Tichborne Case - Papers and books, 1871-1895

MLMSS 6214/Box 1
MLMSS 6214/Box 2X

fonds

1871-1895

Textual Records, Clippings

134616

Microfilm : CY 4324, frames 1-413 (MLMSS 6214/1-2X).
Microfilm : MAV/FM4/10880, frames 1-395 (C 2865).

0.60 metres of textual material (1 box, 1 outsize box)
Textual Records - (printed)
Clippings
Textual Records

The Tichborne Case was one of the most notorious legal battles of Victorian England. Roger Tichborne, heir to a baronetcy, was lost at sea off the coast of South America in 1854 when the ship he was travelling on was wrecked. Some years later Lady Tichborne advertised world-wide for her son, having maintained the belief that he had survived the shipwreck. Thomas Castro, a butcher from Wagga Wagga, answered the advertisement and, despite the fact that he shared no similarity in appearance, knowledge and background with the missing heir, was accepted by Lady Tichborne as her son. A long and costly legal case ensued when Castro, whose real name was Arthur Orton, attemped to gain possession of the Tichborne estates. The case having finally failed in 1871, Orton was tried for perjury, found guilty and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. He died in 1898.

MLMSS 6214/Box 1
The entire life and full confession of Arthur Orton, the Tichborne Claimant, (written by himself): his remarkable life and astounding revelations. A volume of newscuttings, 1895

MLMSS 6214/Box 2X
Tichborne Album. A scrapbook containing newscuttings of the trial, poems, facsimile letters, posters, pamphlets, cartoons and engravings. Includes twelve original letters seven of which were written by Orton, 1872-73, and signed R.C.D. Tichborne, 1871-1875 (compiled 1875)

ML C 2864
The goings on of Mrs Brown at the Tichborne trial and in her own family by Mr Brown. London, John Camden Hotter, 1873

ML C 2865
The trial at bar of Sir R.C.D. Tichborne, Bart., by Dr Kenealy. London, "Englishman" Office, 1875

See also the published account of the Tichborne Trial, 23 Apr. 1873 - 28 Feb. 1874 (9 vols., London, 'Englishman' Office, 1875-1880) copied onto 5 reels of preservation microfilm: MAV/FM4/10880-10884 (ZML Q343.1/4A1-9).