Letter 2151

Charlett lists the books he wants to acquire for the Bodleian Library. He relays some minor occurrences at the University of Oxford. Mr Hansted, the bearer, was recommended to him by Mr Bagford. Charlett requests that Sloane show the man his collection of curiosities. Charlett asks Sloane to edit Mr Whiteside’s course of experiments which was to be printed. Charlett was elected Master of University College at Oxford in 1692 and held that post until his death in 1722. Charlett used the mastership to gain influence, especially through persistent letter-writing to numerous correspondents, sharing the latest literary, political, and scholarly gossip (R. H. Darwall-Smith, Charlett, Arthur (16551722), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/5158, accessed 1 June 2011]).