Archive / Papers / Edmonstone Papers

Description

Small Collections Box 9

Copy of a personal narrative by Neil Benjamin Edmonstone of his Indian career and public service from 1783 to 1840.

Given by the Venn family.

The narrative is dated London 15 January 1841. Edmonstone entered the Company’s service as a Writer in 1783 becoming Persian translator to Government in 1798. He accompanied Lord Mornington’s expedition against Tipu Sultan in 1799 translating and publishing Tipu’s secret documents. In 1809 he was appointed Chief Secretary to Government and served as a member of the Supreme Council at Calcutta between 1812 and 1817.

This copy was found amongst the papers of Edmonstone’s fourth daughter. There are appendices which are in the form of transcripts of certain minutes and notes by Edmonstone and others (including a minute by the Earl of Minto dated 2 October 1813). The minutes largely relate to Edmonstone’s resignation from the Supreme Council in 1817. 58pp.