Descriptive Summary
Frank Harrison Hill
London Daily News papers,
1870-1886
85 items (2
folders)
MS 313
Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library,
Rice University, Houston, TX This
material is in English.
Liberal political writer
Frank Harrison Hill served as Editor-in-Chief of the London Daily News from
1870-1886; this collection is comprised of two folders of correspondence,
mainly original signed letters sent to Mr. Hill in his capacity as
Editor-in-Chief.
Biographical Note
Frank Harrison Hill was born in Boston, Lincolnshire in England in 1830.
After graduating from London University in 1851, he was called to the bar
before moving to Ireland in 1860 to become editor of the
Northern Whig. Hill remained in this post until
1866 when he returned to London to work for the liberal journal the
London Daily News. By 1870 Hill had risen to
become the editor-in-chief of that publication, a position he was to occupy
until his resignation in 1886.
During the course of his career in journalism, Mr. Hill also found time
to write two books. the Political Portraits
(1873) and a work entitled George Canning
(1887). Hill also contributed to the Question for a
Reformed Parliament (1867). Mr. Hill was an ardent Gladstonian and
throughout his long career as editor of the Daily
News consistently combined clarity of political statement with
journalistic excellence in the service of the principles of advanced
liberalism. By the time of Hill's resignation from the Daily News in 1886, that journal had long been
recognised as the pre-eminent liberal organ and mouthpiece of
nineteenth-century Britain.
Following a disagreement with the proprietors of the
Daily News in 1886, Mr. Hill was forced to
resign his position. He retired to private life and died in 1910.
Scope and Contents
This collection is comprised of 2 folders of correspondence, mainly
original signed letters sent to Mr. Hill in his capacity as Editor-in-Chief of
the London Daily News, 1870-1886. The letters are arranged in chronological
order in folder 1 and the remaining undated letters are grouped in folder
2.
Arrangement
- Series I: Correspondence, 1870-1886 (1 folder)
- Series II: Correspondence, undated (1 folder)
Access RestrictionsThis material is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Frank Harrison Hill
London Daily News papers must be obtained from the
Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.
Index Terms
Subjects (Persons)
Hill, Frank Harrison,
1830-1910. - Correspondence.
Gladstone,
Herbert.
Earl of Derby.
Sinclair, John, Sir.
Wickland, Henry
F.
West, Algernon,
Sir.
James, Henry,
Sir.
Playfair, Lord.
Avebury, John Lubbock,
Sir.
Priestly, William,
Sir.
Morris, Lewis,
Sir.
Newton, Charles, Sir.
Maine, Henry, Sir.
Fawcett, Millicent,
Dame.
Rawlinson, Henry, Sir.
Earl of Cork.
Lockyer, Joseph, Sir.
Lucy, Henry,
Sir.
Subjects
Newspaper editors - Great
Britain - London.
Great Britain - Politics and
government - 1837-1901.
London Daily News -
Sources.
Journalism - England --
History -- 19th century.
Formats
Correspondence.
Preferred Citation
Frank Harrison Hill London Daily News
papers, 1870-1886, MS 313, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice
University.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Myers & Co., 1955.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Correspondence
1870-1886
Arranged in chronological order.
"ALS" identifies letters as being handwritten, signed letters.
1
Letter 1
ALS Philip Harwood to F.H.Hill. Sending in a review of a
book.
March 22, 1870
1
Letter 2
Sir George Morgan to F. H. Hill,
May 31, 1872
1
Letter 3
ALS N. Osborne to F.H.Hill. Referring to arrangements made
for a visit to India.
March 20, 1875
1
Letter 4
ALS Earl of Carnaervon to F.H.Hill A note expressing
thanks to Mr. Hill.
January 9, 1876
1
Letter 5
ALS D.R.P. Rathmore to F.H. Hill. Asking to set up a
meeting with Hill.
December 15, 1876
1
Letter 6
Stafford Harry Northcote, viscount St. Cyres to F. H.
Hill,
January 26, 1877
1
Letter 7
ALS Arthur Tooth F.H. Hill Asking for the enclosed letter
to appear in the
Daily News.
January 26, 1877
1
Letter 8
ALS William Hepworth Dixon ? to F.H.Hill. A note of thanks
for his, 'first adventure in romantic literature.'
February 1, 1877
1
Letter 9
ALS Robert Main to F.H.Hill. Asking if the
Daily News, would care for an
article on the recently published naval engineer's report.
