Arthur Bigge collection

The collection comprises of correspondence by Bigge on Polar matters in his role as private Secretary to King George V.

Arthur John Bigge was born on 18 June 1849 at Linden Hall, Northumberland. He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, and in 1869, was commissioned into the Royal Artillery, from which he retired as lieutenant colonel in 1898. Between 1878 and 1879, he served in the Zulu War, and the following year was appointed groom-in-waiting and assistant private secretary to Queen Victoria. In 1881, he was appointed equerry-in-ordinary, and in 1895, was knighted upon succeeding as private secretary to Queen Victoria, a post he held until her death in 1901, when he was appointed private secretary to the Prince of Wales. On the accession of King George V in 1910, Bigge remained private secretary to the king and the following year, was created first Baron Stamfordham. He died on 31 March 1931 at St. James's Palace, London.

The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by recipient

By appointment.

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Anyone wishing to consult material should ensure they note the entire MS reference and the name of the originator.

The term holograph is used when the item is wholly in the handwriting of the author. The term autograph is used when the author has signed the item.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to Dictionary of National Biography, 1931-1940, Oxford University Press London (1950)

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue, Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941.

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