Mss Eur F594/10/5-14

Memoirs of Arthur Moore Bennett, consisting of a two series of typescript volumes. The first series of six typescript volumes, compiled c. 1922-1927, covers the period 1866 to 1925. Volume for the period 1915 to 1917 is lacking, and not all volumes of the memoir are complete. The memoirs include pasted in postcards, drawings, maps, and black & white photographs.

The second series consists of four soft backed volumes for the period 1927 to 1940, initially entitled 'Leaves from A Life'. Volume for the period Dec 1933 to Jun 1935 is lacking. They appear to have been compiled in 1939-1940.

The first volumes includes an introduction to the Moore Bennett's views on Society, as well as an introduction to the Moore Bennett family, and details of his childhood and youth. The greater part of the memoir is taken up with Moore Bennett's travels, particularly in Canada, Australasia and South East Asia, including Burma, and his subsequent life in China. The diaries include ethnographic details relating to the people encountered by Moore Bennett, including their customs and behaviour (including sexual behaviour). They also include details relating to the countryside, archaeology, and flora and fauna of the countries visited, as well as Moore Bennett's work as a surveyor and engineer. They also include details of Moore Bennett's medical knowledge including treatment of individuals for venereal disease, wounds, eye diseases etc. and assistance in childbirth. The memoirs in China include details of Moore Bennett's life with his wife Dolly (Dorothy) in Peking, as well as his travels though China and Mongolia. All of the memoirs include Moore Bennett's personal views on life and politics, as well as descriptions and views of friends and acquaintances he meets throughout his life that are not always complimentary. Subsequent volumes include Moore Bennett's relationship with Helen Latimer, a nurse, who he views as his wife, Dolly's subsequent return to England, and Moore Bennett and Helen's travels in the yacht Medea.

Content warning: The papers of Arthur Moore Bennett (1877-1950) contain his personal views and opinions, with explicit language and terminology which today are deemed unacceptable and offensive and may cause upset.