Commonplace Collections 78327-78333. EVELYN PAPERS. Vols CLX-CLXVI. Commonplace books or adversaria of John Evelyn; [1649-1703?]. Mostly autograph, but begun by Richard Hoare, the professional scribe whom Evelyn brought from England to Paris with him in 1649 to help `reduce my studies into a method’ (to Sir Richard Browne, 14 June 1649; Add. MS 78221), and continued by Evelyn himself after Hoare had left his service. Evelyn in Memoires for my Grandson, p. 44, recommends the making of com...
Devotional Manuscripts 78360-78392. EVELYN PAPERS. Vols CXCIII, CCXXV. These are the most extensive category in the archive. They consist of notes and commentaries on the Bible, sermon notes, essays on religious subjects, but chiefly of private devotional works and meditations. Many of them were written or adapted for, or otherwise associated with Margaret Blagge (1652-1678), the maid of honour at the Restoration court, with whom Evelyn made a pact of spiritual friendship in October 1672...
Papers relating to Public Offices and Affairs 78393-78401. EVELYN PAPERS. Vols CCXXVI-CCXXXIV. Papers of Evelyn relating to public offices and public affairs; 1660-1701. Evelyn was actively involved in the Restoration of Charles II and afterwards sought public office. He hinted at the possibility of being appointed Historiographer Royal and hoped for the reversion of his father-in-law’s post of Clerk of the Council, but did not succeed in either. However Charles II used him as a governme...