Newman's Autographic Remains

Included in the archives of the Birmingham Oratory, which were digitized in 2012, are two scrap books compiled by Newman. He labeled these his Autographic Remains. They contain letters, notes, sketches and other items related to his formative years between his 1806 and the death of his mother in 1836.

The two volumes have been scanned and published online in their original combined format as left by Newman for sometime now.

Volume One
Volume Two

It became apparent, however, that it would be beneficial to also have the letters contained in these scrapbooks individually included in the digital collections.

I have selected fifty items from the scrap books to be separated out, fourteen of these are letters from Newman: six to his mother, three to his father and three to his sisters, with their replies. There are also letters from Pusey, Keble, and his Aunt Elizabeth.

This small collection gives us a snapshot into the life and thoughts of the young Newman from the age of five, through his school days at Ealing, and his university career at Oxford. These are of great importance to understanding his emotional development.

In this letter to the five year old Newman his father gives him advice about education.

This letter from the seven year old Newman to his mother is the earliest surviving example of his handwriting.