Thomas Watts (1811-1869)

Thomas Watts was a Librarian at the British Museum. He became assistant keeper of books in 1856 and ten years later he was appointed keeper of printed books. He was largely responsible for developing the museum's print collections especially its foreign language translations. Between 1851 and 1860 he ordered eighty thousand books and examined six hundred thousand titles. He died unexpectedly in 1869 and was buried in Highgate Cemetery. 

"It is certainly one of the most striking features in the

unprecedented popularity of Uncle Tom’s Cabin that it

has been translated into so many languages…"

In this detailed five page letter written to Sampson Low in December 1858, Thomas Watts discusses Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and its translation into several languages, many of which he outlines. He also reveals that he has suggested to the then British Museum's Principal (Head) Librarian, Anthony Panizzi (1797-1879) that it would be of interest to collect all of the language versions of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' for the museum. 

He includes an undated newspaper cutting regarding the book's translation in Italy. Please note: this newspaper clipping contains racially offensive language. 

View Thomas Watt's letter [opens in a new window]

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