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Transition of the founding collection from South Kensington Museum, London to the University of Oxford
Read Pitt-Rivers' own account of his collection at South Kensington and its transfer here.
In 1878 the founding collection had been transferred from the Bethnal Green branch of the South Kensington Museum [SKM] to the main site. It remained there for the next seven years but its history there was one of uncertainty and potential change.
As Chapman has explained:
Pitt Rivers’ occasional arguments with those in charge of his collections at South Kensington served to underline a far more fundamental concern: whether he was planning to make his collection a truly public foundation by relinquishing his ties with it, or whether he was to keep it for himself. It was a decision that Pitt Rivers had been avoiding for a number of years. Still, something had to be done soon, and it was clear that the South Kensington authorities would no longer tolerate his attempts to retain control over the details of arrangement or add to or subtract from his collection as he pleased. The outcome was, as the Council on Education informed Pitt Rivers in late 1879, that the Museum would have to be given complete control if the collection was to remain on display there. ... In the early part of 1880, Pitt Rivers became suddenly and unexpectedly the heir to a great fortune ... For the first time Pitt Rivers had the means to purchase in an unrestricted way ... he let Richard Thompson at South Kensington know that he would ‘extend much more rapidly than hitherto the Ethnographical collection now exhibited at South Kensington.’ He was also anxious, as he explained, to provide for a more permanent kind of foundation ... I shall want nearly double the space at once, and if my intentions are fulfilled, more rooms will be required immediately’. [Chapman, 1984: 13]
Here is a table that outlines the main events in the transfer of the collection to Oxford and also the first few years of the collection at Oxford:
Date |
Activity |
Source |
5 April 1880 |
Lane Fox attends funeral of Lord Rivers, from whom he inherits an estate and income |
The Times 6 April 1880 |
14 April 1880 |
Letter from Lane Fox to Assistant Director of SKM explaining that he wishes to expand his collection rapidly and requires more space, and will provide staff to service it |
Letter from PR to Thompson Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum [henceforth S&SWM], P125 |
? 1880 |
Lane Fox / Pitt-Rivers [P-R] offers collection to the nation as part of his negotiations with SKM |
S&SWM, P134, 136c |
25 May 1880 |
The Queen grants Lane-Fox right to use surname Pitt-Rivers |
|
May 1880 |
Committee established to report on offer to Council. Members: Rolleston, Lubbock, Fergusson, Huxley, Poynter, Cunliffe-Owen and Donelly, Franks joined in or after July 1880 |
S&SWM, P127, PRM foundation volume, PR to Franks, 1 July 1880 |
1 July 1880 |
PR writes to Franks saying he prefers his collection to be sited at British Museum rather than SKM |
PRM foundation volume |
23 September 1880 |
Report in Nature about the proposed donation |
Nature 23.9.1880 page 490 |
March 1881 |
Letter from Moseley to Franks, P-R has offered collection to University of Oxford |
|
16 June 1881 |
Rolleston dies |
|
June 1881 |
PR offer rejected by Council |
|
14 December 1881 |
Letter from G.F. Duncombe to P-R asked to stop sending items to SKM to add to collection (this does not stop though) |
S&SWM P131 |
January 1882 |
University Committee established to consider PR’s offer reports to Hebdomadal Council |
PRM foundation volume |
April 1882 |
Delegates of University Museum consider PR’s offer, they ask committee of Acland, Moseley, Westwood and Prestwich to report on space required, and costs |
OUMNH, minutes of the meetings of Delegates, 1867-1888, 1882.7 |
21 May 1882 |
PR expresses dislike of idea that his collection should be incorporated into the Ashmolean Museum |
21 May 1882, Bod, MS. Acland d.92, fols.75-7 |
May 1882 |
PR responds to set of proposed schedules of study for Honours in Anthropology |
MS Acland d. 92, fols. 79-90 |
May 1882 |
Decree to be brought before University Convocation published |
University Gazette |
30 May 1882 |
University accepts PR’s offer of collection, negotiations over details to continue |
Chapman, 1981: 473, University Gazette |
24 September 1882 |
Tylor writes to PR, saying PR’s collection should settle in Oxford soon and asking for support of anthropology teaching developments |
S&SWM PR papers L8 |
26 October 1882 |
P-R formally retires from Army |
London Gazette (25150: 4384)
|
November 1882 |
Keeper of OUM reports that a deputation had been appointed by Hebdomadal Council to discuss the PR gift with PR. Deputation consisted of Muller, Sayce, Stubbs, Acland, Westwood, Prestwich, Moseley, Maskelyn, Pelham and Henry Smith [the Keeper] |
