Papers of Edward Simms

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 29 EUL MS 204
  • Dates of Creation
      1890 (late 20th century copy)
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      One file.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a photocopy of Simms' published poem 'Stanzas to the memory of Sir Walter Scott', with which is included a photocopy of a letter from Simms to Messrs. Black & Co., 31 July 1890. In this letter, Simms encloses the Stanzas for possible publication in a new edition of Lockhart's 'Life of Sir Walter Scott'.

Administrative / Biographical History

Edward Simms (c 1803-c 1897), clergyman, writer, was the only son of Samuel Simms of Bath, gent. He was educated at Wadham College, Oxford, graduating BA in 1827 and MA in 1830 (Crockfords; Alumni Oxon has respectively 1826 and 1829). He was ordained deacon in 1836, priest in 1837, and became curate of Dudley, Wilton, Wiltshire at the age of fifty. In 1856 he moved to Plaitford, Wiltshire, where he remained until 1860. Where he was in the period 1860-1870 is not clear; he was possibly in Sussex, as his son's entry in Alumni Oxon mentions him as being of 'Lindfield, Sussex, cler.' In 1870 he became vicar of Escot in Devon, a post which he retained until 1877. His various publications include: Holy thoughts and holy prayers (1848), Devout Musings on the Book of Psalms (1851), The first six books of the Iliad of Homer (1873), and [as William Edward Simms] A Spiritual Commentary on the Book of Psalms (1882). His Stanzas to the memory of Sir Walter Scott was privately printed in the 1890s. He retired to Bushey Park, Salterton, Devon, where he lived until his death. He was alive in 1896, but was deceased by 1898. His son Spencer Edward Simms (c 1862-1941) also became a clergyman, and for twenty years was rector of Charmouth.

Access Information

Usual EUL arrangements apply.

Other Finding Aids

Single item.

Archivist's Note

Description compiled by Charlotte Berry, Archivist, 11 April 2005, and encoded into EAD 2 June 2005.

Conditions Governing Use

This photocopy must not be reproduced without the permission of Edinburgh University Library (Special Collections).

Custodial History

Acquired by Exeter University Library in 2001.

Related Material

None known.

Location of Originals

The original is held at Edinburgh University Library (Special Collections) (Corson C.S.32).

Bibliography

It is not known whether publication has been based on this collection.