Description compiled by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives. The biographical history was compiled with reference to the entries on R.N. Salaman in the
Redcliffe Nathan Salaman (1874-1955) was educated at St. Paul's School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he read for the natural sciences tripos. He was awarded his M.D. in 1904, but gave up medical work because he was suffering from tuberculosis. In 1905 he turned to the study of genetics, with particular reference to the potato, and published
Boxes 1-2: General correspondence, Sep. 1924 - June 1955 (7 files): letters to Salaman, with carbon copies of his replies, arranged alphabetically by correspondent. The correspondence concerns family matters, philanthropic activities, Zionism, Hebrew scholarship, local politics, and Cambridge University connections.
Box 3: Letters from Prof. W.A. Osborne, Australia, 1950-1955 (folder); letters from S.H. Ward, Letchworth, about checking references in libraries, etc., 1947-1955 (folder); 'Early letters' to Salaman from A.D. and A.S. Fraser, Henry Head, C.S. Myers, Herbert Samuel, and others, c. 1894-1906 (2 folders); Mrs Myer Salaman: letters to 'Harry', 1897, and to R.N. Salaman, 1894-1901 and 1908-1918; various writers to R.N. Salaman, 1895-1940 (folder); press-copy letter-book: R.N. Salaman to various persons, 7 Nov. 1914 - 20 Nov. 1919.
Box 4: R.N. Salaman to Nina Salaman, 1914-1919, 19 bundles.
Box 5: 'Letters from various important people', arranged alphabetically, c. 1911-1955 (file); letters of congratulations to R.N. Salaman on (a) his 70th birthday and (b) his 80th birthday (2 envelopes); 'Notes on books read' (leisure reading only), 1947-1954 (volume); correspondence about the Jewish University Library, 1920-1928 (folder).
Box 6: 'Autobiographical papers' and 'Reprints of articles and addresses'; 'Lectures and addresses', 1935-1955 (box-file); duplicate typescripts of lectures and articles.
Box 7: 'Racial origins and heredity': lectures, papers, correspondence, and photographs.
Box 8: Diaries, engagement books, and address books of R.N. and Nina Salaman, 1890-1954 (41 volumes).
Box 9: 'Judaica': offprints of articles on Jewish topics.
Box 10: Miscellaneous correspondence, offprints, passports, obituary notices, etc, including a (copy) letter from Laurence Housman on the parentage of Prince Albert, and testimonials from 1902.
Box 11: Schechita: reports and correspondence.
Box 12: Lucien Wolf Lecture 1953: correspondence, etc.
Box 13: Lectures and addresses, 1907-1934.
Box 14: Refugees: reports, correspondence, etc., 1937-1951, and other files on Jewish affairs.
Box 15: Letters regarding
Boxes 16 and 18: 'Potato literature': a set of printed articles by Salaman, 1910-1955 (2 box-files).
Box 17: History of potato: correspondence with Cambridge University Press and others, c. 1946-1955 (box).
Box 19: Potatoes: correspondence prior to 1947 (box).
Box 20: Potatoes: correspondence from mainly 1947-1955 (box).
Box 21 (and some loose): Photographs of R.N. Salaman, his family and friends, and photographs of family portraits (some framed).
Box 22: Miscellaneous letters, offprints, etc.
Pedigrees, correspondence and papers regarding the geneaology of Salaman, Davis and other Anglo-Jewish families, with Alex Brodie's
Box 23: Poetry manuscripts and correspondence.
Box 24: 'Apples and Honey': letters and papers (box-file); letters from Israel Zangwill.
Box 25: Miscellaneous manuscripts, notebooks, notes, and offprints.
Box 26: Translations, offprints, correspondence with publishers, etc.
Box 27: Notes for 'Ephraim Luzzato', Hebrew Poetry of the 16th century, offprints, etc.
Boxes 28-29: Arthur Davis Trust: 2 account books, deeds, and correspondence (box and box-file).
Arthur Davis: press cuttings (envelope); Clement and Herbert Davis: letters of condolence on their deaths (envelope); 'Song of the Ages' and 'Hatikvah': printed music; obituaries and press cuttings regarding Nina Salaman (bundle); 'Machzor': correspondence (folder); spare copies of books; loose papers.
Correspondence between R.N. Salaman and Nina Davis/Salaman, 1909-1917 (1 box, 7 pocket-files).
Two letters from Naphtali Hart, West Naitland, New South Wales, to his sister Bella (Soloman) in London, 30 Oct. 1843 and 30 Sep. 1844. The letters comment mainly on the family news contained in her letters to him, and also admit that his business affairs were not very prosperous (envelope, with typed transcripts).
Deposits were made by Mr R.A. Salaman in 1975; the Department of Applied Biology, Cambridge in 1976 and 1985; and Prof. A. Polak, son-in-law of Dr Myer H. Salaman, the eldest son of R.N. Salaman, in 1994.
Most of the collection is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room. However, a deposit of papers received in May 1991 currently has restricted access.
Additional Manuscripts Catalogue.