SEWELL, Robert.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Sir Walter Elliot of Wolfelee: A Sketch of his Life, and a few Extracts from his Note Books. First edition, out of series from an edition of 100 copies only, inscribed by Elliot's eldest daughter, Dorothea Helen Elliot-Lockhart (c.1842-1925), on the limitation page, "Emma E. Cruickshank. D.H.E.L." The recipient was likely Emma Margaret Elphinstone Cruickshank (née Elliot, 1841-1921), who was born in Madras into a different branch of the Elliot family. She was also a relation of the Earl of Minto.Sir Walter Elliot (1803-1887) joined the East India Company in 1819 and reached Madras in 1820. "Elliot's delight lay in languages: he became fluent in Arabic, Marathi, Persian, and Telugu... [By 1833] his reputation as an adventurer, antiquarian, historian, big-game hunter, and linguist was well established" (ODNB). In 1836, he was appointed private secretary in the Madras presidency of his cousin, Lord Elphinstone, and served in India until after the rebellion. In retirement, "he spent most of the rest of his life at the family home at Wolfelee, Roxburghshire... He turned his house into a veritable museum of coins, inscriptions, and memorabilia, where he welcomed many visitors and scholars" (ODNB).

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