes had died in 1902; Palmer was in Rhodesia c. 1911-13. Palmer and a colleague lodged with Mabel Georgina Mowbray; Mabel Mowbray was visiting Rhodesia to support her sister who was expecting twins. Leonard and Mabel later married in London in 1916. Palmer was badly gassed at Battle of Passchendaele and was unable to work again.
Extent
1 album(s)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The album was treated by Conservation and Collection Care for active mould in April 2018.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Susan Palmer, daughter of Leonard Palmer, in April 2018. Copyright assigned to Cambridge University Library by the donor at the point of transfer.
Geographic
Topical
- Date
- 2019-12-09 14:11:07+00:00
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
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