March 16, 1877
1
Letter 10
ALS Sir John Sinclair to F.H. Hill Thanking Hill for
including his letter in the
Daily News.
July 12, 1877
1
Letter 11
ALS William Minto to F.H.Hill. Commenting upon Mr Hill's
suggestion for an address of sympathy for M. Gambetta and allowing his name to
be used in endorsement of it.
September 6, 1877
1
Letter 12
ALS Francis Conder to F.H.Hill. Asserting to his
knowledge/Access to to information on the business conduct of the railways, and
professing his willingness to write an article for payment.
September 15, 1877
1
Letter 13
ALS Benjamin Moran to F.H.Hill. A letter of introduction
for Mr Jeremiah Curtin - the ex-Secretary of the U.S. Legation in St.
Petersburg, Russia.
October 5, 1877
1
Letter 14
ALS Francis Hueffer to F.H.Hill. Informing Hill that he is
going to edit the
New Quarterly magazine, and asks
Hill for his assisstance in providing articles.
November 26, 1877
1
Letter 15
ALS Robert Hutchinson to F.H.Hill. Replying to letters
from Mr. Hill.
December 30, 1877
1
Letter 16
ALS Julian Hawthorne to F.H.Hill. Submitting an old street
ballad from the era of the Peninsular war as an example of prophesy of the
present day.
February 12, 1878
1
Letter 17
ALS Sir James Knowles to F.H.Hill. Inviting Mr Hill to
meet Mr Gladstone.
April 3, 1878
1
Letter 18
ALS Earl of Derby to F.H.Hill. Asking Hill to call on him
if possible relating to an undisclosed matter.
April 20, 1878
1
Letter 19
Francis Knollys Caversham to F. H. Hill,
November 22, 1878
1
Letter 20
Henry F. Wickland to F. H. Hill,
December 3, 1878ALS Henry F. Wickland F.H.
Hill Bringing a judgement of the Privy Council to Hill's attention.
1
Letter 21
ALS M. ? Hobart to F.H.Hill. Asking for a letter of his to
be printed in the
Daily News.
December 21, 1878
1
Letter 22
ALS George Holyoake to F.H.Hill. Thanking him for using
his letter and the accompanting article.
January 2, 1879
1
Letter 23
ALS Viscount Esher to F.H.Hill. Claiming that a letter in
the Times (from the
New York Herald correspondent) is
false, and that Hill should make this widely known.
January 7, 1879
1
Letter 24
ALS Humphrey Sandwhith to F.H. Hill, Asking Hill to peruse
two enclosures and asking him if, in his judgement, his letter to the
Daily News needs correcting.
January 14, 1879
1
Letter 25
ALS Samuel Carlingford to F.H.Hill. An appreciation of
Hill's sympathy expressed earlier.
August 20, 1879
1
Letter 26
Newton Walop Portsmouth (Lymington?) to F. H. Hill,
February 21, 1880
1
Letter 27
ALS Percy Barrington Barrington to F.H.Hill. Relating to
the contents of a dictionary of antonyms and synonyms.
March 22, 1880
1
Letter 28
ALS Joe Chamberlain to F.H.Hill. Hoping that they can meet
soon to discuss the problem of what information an editor can get from the
Government, before writing in support or opposition to its policies.
November 18, 1880
1
Letter 29
ALS Sir Henry James to F.H.Hill. Asking for 'the enclosed'
to be brought to public attention.
December 7, 1880
1
Letter 30
ALS Richard Grosvenor to F.H.Hill. Thanking Hill for the
letter and the 'information about the document'. which further elucidates a
matter concerning McLucy and O'Donnell.
March 2, 1881
1
Letter 31
ALS Sir Charles Trevelyan F.H. Hill Giving assistance in
'breaking the ice' on the subject of the Transvaal.
March 4, 1881
1
Letter 32
ALS Sir Charles W. Dilke to F.H.Hill. Saying that nothing
yet had been heard from the French and stating that it looked as though they
(the French) meant to offer one half of the concessions Britain asked for.
Relates to tariff negotiations.
January 15, 1882
1
Letter 33
ALS Benjamin Hall Kennedy to F.H.Hill. Enclosing a letter
for publication.
December 4, 1883
1
Letter 34
ALS Frederic Harrison to F.H.Hill. Explaining why he
didn't send Hill a manuscript when he said he would.
December 31, 1883
1
Letter 35
ALS Henry Drummond ? to F.H.Hill. Asking if Hill can
include an article on M. Bernier.
