Collection RS11 - Knopwood Letters

Index to RS11

Identity area

Reference code

AU TAS UTAS SPARC RS11

Title

Knopwood Letters

Date(s)

  • 1823-1836 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

2 files

Context area

Name of creator

(1763-1838)

Biographical history

Robert Knopwood (1763–1838), clergyman, was the son of a gentleman farmer in Norfolk. The family struggled against debts and Robert's only inheritance was the family silver. After gaining his MA at Oxford, he entered the Anglican ministry in 1788. One of his first sermons, the theme of which was repeated often during his life, demonstrated his belief that his duty was to make known the Christian Gospel which should be put into practice by his hearers. He joined the Navy as a chaplain in 1801, was appointed to Collins' expedition, and arrived at Port Phillip in 1803. From that time he acted not only as cleric but also as magistrate.

Knopwood kept a diary which gives a valuable record of colonial life in a new colony. He was a genial character who mixed with all classes of people; and despite later criticism by higher authority managed to give a relatively unbiased account of the early turbulent years of settlement. Governor Macquarie was not an admirer – criticising Knopwood's support of Collins against Bligh – and Knopwood has been criticised for his harshness as a magistrate, but his treatment of guilty persons was typical for the times. His adoption of a 'poor orphan child', Elizabeth Mack (later Morrisby) showed the sympathetic side of his nature, and he became a friend and supporter of Catholic chaplain Conolly. Despite recurrent attacks of illness, he continued to carry out his clerical duties, and died in 1838, his last sermon stating his view of humanity: 'it consists of supporting the Man, and maintaining the Christian'. For more information see http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/knopwood-robert-bobby-2314

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Presented by Miss M. Hookey, 1943

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Collection consists of letters received by Knopwood dated 1823, 1826 &1828 also correspondence about 'Cottage Green' dated 1824-26 and 1835-36

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

This material is made available for personal research and study purposes under the University of Tasmania Standard Copyright Licence. For any further use permission should be obtained from the copyright owners. For assistance please contact Special.Collections@utas.edu.au

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

HE Apr.2020

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related subjects

Related people and organizations

Related genres

Related places