Fernando Palha collection of Portuguese historical autographs
Item
Country
US
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
eng
Contact information: postal address
Harvard Yard, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138
Contact information: phone number
001 (617) 495 2440
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
Houghton_Library@harvard.edu
Reference number
MS Port 19
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (official language of the state)
Fernando Palha collection of Portuguese historical autographs
Language of title
eng
Creator / accumulator
Fernando Palha
Date(s)
1523/1890
Language(s)
fra
lat
por
spa
Extent
0.46 linear metres (3 boxes)
Type of material
Graphic Material
Textual Material
Scope and content
This collection comprises letters and documents from the 16th to the 19th century collected by Portuguese historian and public official Fernando Palha (1851-1897). The documents are signed by influential figures in the history of Portugal, including members of the Portuguese and other European royal families and political, cultural, and religious leaders. In addition to letters and documents, there are some manuscripts of poems and a few photographs.
This collection includes letters written by several personalities to the court of King João III of Portugal, some referring to members of the Mendes Benveniste family and Álvaro Mendes, alias Solomon Aben Yaesh. These letters were published by Jeremiah D. M. Ford (1931).
This collection includes letters written by several personalities to the court of King João III of Portugal, some referring to members of the Mendes Benveniste family and Álvaro Mendes, alias Solomon Aben Yaesh. These letters were published by Jeremiah D. M. Ford (1931).
Archival history
This collection was donated to the Houghton Library by John B. Stetson, Jr. (1854-1952), who had acquired it from the library of Fernando Palha (1851-1897). The collection entered the library on December 3, 1928.
Administrative / Biographical history
Fernando Palha Osório Cabral (1851-1897) was a Portuguese historian, book collector and public official. After completing his studies in Law at the University of Coimbra, he pursued a political career. In 1884, he was elected President of the Partido Regenerador (Regenerator Party). Later, he adhered to the Partido Progressista (Progressive Party) and was elected member of the Portuguese Parliament. From 1886 to 1890, he was the Mayor of Lisbon.
His research was primarily devoted to the role played by the Marquis of Castelo Melhor during the reigns of Afonso VI and Pedro II of Portugal. In order to support this research, he acquired a precious collection of manuscripts and printed books. In 1896, shortly before his death, a catalogue of his library was published: Catalogue de la Bibliothèque de M. Fernando Palha.
His research was primarily devoted to the role played by the Marquis of Castelo Melhor during the reigns of Afonso VI and Pedro II of Portugal. In order to support this research, he acquired a precious collection of manuscripts and printed books. In 1896, shortly before his death, a catalogue of his library was published: Catalogue de la Bibliothèque de M. Fernando Palha.
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by author.
Access, restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Digital copies of some materials are available online:
Digital copies of some materials are available online:
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2022
Published primary sources
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Houghton Library, Harvard University | Collections (official language of the state) |