British Museum (Natural History): Department of Mineralogy: Authorisations from Trustees...

This series consists of the British Museum (Natural History) Department of Mineralogy's authorisations from trustees meetings.

This series consists of memoranda written as a result of decisions taken at the meetings of the Standing Committee of the Board of Trustees. They were received by the Keeper and held in his office. Pieces pre-dating 1857 must have originally been filed with the Department of Geology authorisations in DF 104/1-7. Pieces predating 1881 are mostly signed by the Secretary to the Board, and later ones by the Director of the Natural History Museum.

The subject matter of the authorisations includes the purchase, exchange and donation of specimens, the granting of salary increments and special leave, the promotion, retirement and appointment of staff, the work of associates and other volunteers, matters to do with publications, and with accommodation for the Department. Although most of the memoranda authorise action, some refuse requests made by the Keeper.

Pieces 1-35 dated 1798-1837 are copies made by Lazarus Fletcher from the original trustees minutes, which he prepared in 1903 while writing the departmental chapter for The History of the Collections.

Series held at The Natural History Museum are catalogued more fully in its online catalogue (reference DF MIN/5). Online descriptions of some individual records can also be viewed on Discovery, see DF 5.

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