Lansdowne manuscripts

The Lansdowne manuscripts are a significant named collection of the British Library, based on the collection of William Petty, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne.^[1] The purchase of the collection by the British Museum was in 1807.^[2]

Seal of Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke, from Lansdowne MS. 203.

The main features of the collection, as outlined by Nicholas Harris Nicolas, are:^[3]

• State papers and correspondence of Lord Burghley.
• Papers of Sir Julius Caesar.
• Papers of White Kennett; his manuscripts passed to James West and so to Lansdowne.^[2]
• Historical papers from the 15th century to 18th century, relating to major figures in English history.
• William Petyt's parliamentary papers, and papers of legal interest.
• Topographical and heraldic collections.