urn:taro:rice.wrc.00055 Guide to the Allan Cunningham Papers, 1815-1841 Finding aid prepared by Woodson Research Center circa 1975. Text converted by SPI Content Sciences Inc., April 2003. Finding aid written in English. 20030714 Edited with XMetal 3 by Mandy York, according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. Descriptive Summary Cunningham, Allan, 1784-1842 Allan Cunningham Papers, 1815-1841 0.10 linear ft. (1 folder) MS #320 Materials are in English. Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX The bulk of this collection is comprised of correspondence to and from art historian Allan Cunningham. The correspondence largley concerns matters connected with Cunningham's numerous publishing projects, including his Lives of the Most Eminent British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, which appeared between 1829 and 1833. Also included in the collection are three Mss. poems--one perhaps by the Rev. J. Judkins and two by Cunningham. Biographical Note

Born on 7 December, 1784 at Keir, Dumfriesshire, Allan Cunningham was one of nine children. He attended a dame's school briefly, before being apprenticed to his brother James, a stonemason in Dalwinton, at age 11. Bookish from an early age, Cunningham read avidly in his spare time and soon began experimenting with his own poetry. Some poems signed 'Hidallan' were published in the 'Literary Recreations' (1807) edited by Eugenius Roche.

In 1809 R.H. Cromek met Cunningham while touring Scotland looking for indigenous songs and ballads. Cunningham showed him his work and the result was that Cromek persuaded Cunningham to move to London and try his hand at literature as a living. That was in April, 1810. A volume entitled Remains of Nithdale and Galloway Song was published under Cromek's aegis which featured some of Cunningham's work.

In London, following a period of intermittent employment as a journalist and newspaper poet, Cunningham made the acquaintance of the sculptor Sir Francis Chancery. Sir Francis agreed to employ the struggling writer as his superintendent of the works in 1814. From then on he resided at 27 Lower Belgrave Place, Pimlico - the address which appears on most of the letters in the following collection. Cunningham's position was that of Chancery's secretary; he conducted his correspondence, represented him during his absence, and perhaps advised him artistically.

In his spare time Cunningham continued to write. He contributed a series called 'Recollections of Mark Macrabin' to Blackwood's Magazine from 1819 - 1821, later giving up Blackwood's for the London Magazine. In 1822 there appeared his two volume Traditional Tales of the English and Scottish Peasantry, and in 1825 he produced a four volume collection entitled The Songs of Scotland, Ancient and Modern. In both 1829 and 1830 Mr. Cunningham edited a poetical 'Anniversary', references to which appear in some of the following letters, which contained contributions from such contemporaries as Southey, Lockhart, Hogg, Wilson, Croker, and Proctor. Between 1829 and 1833 Cunningham also produced his six volume work, Lives of the Most Eminent British Painters, Sculptors and Architects, which benefitted greatly from the author's personal connection and intimacy with many of his subjects. The last work to appear in his lifetime was a biography of Robert Burns, published in 1834. A biography of Sir David Wilkie, composed during the last years of Cunningham's life appeared posthumously.

Allan Cunningham was married to Jean Walker in Southwark on 1 July, 1811. His marriage remained stable and happy until his death in 1842. His widow succeeded him by 22 years. Their union produced five sons and a daughter, the two eldest sons being awarded cadetships in the Indian service as a result of the influence of Sir Walter Scott whom Cunningham had met via Sir Francis Chancery. In 1831 Cunningham received the freedom of Dumfries as well as the praise of Thomas Carlyle, by whom he was referred to as 'the solid Dumfries stonemason'. He was generally known as 'honest Allan Cunningham', a stalwart, hearty, prolific and kindly man with 'a tag of rusticity to the last'. He lies buried at Kensal Green. (Excerpted from the Dictionary of National Biography).

 Scope & Contents

The collection comprises 19 items in total: thirteen letters addressed either to or from Allan Cunningham form its bulk. The correspondence largley concerns matters connected with Cunningham's numerous publishing projects, including his Lives of the Most Eminent British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, which appeared between 1829 and 1833. Also included in the collection are three Mss. poems--one perhaps by the Rev. J. Judkins and two by Cunningham.

