Papers of Dawson Turner (1775-1858), botanist, banker and antiquary, Part 2

Dawson Turner was born on 18 October 1775 in Great Yarmouth, the son of James Turner, banker, and his wife Elizabeth Cotman. In 1793 he came up to Cambridge and entered Pembroke College where his uncle was Master. However, he did not graduate and left the University the following year joining his father's bank in 1796. Supported by his inheritance, Turner was able to induldge his interests. His early passion was botany with special reference to cryptogams, publishing a number of books on the subject. Throughout his life he corresponded with many of the great botanists of the day. His further two great passions were painting - his wife and children took lessons from John Sell Cotman - and antiquarian studies, pursuing the latter subject with some vigour from 1820 onwards. He died in 1858.

This archive is the second accession of Turner papers recieved at Trinity College Library. It includes correspondence covering the period c.1800-1850, consisting mainly of personal letters to Dawson Turner from his family and a few friends. Correspondence not connected with the family comprises of a sequence of 90 letters written mostly in the first quarter of the 19th century, by Turners friend and business partner Hudson Gurney. Original material and notes relating to Dawson Turner and his family gathered by A.N.L. Munby from various sources, include three albums of etchings and autographs containing prints, cuttings, correspondence and other manuscript material, mostly from the first half of the 19th century. The correspondents are mostly Dawson Turner's academic acquaintances and minor public figures.

These papers were deposited at Trinity College Library by A.N.L. Munby in the early 1970's

The collection is arranged in two sections:

1. Correspondence etc., arranged alphabetically and including miscellaneous items.

2. Material relating to Dawson Turner and his family, divided into Albums, and A.N.L. Munby's notes etc.

Please cite as Trinity College Library, Cambridge: Dawson Turner papers.