Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo: Papers

Richard Southwell Bourke (1822-1872), 6th Earl of Mayo, was Viceroy and Governor-General of India from 1869 until his assassination in 1872.

The collection consists mainly of official papers from the last phase of Mayo's political career. The papers cover most aspects of policy-making and execution: military, diplomatic and security matters, economic policy, transport and communications, agriculture, famine relief and health, the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to India during 1869 and 1870, and Mayo's assassination. Some papers also provide insights into the working relationships amongst officials and amongst members of the Viceroy's Council. There is a small amount of personal correspondence relating to Mayo's private and social life in India, to Irish and British affairs, and to his relationships with individuals in Ireland and Britain.

Mayo's own work is represented by letters, memoranda, annotations to correspondence and papers, and notes to colleagues in the Government of India. Other principal figures in the central, provincial and native governments are also represented by a considerable quantity of correspondence, memoranda and notes. Many printed papers and published works by government officials and private individuals are included, as well as some items in Indian languages, most of which are illuminated formal addresses.

Transferred from the National Library of Ireland, 1953-1954.

The collection is arranged in two different ways: (1) bundles of loose documents organised according to subject, mixing correspondence and other papers, and grouped as far as possible according to the department of government principally concerned, and (2) bundles and bound volumes of correspondence organised by author, occasionally with other appended papers.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo: Papers, MS Add.7490

Letters from Mayo can be found in the Duke of Cambridge Papers, MS.Add.8782, and the Duke of Marlborough Papers.

Other collections of Mayo's papers can be found at:

India Office Collection

Burne Collection, MSS Eur D 951

Owen Tudor Burne was Mayo's private secretary. This collection covers the whole of Burne's working life, and includes material relating to Mayo's administration. There are a few letters to Mayo himself, from Indian rulers, Lord Lawrence and Sir Stafford Northcote; also some official letters written by Burne on Mayo's behalf, and letters to Burne from Charles Aitchison and John Strachey. There are some memoranda from Mayo's administration, as was as reflections on and eye-witness accounts of his assassination.

Argyll Collection, B 380

The Duke of Argyll was Secretary of State for India during Mayo's viceroyalty. This collection consists of 5 substantial letter-books from the years 1869-1870 containing letters received from Mayo. It contains the complete set of enclosures to Mayo's letters, consisting of copies of letters, memoranda, and sometimes maps and plans of buildings.

The National Library of Ireland

The National Library holds a large collection of personal and political material relating to Mayo's life and work in Ireland and England.

A full catalogue is available in the Manuscripts Reading Room.

Microfilm available