Processed by: Archives Staff ; machine-readable finding aid created by:Eric Weig
Darbishire family papers, 1751-1948
1883-1919 (bulk dates)
University of Kentucky Special CollectionsLexington, Kentucky 40506
Organized: Correspondence, Writings, Miscellaneous papers, Letters from Arnold Toynbee to Robert Darbishire (on film). Chronological arrangement.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Darbishire family papers, 1751-1948, 1883-1919 (bulk dates), 1M62M68, Special Collections, University of Kentucky.
6.8 cubic ft. (ca. 5,500 pieces)
In 1885, Anne Steele Shelby, daughter of Isaac Shelby III, married Godfrey Darbishire of Manchester, England, the son of Robert Dukinfield Darbishire, a prominent attorney and philanthropist. Godfrey died in 1889, and Anne moved to England with her son, Robert Shelby Darbishire, to live with her late husband's family. Robert later attended Rugby and Balliol College, Oxford. At Balliol, he met and became friends with Arnold Toynbee, later to be famous as a historian. Anne and Robert returned to Kentucky in 1910, but Robert returned often to Europe, serving with the Near East Relief Expedition in 1919- 1921, and teaching in Athens from 1926-1929. He married Ruth Whiting in 1920.
This collection contains papers from six generations of the Shelby family of Kentucky, and four generations of the Darbishires of England and America. Letters written to Anne Steele Darbishire and her son, Robert Shelby Darbishire, during their residence in England and travels on the Continent constitute the bulk of the collection. Robert Shelby Darbishire's writings, including poems, articles and essays, along with other papers belonging to him, also comprise a considerable part of the collection. Microfilmed letters to Robert Darbshire from his college friend, Arnold Toynbee, are included in the collection. Also included are some earlier papers of members of the Shelby family, including Evan, Isaac, and Isaac Shelby, Jr. Letters and journals of Robert Dukinfield Darbishire and Godfrey Darbishire are also included, as are legal documents, canceled checks, pamphlets and other papers. Photographic materials were removed to the library's Photographic Archives.