OUMNH], minutes of the meetings of Delegates, 1867-1888, 1882.12 |
1 January 1883 |
P-R becomes Inspector of Ancient Monuments |
Thompson, 1977: 64, 73, 125
|
19 January 1883 |
Report to Hebdomadal Council from the Committee of Members of Convocation appointed to consider PR’s gift submitted |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/1 |
19 January 1883 |
Above report also contains report on space required for PR collection by Gilbert Redgrave |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/1 |
January 1883 |
Pamphlet issued by University of Oxford describing PR collection |
PRM foundation volume |
6 February 1883 |
Description of the Pitt Rivers collection circulated |
University Gazette |
February 1883 |
Henry Smith, Keeper of OUM dies |
Larson, 2007 |
15, 21 February 1883 |
Tylor gives two lectures at Oxford OUM |
Larson, 2007; Chapman, 1981: 480
|
7 March 1883 |
Convocation accepts PR collection as gift, and grants £7500 for building, cases and fittings |
PRM Box 1 36-41, The Times 8 March 1883
|
10 March 1883 |
Tylor is appointed as Keeper of the OUM |
Larson, 2007, 92 |
May 1883 |
SKM asked to prepare inventory of PR collection prior to its transfer |
S&SWM, P132 [the whereabouts of this inventory are unknown in 2011] |
2 June 1883 |
P-R in Oxford, staying with Tylor |
Univ. of California Tylor papers |
5 June 1883 |
Convocation sanctions deed |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
June 1883 |
Deane writes to Gamlen saying plans available of new museum |
University archives UC/FF/60/2/1 |
6 July 1883 |
Morrell and Son solicitors write to Gamlen (University Secretary) to say that the deed of gift is being held while the catalogue of collection is completed and printed. Conditions had been added by Farrer and Co [PR’s solicitors] that a Lecturer should be appointed to give yearly lectures on anthropology and that the donor and his agents should be allowed to make drawings of the objects for publication |
University archives UC/FF/60/2/1 |
24 July 1883 |
MacGarvey [Engineer] wrote to Deane regarding services for new extension |
University archives, UC/FF/60/1 |
27 July 1883 |
Morrell and Son confirm to Gamlen that PR had declined to execute the deed until the University had inserted his conditions |
University archives UC/FF/60/2/1 |
October 1883 |
Tylor begins work as Keeper of the OUM |
Larson, 2007, 92 |
6 November 1883 |
Gazette records decree to appoint Reader in Anthropology |
University Gazette Vol. XIV November 6, 1883, p. 89 |
20 November 1883 |
Decree regarding Reader post carried |
University Gazette Vol. XIV November 20, 1883, p. 128 |
11 December 1883 |
Announcement of appointment of E.B. Tylor to post of Reader in Anthropology |
University Gazette Vol. XIV December 11, 1883, p. 192 |
1 January 1884 |
Tylor starts in post |
University Gazette Vol. XIV December 11, 1883, p. 192 |
13 May 1884 |
Publication of Deed of Gift and Declaration of Trust of Pitt Rivers Collection |
University Gazette |
20 May 1884 |
Deed of gift signed |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2, PRM papers Box 2: 20, University Gazette |
20 May 1884 |
Decision that University of Oxford archaeological collections should be concentrated in Ashmolean Museum |
University Gazette |
June 1884 |
Arthur Evans appointed as Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum and begins arrangements to transfer ethnographic collections from Ashmolean to Pitt Rivers Collection |
Larson, 2007 |
10 June 1884 |
Tender signed with Symm and Co to build new extension |
University archives UC/FF/60/2/1 |
From ?June or July 1884 |
Moseley and Tylor visit New Mexico for the Long Vacation |
Chapman, 1981: 487 |
4 July 1884 |
Franks is reported at valuing the PR collection for insurance purposes for £10,000 [roughly the cost of providing the building to house it] |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen University archives UC/FF/60/2/1 |
24 July 1884 |
SKM Board authorities resolve to allow PR to continue to send objects to SKM but not to allow him any more room |
V&A Archives, Precis of the Board minutes Dept of Science and Art, 1.1.1884-31.12.1887 page 29 E.M. 6583 |
November 1884 |
Plans of new extension completed |
Chapman, 1981: 487, see also 1885/1 History of OUMNH 1874-1902 Box 2, HW Acland correspondence |
12 November 1884 |
Report of the Committee on the Pitt-Rivers Museum [sic] referred to the need to reduce the original tenders, reducing the size of the extension etc |
University archives, UC/FF/60/1 |
25 November 1884 |
University Decree that the Curators were allowed to expend additional monies not exceeding £16,000 on the Pitt Rivers building including cases etc |
