Diary of Sir Arthur Hirtzel, 1907

Content

This volume is a diary of Sir Arthur Hirtzel (then Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India) for the year 1907. Entries start from 2 January and end at 31 December (some dates in between these dates do not have any entries). The entries are usually brief (although entries for some dates run over into the space for the entry for the next date).

Apart from brief references to the weather, Hirtzel’s attendance at church services, and other personal matters, Hirtzel’s diary entries mostly concern John Morley (Viscount Morley of Blackburn, Secretary of State for India, referred to as ‘J.M.’ throughout). The entries mainly record the following: the views and opinions expressed by Morley on various issues, largely relating to India and India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. business, and individuals (as recorded by Hirtzel); meetings between Morley and various individuals; Cabinet and Committee meetings and other events attended by Morley; conversations between Hirtzel and Morley (including Morley informing Hirtzel that he had recommended him for the Companion of the Order of the Bath, 18 June, folio 69 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ); and Morley’s moods, emotions and health (as recorded by Hirtzel).

The diary includes entries relating to Morley’s views on matters including: India’s military requirements (5 and 8 January, folio 20 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ); the proposal of the Viceroy of India the Earl of Minto (Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynynmound) to appoint an Indian member to the Viceroy’s executive council (8 April, folio 48 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ; 18 April, folio 52 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ; and 22 April, folio 52 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ); the visit of the Amir [Emir] of Afghanistan Habibullah Khan to India (9 January, folio 20 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ; 12 and 13 January, folio 31 verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. ); and the visit of the German Emperor (Kaiser Wilhelm II to the United Kingdom (15 November, folio 117 recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. ).

The volume itself is a Blackwood’s Desk Diary for 1907, published by Chas. Straker & Sons, Ltd., London. It includes printed information at the front and the back, such as an almanack [almanac], Post Office regulations, local information about large towns, a list of public museums and places of interest in London, and a list of country bankers and their London agents and the market days of each town. There are also various advertisements at the front and back of the volume.

Pages (not folios) in the diary which relate to press cuttings in the Sir Arthur Hirtzel Press Cuttings volume [Mss Eur D1090/6], are noted in the Press Cuttings volume.

Extent and format

1 volume (149 folios)

Arrangement

Diary entries are chronological from the front to the rear of the volume.

There is an alphabetical index to the diary with entries for places, subjects and persons [Mss Eur D1090/5].

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 151; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

Mss Eur D1090/2

History of this record

Date(s)

2 Jan 1907-31 Dec 1907 (CE, Gregorian)

People & organisations

Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council

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Diary of Sir Arthur Hirtzel, 1907, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur D1090/2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000371.0x000188> [accessed 23 April 2024]

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