This collection comprises 19 items in total: 13 letters either to or from Mr. Cunningham; 3 poems, one perhaps by the Rev. J. Judkins and two by Cunningham; a single printed item - a biographical sketch of Sir Walter Scott perhaps composed by Mr. Cunningham; finally, there are two reproductions of engravings of Mr. Cunningham both autographed by the subject.

 Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series, housed within one folder. Series I: Letters, dating from 1815 to 1841, are arranged chronologically in the first section. Series II: Poems and Published Materials, contains the poems in chronological order, and the printed article and engravings of Cunningham.

 Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

 Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Allan Cunningham Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

 Preferred Citation

Allan Cunningham Papers, 1815-1841, MS # 320, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

 Acquisition Information

Purchased 1955 through the Friends of Fondren Library.

 Index Terms Subjects (Titles) Lives of the Most Eminent British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. Subjects Art historians - Great Britain. Art history - Sources. Formats Correspondence. Poems. Detailed Description of the Collection Series I: Letters, 1815-1841 10 May 1815 ALS Allan Cunningham to 'Author of Theresa' The recipient of this latter remains unidentified. A letter informing someone of Cunningham's favourable first impressions of a book they had written and sent to him. 2 November 1824 ALS Allan Cunningham to 'My dear friend' The recipient of this letter is believed to be John Taylor, Esq. A letter sending a traditional version of The Romance of Fair Annie of Lochragan for the new issue of the mag. Also includes the first sheet of his proof of 'the introduction' for the benefit of Mr. Taylor's reading. 5 April 1828 ALS Allan Cunningham to Rev. J. Judkins (?) This letter is addressed to 'My dear friend'. Declining an invitation to visit the Rev. owing to his children's illness. Date? ALS Allan Cunningham to Rev. J. Judkins Letter saying he did not remember promising to send a book but that he did recall saying he would go there to dine. Also containing an appeal for assistance relating to Bonington, Lawrence and Gwen. (?) 7 August 1829 ALS Allan Cunningham to Rev. J. Judkins Decling an invitation to dine owing to his own illness. Says that he is overworked, but that if he could find time he would see Judkins. 25 February 1830 ALS Allan Cunningham to J. Nichols, Esq. Thanking him for some Hogarth material he had used, and explaining briefly how and why he had done so. February 1830 ALS J. Nichols to Allan Cunningham A response to Cunningham's note of thanks 12 July 1830 ALS Allan Cunningham to John Murray, Esq. Letter referring to the accumulation of materials necessary for a study of the life of Inigo Jones. 14 April 1832 ALS Allan Cunningham to Rev. James Wills Thanking him for a poem he had sent, and praising its merits. 12 September 1833 ALS Allan Cunningham to John Key Thanking him for a letter, written by Key on his behalf, which he (Cunningham) Describes as 'judicious and to the point.' 5 August 1834 ALS Allan Cunningham to James Cochrane A letter saying that he does not wish to move and cannot see what good his presence would do. However, if Cochrane is certain that his presence would 'make the troubled waters smooth' he will meet with him at 8 o'clock that evening. 1 May 1837 ALS Allan Cunningham to S. Waagen A letter of introduction for Mr. George Darley. 27 August 1839 ALS Allan Cunningham to Mr. Brown A letter asking on behalf of Sir Francis Chantrey for the preparation of some stone for a 'monument'. (Chantrey was a sculptor). 2 September 1841 ALS Allan Cunningham to William Scrope 'Sorry you were unable to attend the Wilkie Statue Meeting'; 'it opened a little stormy but the fine, commanding spirit of Sir Robert Peel calmed down the waters of strife'. Series II: Poems and Published Materials, 8132, n.d. 6 October 1832 AMsS Dayburgh Abbey A prose poem (presumed to have been) sent to Cunningham by Rev. J. Judkins. (?) AMsS O Were My Peggy A poem by Allan Cunningham Poem, n.d. AMsS The Pirates Song A poem by Allan Cunningham 29 September-31 October 1832 The monthly supplement of The Penny Magazine A biographical sketch of the life and works of Sir Walter Scott perhaps written by Allan Cunningham.

The last two items of this collection are autographed engravings of Allan Cunningham.