Papers of Sydney Chancellor

Scope and Content

This file of material associated with Chancellor includes personal ephemera relating to his own life. It also includes correspondence relating to the offer of Sir William Beechey's Diary and Account Book to the Gallery in 1893 and to its temporary deposit with the Gallery in 1904. In addition it includes one letter relating to Beechey family history more generally.

Administrative / Biographical History

This material was acquired in 2003 alongside the Diary and Account Book of Sir William Beechey (1753-1839) [WB1/1] and the set of 14 sketches attributed to Beechey's son Henry William Beechey (1788/9-1862) [HWB/1]. Sydney Chancellor was the previous owner of the Beechey material by descent from the artist, as Chancellor's wife was a granddaughter of the artist's son, Henry William Beechey. [See Roberts, Sir William Beechey, R.A. (London, 1907), pp. 220-37].

The volume and sketches were offered to the Gallery for purchase in 1893 by Chancellor but declined by the then Director, Sir George Scharf . Chancellor subsequently loaned the Diary and Account book to the Gallery in 1904, when Lionel Cust made a transcription [NPG8/3/26, formerly listed as MS34].

Access Information

Available to view by appointment in the Heinz Archive and Library Public Study Room, to make an appointment contact Archive Reception . Although records are generally available for public consultation, some information in them, such as personal data or information supplied to the Gallery in confidence, may be restricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Personal photography is permitted for research purposes only. Photocopying is not permitted.

Related Material

WB1/1 - Papers of Sir William Beechey, Common Occurrences, 1784-1785, pages 1-5;
HWB - Papers of Henry William Beechey (1788/9-1862);
NPG8/3/26 - Papers of Sir Lionel Cust, Transcription of the Account Book of Sir William Beechey (1753-1839), 1784-1813.

Personal Names