The Creevey Papers
A Selection from the Correspondence and Diaries of the Late Thomas Creevey, M.P.

Edited in 1903, Creevey's papers are an amusing and gossipy source of early nineteenth-century English political and social history.

Thomas Creevey (Author), Herbert Maxwell (Edited by)

9781108044974, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 February 2012

408 pages, 9 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm, 0.52 kg

Thomas Creevey (1768–1838) was a Whig politician, diarist and letter-writer, whose papers provide an important source for the history of the early nineteenth century. Although a relatively poor man, he was adept at making friends with important people, and received hospitality and financial help from them. His letters are full of gossip, often indiscreet, giving a vivid picture of the society and politics of the day. They form an interesting comparison with the papers of his contemporaries, J. W. Croker, who as a Tory was in power for most of the period in question, and Charles Greville (both available in this series). Creevey is perhaps best remembered for his description of Brussels during Napoleon's 'Hundred Days'. This two-volume work edited by Sir Herbert Maxwell (1845–1937) was first published in 1903. Volume 2 covers the period 1820–37, and the accession of Victoria, described here as a 'homely little being'.

1. 1821. Queen Caroline's establishment
2. 1822. Creevey's activity
3. 1823–4. A young lady's letters
4. 1825–6. Two Scottish divines
5. 1817. Liverpool's last illness
6. 1827–8. Return to Croxteth
7. 1828. An obsequious cicerone
8. 1829. Catholic emancipation
9. 1830–1. Brougham's literary schemes
10. 1832–3. The prospects of the Bill
11. 1833. The Court at Windsor
12. 1834. Creevey's office threatened
13. 1835–6. Creevey as an onlooker
14. 1837–8. Death of Mrs. Fitzherbert
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]