March 25, 1884
1
Letter 36
ALS A.P.P. Rosebery to F.H. Hill. Thankfully declining an
offer to write something for the
Daily News.
April 26, 1884
1
Letter 37
ALS Herbert Gladstone to F.H.Hill. 'Can you kindly find a
corner for the enclosed? I know that the allegation it contains is well
founded'.
May 15, 1884
1
Letter 38
ALS W.R.S. Ralston to F.H. Hill. Letter to the same effect
as the above.
The conduct of the proprietors is to me
quite incomprehensible.
January 9, 1885
1
Letter 39
ALS Samuel Plimsoll to F.H.Hill. Asking if Hill can help
him find someone who, 'counted the questions put to the ministers over a long
period of time some months ago.'
January 24, 1885
1
Letter 40
ALS Ernest Hart to F.H.Hill. Asking Hill if he knows
someone who can do some work for him.
February 11, 1885
1
Letter 41
ALS Sir Algernon West to F.H. Hill. Enclosing a report
relating to national finances.
July 22, 1885
1
Letter 42
F. C. Barnard? to F. H. Hill,
January 6, 1886
1
Letter 43
ALS George Henry Boughton to F.H.Hill. Expressing regret
at Hill's retirement, and hopes that, 'the ground beneath our feet is not so
unstable after all as your
flitting would have us
believe'.
January 8, 1886
1
Letter 44
9 January 1886 ALS Sir John Lubbock Avebury to
F.H.Hill. Expressing regret that Hill was giving up the editorship of the
Daily News. He regrets that the
D.N. has taken up
Home Rule.
1
Letter 45
Edmund Yates to F. H. Hill,
January 9, 1886
1
Letter 46
ALS Lyon Playfair to F.H.Hill. Expressing the great loss
to the Liberal Party of Hill's retirement from his post.
January 10, 1886
1
Letter 47
Sir William Priestley to F. H. Hill,
January 10, 1886
1
Letter 48
ALS Lord Wharncliffe to F.H. Hill. A letter criticising
Hill on a printed statement referring to partisan journalism.
January 10, 1886
1
Letter 49
ALS Sir Richard Quain to F.H. Hill. Expressing regret at
Mr. Hill's 'retirement' and admiration of his contribution to 'advanced liberal
politics.'
January 11, 1886
1
Letter 50
E. H. B. Strafford? (Sinfield) to F. H. Hill,
January 11, 1886
1
Letter 51
ALS John Tyndall F.H. Hill 'I do not agree with you in
politics. Nevertheless, the last paragraph of your clear and dignified
statement touches me to the quick.' Probably relating to Hill's leaving the
Daily News.
January 11, 1886
1
Letter 52
ALS Sir Lewis Morris to F.H.Hill. Expressing his great
displeasure upon hearing of Hill's departure as editor of the
Daily News.
January 13, 1886
1
Letter 53
ALS Sir Charles Newton to F.H.Hill. Expressing sorrow at
the news of Hill's retiremnet.
January 15, 1886
1
Letter 54
ALS Sir Henry Maine to F.H.Hill. Asking Hill not to print
a letter written to him, or Mr. Maine's name.
January 21, 1886
Series II: Correspondence,
undated.
"ALS" identifies letters as being handwritten, signed
letters.
2
Letter 1
ALS George Russell to F.H. Hill. Says he is sorry for
anything causing Hill annoyance, and he hopes he will be able to find suitable
employment in the cause of the liberal party.
January 9, ??
2
Letter 2
ALS R.W. Buchanan to F.H.Hill. Complaining at how the
Daily News has misrepresented him
and hoping the editor will give him an explanation.
January 18, ??
2
Letter 3
ALS John Collins to F.H.Hill. Submitting an article
regretting the shameful condition of the graves of great men buried in London's
graveyards. Note saying that the article will be used.
January 28, ??
2
Letter 4
ALS Dame Millicent Fawcett to F.H.Hill. Expressing thanks
to Mr and Mrs Hill for their kindness on Henry's Death? Stating that she could
write an article on the women's industrial exhibition and suggesting other
subjects on which she could write. (Letter was written during the height of the
'Egyptian muddle').
February 18, ??
2
Letter 5
ALS Henry Fawcett to F.H.Hill. Informing Hill that he will
be back at work in the House (of Commons) soon, butto mention in the
Daily News that his health will
not permit him to attend late sittings.
