Danson Family archive

This collection is a rare example of a complete middle-class family archive. The main sections of the archive relate to the main male members of the family: John Danson (1766-1847), William Danson (1793-1844), John Towne Danson (1817-1898), Sir Francis Chatillon Danson (1855-1926), John West Wood Danson (1853-c.1911), John Raymond Danson (1893-1975) and Edith Danson (c.1870-1950), wife of Sir Francis. The family was extremely well educated and travelled, and the records in the Danson collection relate to their many varied interests and journeys or residence abroad. John Danson became Liverpool’s leading barber and perfumer. His son, William Danson, was an unsuccessful lawyer. More is known about John Towne Danson to whom the bulk of the archive relates. He was, in his lifetime, a journalist specialising in economic and social affairs, a farmer, barrister and marine insurance underwriter. From about 1852 until his death in 1898, he kept copies of all his letters, diaries and accounts, that are illustrated with photographs and sketches. He was interested in philosophy, economics, statistics, politics and science. His son, Francis Chatillon, was an average adjuster, connoisseur and patron of the School of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Archaeology and Liverpool University. His famous collection of antiquities was bequested to National Museums Liverpool. He was knighted on account of his work for the Admiralty during the First World War. The collection includes copies of his correspondence from various parties regarding his business and interests, and also the correspondence and diaries of Edith Danson, wife of Francis. John Raymond Danson was the younger son of Francis Chatillon and Edith, who served in both World Wars, and was made a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the Fourth Battalion Cheshire Regiment at Dunkirk during the Second World War. John Raymond continued his father’s patronage of the School of Tropical Medicine and exhibited antiquities collected by his father. Documents in this part of the collection include his correspondence, diaries and copies of his accounts. Lockett Family Collection, 1853-1908: John Towne Danson married into the Lockett family of Llangollen and he took charge of their affairs. Members of the family emigrated to Australia and Canada and the collection includes papers relating to arrangements made prior to emigration, personal logs and correspondence between J.G.W. Lockett (1833-1878), Edmund Lockett (1837-1908), Elizabeth Mary Lockett (1845-post 1861) and J.T. Danson. For further details see the attached catalogue or contact The Archives Centre for a copy of the catalogue.