The main item in these papers is the Letter Book, complied by Richard Macan concerned with the sale of the estate of the late Major Turner Macan. There is also a note written by Richard Macan and some modern research notes on the Letter Book and Turner Macan's biography.
Papers of Richard and Turner Macan
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 891 RTM
- Dates of Creation1836 - 1838
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialEnglish
- Physical Description1 archival folder
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Captain Turner Macan (1792-1836) of Carriff, Co. Armagh, was Persian Interpreter to the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in India. His edition of the Shahnameh was the first ever printed in Europe. The text was prepared from seventeen complete manuscripts and four fragments, most of which were written in Persia, lent to Macan by various British army officers and civil servants as well as local nawabs. One of these mauscripts (Rylands Persian MS 932, University of Machester) was presented to the translator by Nasir-ud-Din Haidar, the King of Oudh.
Richard Macan was with Turner Macan when he died in Calcutta in 1836 and took charge of his affairs.
Access Information
Open. Please contact the archivist using the email address given here. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID
Acquisition Information
It is unknown how this material came into the possession of the Society.
Archivist's Note
The Papers were catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2019.
Conditions Governing Use
Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.
Custodial History
The Letter Book was compiled by Richard Macan to document his dealings with the estate of Turner Macan to be presented to the executors of Turner Macan's estate, Major Thomas Macan and Mr Graham Johnston.