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Papers of Captain Henry Ormsby

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 HO

Publication status

Published

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

1 notebook handwritten

Date(s)

  • 1856 (Creation)

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Henry Alexander Ormsby served in the Indian Navy. According to Charles Rathbone Low in his "A History of the Indian Navy (1613-1863)", Ormsby absconded from the Navy at the age of 19, between 1826-1830 and for three years went to live with some Arabs in their tents. For this he was struck off the navy list but because of his services to geographical science and surveying he was reinstated and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1839 his vessel made the quickest passage from Bombay to Suez yet recorded. He served in the China war, 1840-1842. He married Anne Jane Lye in 1843. He retired from the navy in 1848. The National Archives hold a copy of his will dating to 1857.

Repository

Royal Asiatic Society Archives

Archival history

The Paper was written by Captain Ormsby.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The Paper was presented to the Royal Asiatic Society and extracts of it read to the Society at its General Meeting of 6th December 1856. This is recorded in the General Meeting Minutes for that occasion.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

These Papers contain a single item entitled: "A Translation of the Standard inscription, and of the great slab, or Altar, found in the ruins of Nimrud by Captain Ormsby, Indian Navy". The translation is contained with a soft-cover notebook which gives details of the inscriptions. The notebook has a marbled cover which has come loose from the pages.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

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

Conditions governing reproduction

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.

Language of material

  • English

Additional information

Description identifier

gb891-ho
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