Manuscripts of Donald MacPherson.
Scope and Contents
Donald MacPherson is described in ‘Cairm’, volume 25, page 207. He was born in Laggan, Badenoch, about 1788 (MS.14891, page 124). He served in the 75th Regiment for fourteen years, and reached the rank of sergeant. On leaving the army he married Mary Stacey, a native of Richmond-on-Thames, and entered business as a bookseller at 54 Upper Ebury Street, Pimlico. In 1824 he published some of his English poems as ‘Melodies from the Gaelic’. This achieving some success, he proposed another work, describing it thus (MS.14894, folio 127);: “Poems and Songs in the Gaëlic Language; with English songs adapted to Gaelic Melodies … To which will be annexed as many of the Gaelic Works of Lachlan Macpherson Esq. of Strathmashie, as can be now recovered”. This was never published. Much of the material seems to survive in MS.14894, but only one poem by Strathmashie is included.
Most of Donald MacPherson’s compositions are romantic and pastoral in nature. In addition he was an amateur historian, and hoped to publish a two-volume ‘History of the Clan-Chattain’ (MS.14895, folio ii). Again, this never appeared, but MS.14895 consists largely of materials for it.
The flyleaves etc., of the notebooks bear numerous names and addresses. MacPherson was Gaelic secretary to the Highland Society of London while James Logan, author of ‘The Scottish Gael’, was English secretary.
Dates
- Creation: 1st half of 19th century.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
6 Volumes
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Custodial History
Donald MacPherson presented one manuscript - presumably MS.14892 to Dr Alexander Halley of Harley Street, leaving others to the Highland Society of London. In 1870 these were in Halley’s safe-keeping. (MS.14894, folio 255). Halley’s initials appear in MSS.14891 and 14893. A number of items have been marked ‘PPMS’ (Pimlico Package MS) by James E MacPherson, a historian of the Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
MSS.14891-14895 were deposited, 1977, by the Highland Society of London.
Bibliography
MacPherson, Donald. Melodies from the Gaelic’ (London, 1824).
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk