Identity area
Reference code
Linant de Bellefonds MSS
Title
Date(s)
- 1818-1826 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
1 box, 2 negative boxes, and 1 package
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
French geographer, explorer, artist, and engineer. Born, Lorient 1799. Died, Cairo 1883. Initially trained with the intention of serving in the Navy, and after passing the necessary exam in 1814, he was sent to help with the charting and surveying of the Canadian and USA coastlines in 1815. He then accompanied A. Come de Forbin on a expedition to the Near East, 1817. This led in 1817 to a opportunity to make maps and drawings in Egypt required for various publications. Whilst in Cairo, he was engaged by Muhammad Ali. Then from 1819-22 he was employed by W. Bankes to accompany him as a draughtsman on several expeditions which ventured as south as Meroe, Musauwarat el-Sofra and Naga, giving him the distinction of being the first European to see these sites. He travelled even further south for the Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior Parts of Africa. Assisted J. F. Champollion in 1828. Published several maps of Egypt. Later he used his skills for the planning of irrigation projects and was heavily involved with the construction of the Suez Canal.
Archival history
(1) Typescripts of diary. The original diary is part of the estate of W. J. Bankes, now in the possession of the National Trust.
(2) Negatives and prints made for the Griffith Institute from the Linant de Bellefonds MSS, in Paris, Musée National du Louvre.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
(1) Transcript made by the Griffith Institute from the diary, which was lent to the Institute along with the Bankes MSS between 1939-61.
(2) The negatives and prints were made by the Musée National du Louvre, Paris.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
3 copies (1 typescript and two carbon-copies) made from the diary (1821-2), glass negatives, and modern prints (1818-26).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Kept as received.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions. Consultation only.
Conditions governing reproduction
(1) Diary, copyright the National Trust.
(2) Negatives and prints, copyright Musée National du Louvre, Paris.
Language of material
- French
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
No problems.
Finding aids
Catalogue.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The original diary is at Kingston Lacy, Dorset, the whole estate is owned by the National Trust.
The negatives and prints are made from originals in Paris, Musée National du Louvre.
Existence and location of copies
-The material in the GI Archive are copies.
-Another copy of the diary in Musée National du Louvre, Paris.
Related units of description
Publication note
Not published.