Plan for a subject index for the Harleian manuscripts
Reference code
MSS/0071
Title
Plan for a subject index for the Harleian manuscripts
Date
c. 1761
Level of description
item
Extent and format
Paper; ff. ii + 14.
Quarto.
Original blue paper cover, with title 'Dr Morton's Plan ...', fol. i. Rebound in reversed calf.
Quarto.
Original blue paper cover, with title 'Dr Morton's Plan ...', fol. i. Rebound in reversed calf.
Scope and content
Plan for a subject index to the catalogue of the Harleian manuscripts in the British Museum, outlined in a covering letter (fols. 1-3) to the Trustees of the British Museum from the Rev. William Norris (1719-91), Sec. SA.
The task of seeing the Harleian catalogue through the press had been committed to Norris in 1757 (fol. 6) but his representations that the catalogue was not ready for publication were overruled, and two volumes were published by the Trustees of the British Museum in 1759 without an index.
The plan for the index with sample entries (fols. 6-14) is attributed to Dr Morton (Charles Morton, MD, Keeper of Manuscripts, 1756-76), but is partly in Norris's hand. Vol. IV of the later Catalogue of the Harleian Manuscripts (1808-12) consisted of a classed catalogue with a general index.
The task of seeing the Harleian catalogue through the press had been committed to Norris in 1757 (fol. 6) but his representations that the catalogue was not ready for publication were overruled, and two volumes were published by the Trustees of the British Museum in 1759 without an index.
The plan for the index with sample entries (fols. 6-14) is attributed to Dr Morton (Charles Morton, MD, Keeper of Manuscripts, 1756-76), but is partly in Norris's hand. Vol. IV of the later Catalogue of the Harleian Manuscripts (1808-12) consisted of a classed catalogue with a general index.
Creator
Morton, Charles (1716-1799), Principal Librarian of the British Museum and physician
Previous reference number(s)
SAL/MS/71
MS 71
MS 71