March 3, ??
2
Letter 6
ALS William Black to F.H.Hill. A note to keep in touch,
and to keep Hill informed of his travel plans.
March 7, ??
2
Letter 7
ALS Earl of Cork to F.H.Hill. Refuting a denial by the
Conservatives that an advertisement seen by Cork and recounted by him to Hill,
had been issued, explaining where it was seen and its form. Further instructing
Hill what may be printed under Cork's name in the
Daily News.
March 31, ??
2
Letter 8
ALS Eustace Murray to F.H.Hill. Enclosing the notices of a
new play claiming these are the only ones to have done justice to the efforts
of the French dramatist to explain the motives of the Republican leaders.
April 6, ??
2
Letter 9
ALS H. Campbell-Bannerman to F.H.Hill. A letter
vindicating a certain deed committed by, or an opinion held by,
Campbell-Bannerman for his colleagues, contrary to that of the
Daily News.
April 7, ??
2
Letter 10
Guillaume Guizot to unknown (madame),
May 3, ??
2
Letter 11
L Sir Henry Rawlinson to F.H. Hill. Letter referring to
what he knows of the expeditions of Dr. Livingston and Mr. Stanley.
(potentially incomplete)
May 3, ??
2
Letter 12
ALS Earl of Dundonald to F.H.Hill. Asking to keep his
brother's name out of any published report of some trouble he was involved in.
May 28, ??
2
Letter 13
ALS George Holyoake to F.H.Hill. Saying that Hill can use
anything written under Holyoake's name.
June 20, ??
2
Letter 14
ALS Lord Cavendish to F.H.Hill. Requesting, on Mr.
Gladstone's behalf, that, 'a small mistake that has crept into the
Daily News', be rectified in an
informal manner.
August 27, 187?
2
Letter 15
ALS Frederic Harrison to F.H.Hill. Telling Hill that he
will be going to France to cover the elections in several provincial citie and
asking him for introductions.
October 5, ??
2
Letter 16
F. A. R. Russell to F. H. Hill,
October 15, ??
2
Letter 17
ALS Earl of Cork F.H.Hill Complementing the
Daily News on its treatment of a
pamphlet produced by him.
November 5, ??
2
Letter 18
ALS Abraham Hayward to F.H.Hill. Enclosing a memo which he
hopes will be useful to Mr Hill.
November 27, ??
2
Letter 19
ALS W.H. Smith to F.H. Hill Saying he was unaware of the
honours bestowed and he has forwarded Hill's note to all the Prime Minister's
secretaries.
November 29, ??
2
Letter 20
ALS George Goschen to F.H.Hill. Congratulating the
Daily News for its article
pointing out the dangers of the Government's policy on Indian silver.
December 1, ??
2
Letter 21
ALS Sir Henry Lucy to F.H.Hill. Letter referring to some
previous difference between the two men now resolved.
December 4, ??
2
Letter 22
ALS Sir Joseph Lockyer to F.H.Hill. Thanking Hill for the
favourable comments on his work.
December 15, ??
2
Letter 23
ALS Grant Allen F.H.Hill Enclosing a descriptive article
on the routes taken by British troops to the North Western Frontier; Asks if
the
Daily News could print a two
column piece on
Rectifications of Frontier in the
Past.
n.d.
2
Letter 24
ALS Percy Fitzgerald to F.H.Hill. Stating that he would
not like to sign the letter for fear of making enemies.
n.d.
2
Letter 25
ALS Sir William Harcourt to F.H.Hill. Asking him to find
room for an analysis of a parliamentary division by 'Liberal M.P.'
n.d.
2
Letter 26
ALS Noyes ? to F.H.Hill. Sending an enclosure for
inclusion in the
Daily News.
n.d.
2
Letter 27
ALS Richard A. Proctor to F.H.Hill. Hoping Hill can find
room in the
Daily News for this, 'Amusing
notion thrown out at the astronomical society by the painter Brett'.
n.d.
2
Letter 28
ALS Henry Reeve to F.H. Hill. Saying he enjoyed and agreed
with his article
Mr. Gladstone and the Liberal
Party.
n.d.
2
Letter 29
ALS W.E. Tenter F.H. Hill Wishing to see Hill about a
question he has about the Bulgarian atrocities.
n.d.
2
Letter 30
ALS Unidentified to F.H. Hill An art critic of the
Art Journall asking if a few
articles on an exhibition in Munich would be published in the
Daily News.
n.d.