Archive of William Sterndale Bennett acquired from the Odling family | Manuscripts and Archives at Oxford University

Details

This item is described in 1 online catalogue.?

For the main catalogue entry, see: Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts

Description

From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts

This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.

Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.

Title

Archive of William Sterndale Bennett acquired from the Odling family

Shelfmark

MSS. Odling Sterndale Bennett 1-90

Summary

Archive of the composer William Sterndale Bennett previously with the Odling family, 1785-1994, n.d.

Date

1785-1994, n.d.

Language

English

Physical extent

3.0 Linear metres

90 boxes

Custodial history

The following custodial history was provided by Barry Sterndale-Bennett:

In the 19th century it was not uncommon for the effects of deceased persons to be placed in auction and bought back by the family as a means of determining probate values. William Sterndale Bennett (referred hereafter as Bennett or WSB) was a prolific collector of music albeit his library largely derived from gifts. Following his death in 1875 two important auctions took place in London, which attracted much attention. Approximately a quarter was sold to third parties. The remainder was inherited in roughly equal amounts by Bennett's children. Charles (1845-1923) the eldest son was not musically inclined and little is known of him. He emigrated to Holland where he died with no issue. However on Christmas Eve 1878 he sold his portion to his younger brother James Robert (1847-1928), who played a crucial role in the development and upkeep of the library.

On the death of James Robert the material passed to his son Robert (1880-1963), who was for many years Director of Music at Uppingham School. His son Robin (1914-2006), a Naval Officer, did not want to assume the responsibility so it came to his son, Barry, in 1974 as next in line of the succeeding generation. Following the death of his wife at the end of 2005, he moved from Longparish and at that point decided to deposit the library in the Bodleian. This portion of the collection is catalogued separately.

The remaining third passed to the composer's daughter, Elizabeth Donn Bennett (1848-1927) who married Thomas Case (1844-1925) in 1870. Case later became the Waynflete Professor of Moral and Metaphysical Philosophy at Oxford and, from 1904, President of Corpus Christi College. Their daughter married into the Odling family and this part of the Bennett archive was, until recently, in the possession of the late Tom and Hilary Odling of Chipping Campden. The collection was accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by HM Government from the estate of Hilary Katharine Odling in 2020 and allocated to the Bodleian. It is this collection which is described here, catalogued separately from the part of the collection which descended through the Sterndale-Bennett side of the family.

Acquisition

Accepted by HM Government in Lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Bodleian Library, 10 Jul 2020.

Subject

Composers -- England -- Manuscripts

Songs with piano

Cantatas, Secular

Sonatas (Piano)

Piano music

Incidental music

Music -- Manuscripts -- 19th century

Composers -- Correspondence

Music

Symphonies

Oratorios

Anthems

Hymn tunes

Overtures

Concertos (Piano)

19th century

View full record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts

See this collection

Requesting: For information on how to request items from this collection, see Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.

Connections

People associated with this object

Related items

View full record

See these itemsFind out how to request these items

Not available online