Bruin, Cornelis de (1652-1719)

The main part of these manuscripts is a translation into English of part of the published account of de Bruin's travels. There is also a transcription of a small portion of Sir John Chardin's travels. The first volume is signed by Joseph Smith, probably Joseph Smith whose biographical details are noted under the appropriate heading, and some of the manuscripts are in his hand.

c.1750

2 volumes Manuscript, bound.

Volume 1 (MS. 1378) comprises part of Chardin's travels and chapters 15-16 and 50-68 (part) of de Bruin's. Volume 2 (MS. 1379) comprises chapters 17-49 of de Bruin's travels.

Purchased from Hodgson's, London, July 1931

John Chardin was born in London in 1643, the son of a jeweller. As a jewel merchant himself he travelled extensively in Persia and India, publishing an account of his travels, before settling first in Paris and then in London. He died in 1719. Cornelis de Bruin was born in 1652. He travelled through Russia to the East Indies, publishing an account of his travels. He died in 1719. Joseph Smith was born c.1710 and matriculated at Queens' College, Oxford, in 1728. He obtained the degree of D.C.L. in 1740. He died at Kidlington, Oxford, in 1776 (this is noted in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1776, p.483).

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973). 379