Burma, circa 1903 - circa 1921

An album containing photographic prints and coloured reproductions. Prints 2-62 are coloured reproductions from Kelly, R. Talbot (1905) Burma painted and described, London : Adam and Charles Black. The remainder are original photographs by Thomas Harry Goldsworthy Stevens. The prints mainly measure approximately 100 x 75 mm, although some are larger. The album is interleaved with sheets on which are typed captions, up to print 261. Photographs beyond this point are uncaptioned.
The prints show scenic views, ethnographical studies and local architecture. Some material relates to Stevens' Public Works Department activity.

Thomas Harry Goldsworthy Stevens was born on 27th January 1883, the son of Marshall Stevens (1852-1936), M.P. for Eccles 1918-22. He was educated at King William's College and the Royal Indian Engineering College at Cooper's Hill. From 1903-21 he served in the Burma Public Works Department. He saw active service with the Royal Engineers in Mesopotamia during World War I (OBE, mentioned in despatches three times). He retired from the Indian Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In later life he was director of a number of companies in the Manchester area. He was the author of two books: Trees and Shrubs in my garden, London : G. G. Harrap and Co., 1938 and Manchester of yesterday, Altrincham : Sherratt, 1958.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

The album was presented to the Royal Commonwealth Society in April 1985 by J.L. Chapman of Egham, a relation to Stevens by marriage, via G. Milne of Twickenham.

Includes index.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

This collection is available on microfiche: South East Asia, fiche numbers 6-9.

The photographs are generally in fair condition, but with some overall yellowing and slight fading.

This collection level description was entered by KS using information from the original typescript catalogue.

Stevens, Thomas Harry Goldsworthy, 1883-1970