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Autograph Letter Signed from Thomas Babington Macaulay to Principal John Lee, 18 August 1845

 Item
Identifier: Coll-1848/25-0060/5

Scope and Contents

This is an autograph letter signed sent by Thomas Babington Macaulay to John Lee, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, London, 18 August 1845. It reads: "The approbation of the distinguished body over which you preside is most gratifying to me. I am sincerely desirous to guard the rights and to promote the prosperity of your University. I heartily wish that this were always as easy a task as it was on the occasion to which you refer. The injustice then meditated was so monstrous that rational men could not possibly persist on it, after it had been pointed out to them."

Dates

  • Creation: 18 August 1845

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Full Extent

1 letter

Custodial History

From the family of autograph collector Emily Mary Rose Lee (1869-1949), wife of Colonel William Crawford Walton (1864-1937). Emily was the daughter of William Lee, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Glasgow from 1874 to 1886, and granddaughter of John Lee (1779-1859), Principal of Edinburgh University from 1840 to 1859.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in April 2025. Accession no. SC-Acc-2025-0060.

Physical Description

182 m x 114 mm. Good condition. Light marking.

Processing Information

Catalogued by Aline Brodin in November 2025, using information provided by the seller.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379