University Gazette |
2 December 1884 |
Additional grant of £1600 given for PR collection buildings |
PRM Box 1 36-41 |
? 1884 |
J.T. Long appointed as first PRM assistant |
http://history.prm.ox.ac.uk/timeline_prm_1880.html |
22 January 1885 |
SKM authorities agree that their vans can be lent for the removal of the Pitt Rivers collection, and that they would give the screens upon which the objects were displayed to the University of Oxford |
V&A Archives, Precis of the Board minutes Dept of Science and Art, 1.1.1884-31.12.1887 page 45 E.M. 323 |
27 January 1885 |
Letter from Secretary of Science and Art Dept, SKM to Tylor confirming that men and vans would be lent for the packing and removal of the collection, if the University paid the costs |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
11 February 1885 |
Letter from Tylor to Gamlen giving details of cases required with costs |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
11 February 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen, reporting that the SKM authorites had moved the PR collection within the SKM to temporary accommodation |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
21 February 1885 |
Letter from Secretary of Science and Art Dept, SKM to Gamlen, he cannot confirm that the PR collection will stay where it is until it is moved to Oxford |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
19 March 1885 |
Letter from Tylor to Gamlen forwarding costs estimate from F. Sage & Co for case costs |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
24 March 1885 |
Further contract regarding new extension signed with Symm |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
Circa 5 April 1885 |
Walter Baldwin Spencer replaces S.J. Hickson as Moseley’s assistant and begins to help with transfer of Pitt Rivers collection, from June he works in London from ‘morning’ until 5.30 in the afternoon’ |
Mulvaney, 1985: 54, 55, 60 |
15 May 1885 |
Letter from Sage to Gamlen confirming cases will begin to be delivered on 1 June 1885 |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
18 May 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen, suggesting that he arranged with SKM for the removal, but that Moseley and Tylor would superintend the move. Some objects should be delivered to the Clarendon building and others to the Oxford University Museum |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
23 May 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen, discussing the logistics of moving the screens, suggesting they are delivered to the OUM |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
30 May 1885 |
Letter from Secretary of Science and Art Dept, SKM to Gamlen confirming that SKM would be ready to pack the collection ‘at a day’s notice’ when Moseley and Tylor could be present |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
12 June 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen, confirming they might want to store objects from the PR collection in the Clarendon building upper rooms from 13 June 1885, Moseley going to SKM to superintend that day |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
17 June 1885 |
Tylor was superintending at SKM, staying at the Athenaeum |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
22 June 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen, he had just heard that the staircase in the new extension had been reduced in width which would cause problems with installation |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
3 July 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen enclosing statement of expenses for himself and Spencer, so presumably the packing in London had been completed |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
25 July 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen revising cases for new museum |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
11 October 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Balfour inviting him to be his assistant and describing duties |
PRM foundation volume |
12 October 1885 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen saying it was necessary for him to have a skilled assistant for a year to help in arranging and labelling the PR colleciton |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/2 |
28 October 1885 |
Balfour starts work as Moseley’s assistant |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
21 January 1886 |
Letter from Duncombe to P-R asking where he wants remainder of his collection to be delivered |
Chapman, 1981: 682
|
January / February 1886 |
Objects removed from SKM to P-R home |
S&SWM, P133 |
15 February 1886 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen asking that building work on the extension for the PR collection be quieter during teaching |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
