Correspondence and Papers on Persia

Content

This volume consists of correspondence received by George Nathaniel Curzon, mostly on matters relating to Persia. The letters are from friends, acquaintances and other correspondents, including a number of army officers, diplomats, writers and travellers with an interest in Persia.

Many of the letters discuss the internal affairs of Persia and British policy regarding the country, mostly from the perspective of British officers and diplomats who are residing or have visited there. Also discussed are Russian interests in Persia.

Reference is made to Curzon being informally known as the Member of Parliament for Persia, given his experience of travelling through the country; references are also made to Curzon's recent book, Persia and the Persian Question (in one of several letters to Curzon, Percy Molesworth Sykes submits a short list of corrections for certain passages).

Of particular note are a series of enclosures included in a letter from Albert Houtum-Schindler to Curzon, consisting of a translation of a proclamation from the Shah of Persia, as well as translations of a Persian Government concession and a convention between Persia and Russia on the subject of railways in Persia (ff 42-62). A copy of another Persian Government concession, which is written in French, is also included, as is a short list of additions to an existing list on the genealogy of the Qajar dynasty, which was originally included in an earlier letter from Houtum-Schindler to Curzon (see Mss Eur F111/60, ff 102-156).

The French language material consists of the aforementioned concession and one item of correspondence.

Other notable correspondents include the following: Charles Edward Yate, British Consul General, Meshed; Sir Henry Mortimer Durand; George Sutherland Mackenzie; Conyngham Greene; Benjamin W Stainton.

Extent and format

1 volume (107 folios)

Arrangement

The papers proceed in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

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 109; 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.

Folio 33 is missing.

Written in

English and French 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 F111/61

History of this record

Date(s)

20 Jan 1894-29 Aug 1894 (CE, Gregorian)

People & organisations

Albert SchindlerSir Percy Molesworth Sykes, KnightHenry Mortimer DurandBenjamin W StaintonWilliam Conyngham Greene

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Correspondence and Papers on Persia, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/61, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/mirador/81055/vdc_100000001452.0x0002ac> [accessed 11 July 2026]

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