17 March 1886 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen about roof structure and colour of pillars in PRM |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
?date not available |
Letter from Moseley to ?Gamlen asking for leave to ask SKM to allow one of their superintendents [Hill] to come to Oxford for a week to catalogue the collection |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
6 May 1886 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen confirming Sage’s men were anxious to start installing the cases |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
1 June 1886 |
P-R and family visit Oxford and PRM |
University of California Tylor papers
|
11 June 1886 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen about the inscription over the door to the new extension suggesting that perhaps it should read ‘Pitt Rivers Anthropological Collection’ [it reads Pitt Rivers Collection’] |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
19 June 1886 |
Secretary, Science and Arts Dept SKM confirmed to Gamlen that Mr Hill would work with Oxford providing they paid expenses |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
5 July 1886 |
Case installation completed |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
10 July 1886 |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen confirming he had checked all the case locks and was satisfied |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
18 July 1886 |
Hill comes to Oxford to work on ‘cataloguing’ the collection, he stayed in the Museum Cottage [sic] and worked with Balfour |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
30 July 1886 |
P-R in Oxford to receive his D.C.L. |
S&SWM L235 The Times 12 June, 1 July 1886 |
1 November 1886 |
Captain Cook related ethnographic objects listed as being displayed in OUM rather than PRM |
Letter from Moseley to Gamlen, Oxford University Archives, University Chest files, UC/FF/60/2/ |
By 1 November 1886 |
Ethnographic objects from OUM transferred to PRM |
PRM accession books and University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
? November 1886 |
Further cases ordered from Sage |
University Archives, UC/FF/60/2/3 |
5 February 1887 |
Tylor begins series of lectures about PRM |
Oxford Chronicle and Berks and Bucks Gazette |
12 March 1887 |
Letter from Balfour to Acland seeking further recognition of his work for the PR collection |
[1885/1 History of OUMNH 1874-1902 Box 2, HW Acland correspondence] |
21 October 1887 |
Letter from Acland to P-R, Moseley ill and Balfour to take more responsibility |
OUMNH, 1885/1, box 2 |
21 November 1887 |
Letter from Tylor to P-R confirming Hebdomadal Council proposes that there be a grant of £400 per annum to complete the arrangement of the PR collection and prepare a catalogue |
S&SWM L420 |
29 November 1887 |
Curators of University Chest authorised to expend sum not exceeding £1200 from 1 January 1888 on PRM |
PRM Box 1 36-41 |
13 December 1887 |
Letter from P-R to Balfour about arranging arrows and spears |
PRM Box 1 27-30 |
25 January 1887 |
Court of the Museum opens to the public |
University Gazette, Oxford Times, 12 February 1887; Times of London 7 February 1887 |
August – September 1888 |
Balfour absent from Oxford on journey to Lapland with Arthur Evans |
|
23 October 1888 |
P-R visits Oxford |
Chapman, 1981:518; Univ. of California Tylor papers |
October 1888 |
P-R gives final donation to PRM, purchasing items from OH Howarth for the museum and also donating objects from Rotherley Camp |
S&SWM L551 & 573 and accession book |
4 October 1888, 20 October 1888 |
Letters from Tylor to P-R suggesting a 3d guide to the collection |
S&SWM L541, L552 |
? 1888 |
Upper Gallery of PRM opens |
|
? 1888 |
First annual report of PRM prepared |
|
25 June 1889 |
Balfour gives paper to Anthropological Institute on composite bows, this causes controversy with P-R |
JAI Vol. 19, (1890), pp. 220-250
|
? 1889 |
Balfour appointed sub-curator of PRM |
|
31 October 1890 |
Letter from Vice-Chancellor confirming Balfour appointed Curator of PRM with same status as professors in OUM, decree passed in December 1890 confirming this |
|
30 April 1891 |
P-R lectures at the OUM, The Original Collection of the Pitt-Rivers Museum; the Principles of Arrangement and History’ |
Petch, 2007 |
1 May 1891 |
P-R visits Tylors |
Univ. of California Tylor papers |
November 1891 |
Moseley finally dies |
DNB entry |
Winter 1892 |
The last remaining area of the Museum opens to the public, the Lower Gallery |
Petch, 2007 |
11-14 August 1894 |
P-R visits Oxford to attend BAAS meeting |
University of California Tylor papers
|
AP, November 2010, significantly updated May 2011, totally revised October 2011